One Way Traffic (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
One Way Traffic could surprise in Gold Cup
The gelding appeals as the value each-way bet in Sunday’s grade 3 race at Greyville
10th Race: (1) Mr Master Starter (7) African Skyline (9) Smith And Wesson (8) Love In Winter
See It Again (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
See It Again To End Season As Champion
Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)
Michael Roberts was in two minds as to whether he should run his star colt See It Again in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July seeing that his charge would carry a big weight for a three-year-old and that he may have a better chance next year, being twelve months older and stronger.
In the end, See It Again took his chances and came within a head of pulling off a famous victory in South Africa’s premier race.
See It Again and Charles Dickens are head-and-shoulders the best three-year-old’s this season and probably the best two colts in training, the former over a middle distance and the latter over a mile, but victory in the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow for See It Again could well earn him top honours in the end of season awards. He ran a tremendous race when touched off in the July, giving his older rival 3.5kg. Roberts says that his charge is sound and fully recovered from the July which is always a lung-buster.
Zapatillas has not found the form that saw him winning the Gr2 WSB KZN Guineas last season but has had his problems and was off the track for some time after that win. He finished a creditable third behind Charles Dickens and Al Muthana in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, his first run in just over three months, and he could be the dark horse in the race.
Something of an unknown, even given her record is the filly Princess Calla. Sean Tarry’s mare sprints and goes a mile comfortably but the question is whether she can step up to the extra furlong against top class male opposition. There is no doubting her ability but this will be an acid test.
Gr1 L’ Ormarins King’s Plate winner Al Muthana was completely out-pointed by Charles Dickens in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, reversing the order in the King’s Plate. In the King’s Plate it may well have been that the rider of Charles Dickens was over confident and caught napping. The Champions Cup is a furlong further, but on a line through Charles Dickens, Al Muthana should not be able to match See It Again (who beat Charles Dickens over 2000m in the Splashout Cape Derby).
Trip Of Fortune made the trip from Cape Town to land the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, a rare achievement for horses making the trip from Cape Town to the rarified air of the Highveld. However, he was well beaten by Charles Dickens and Al Muthana in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, but was subsequently supplemented for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July where he was never certain to see out the trip under top weight. This race will be more within his range.
Dave The King is a tremendous looker but was no match for See It Again in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 where he made most of the running but could not go with his rival when it counted. It was a similar case in the Hollywoodbets Durban July but you write off a De Kock-trained horse at your peril as this 1800m trip will be right up his alley.
There are four Grade 1 races on the ten-race card, all ten races being features and races two to 10 giving punters the opportunity to bet into the massive world tote pools.
One of the most eagerly awaited races will be the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champions Stakes as it has the makings of a brilliant contest. Lucky Lad does not have the best of draws but was a facile winner of the Gr1 Gold Medallion. He is unbeaten and has hardly been challenged in his four starts to date. Giving others hope is that he steps up to this trip for the first time from a draw that has beaten some of the best in the past. On the other hand, the unbeaten Main Defender has won both starts in good fashion for his new stable and given his pedigree the step up in trip should be right up his alley. He also has the benefit of a favourable draw. Sandringham Summit has drawn one outside of Lucky Lad and came from an almost impossible position when winning the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe. He has an electric turn of pace as he showed when coming from last so the draw may not be too much of a disadvantage. These three look the principal contenders.
The Gr1 Mercury Sprint is a competitive contest but Gimme A Prince can seal top honours as the season’s champion sprinter with victory in this WFA contest. He is over his best trip and was a cracking winner of the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint carrying top weight in a handicap beating his smart younger rival Thunder Struck. There is a 5.5kg turn around in the weights in favour of Gimme A Prince which should in theory confirm the Golden Horse result. A more likely danger is Isivunguvungu although Peter Muscutt’s charge has been confined to 1000m. He was beaten by Gimme A Prince in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship but has subsequently won the Gr1 Computaform Sprint. If he can see out the extra furlong, he could turn the tables on his rival although he has a wider draw to contend with.
The World Pool Gold Cup has been downgraded to Gr3 but is still a major drawcard for the country’s top stayers. Future Pearl has cracking staying form and is a winner of the Gr2 Gold Bowl and the G2 Gold Vase, both races over marathon trips. He carries a half-kilo less than he did in the 3000m Gold Vase, a race that he won with plenty in hand. He has a good draw and he must have a strong chance of earning stayer of the year if he can pull this one off.
Given the compressed weights for this year’s race, last year’s winner Shangani is in with a fighting chance in spite of lumping 60kg to victory. He has been lightly raced since his last win and caught the eye when running on for fourth in a slow-run Tack & Ball Derby. He should strip at his peak.
Lyle Hewitson teamed up with Nebraas to win this race two years back and will be aboard Sean Tarry’s runner again as he takes a break after the Hong Kong season. Nebraas has been a little off form of late but stays well and Tarry has a knack of priming his horses for the occasion.
The Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes is the final Grade 1 on the day and it is a tricky contest. Distant Winter may just have needed her run in the Gr2 Golden Slipper behind Mrs Geriatrix as she had some smart Cape Town form before that. The Slipper run should have brought her on nicely and from a good draw she should make a bold bid. Sean Tarry has another lively feature runner in Let’s Go Now who has won her last two over the trip which is always a bonus in these races. She also has the benefit of a good draw to add to her chances. Egyptian Mau has been up against the best in recent features. She took on males in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and may well have finished closer except for interference. Richard Fourie takes over in the saddles and she will be a big runner.
Garth Puller, champion jockey and champion trainer (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
KZN Champion Trainer Puller Heaps Praise On Colleague Michael Roberts
Garth Puller is the KZN Champion trainer for the second time having accumulated 60 wins in KZN for the season.
HKJC World Pool Gold Cup Day Formguides And Selections
Gold Circle
1 OUTLAW KING 4 READY TO CHARGE 7 JUST BE LEKKER 3 MOUNT PILATUS
Summary: OUTLAW KING (1) has been disappointing since his arrival in KZN for Champions Season. He made a promising debut in the Godolphin Barb at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and was second best behind runaway winner Lucky Lad in the Grade 1 Gold medallion over the same course and distance. On that evidence he was sent pout favourite for his latest outing but did not go on with his effort. All three of his runs have been in yielding going and with the going likely to be on top and from the best of the draw he may be worth another chance. READY TO CHARGE (4) comes from a strong Highveld yard and after an easy debut victory was a close-up third in a useful Juvenile field. He was running on late that day and should be a contender here. JUST BE LEKKER (7) is one of two fillies in the line-up and is unbeaten in both starts to date. She appears to be well above average in spite of her lowly rating and has been pitted against males in preference to taking on her own sex in the Debutante Stakes. MOUNT PILATUS (3) was making up ground quickly when touched off on the poly track last time out in his first start for a new stable. He is capable of a few lengths improvement back on turf. LET THE FLAG FLY (9) looks held on current form but this stable can fly them up on occasion and he is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-7-3-9)
2
2 ORIENTAL BOUQUET 13 THE CHARLSTON 5 MOVING IN 3 LEAVING LAS VEGAS
Summary: Tough race with many in with winning chances. ORIENTAL BOUQUET (2) was beaten a piece of paper in a smart field last time out and an objection against the winner was over ruled. Her previous run is best ignored as she ran into a myriad of problems. The stable rates her highly and from a good draw she should be a major contender. THE CHARLSTON (13) has the worst of the draw but came off some useful Cape Town form when down the field from another tricky draw behind Oriental Bouquet. That was her first run since February and she is sure to have come on from that effort. MOVING IN (5) was running on stoutly in that same race and was possibly a little unlucky finding her way through traffic and can finish a lot closer to the selection. LEAVING LAS VEGAS (3) went into the Gr1 Allan Robertson unbeaten in two and finished a creditable sixth behind the leading juvenile filly Mrs Geriatrix. She was well supported in the betting that day and from a good inside draw must have a strong winning chance. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (12) also has a difficult draw to contend with but Lyle Hewitson will have been well tested in Hong Kong. (Andrew Harrison: 2-13-3-5-12)
3
1 COSMIC HIGHWAY 14 QUASIFORSURE 6 LORD WILLIAM 5 CAPTAIN FONTANE
Summary: COSMIC HIGHWAY (1) could be the pick of the Dean Kannemeyer trio with stable and contracted Kaya Stables rider Keagan de Melo aboard. He has had one sprint-up since arriving in KZN where he caught the eye when running on late from a wide draw and the step up in trip could be what he’s looking for. Peter Muscutt was trying for QUASIFORSURE (14) to qualify for the Hollywoodbets Durban July field but it became fairly obvious that the trip was out of his compass after two starts further than a mile. He is back over his preferred trip this time around but barrier 14 is not in his favour. He does, however, have a smart turn of foot and given the right pace he will be a big runner. LORD WILLIAM (6) has been trying further in feature company finishing third in both races that he contested. He is more effective over this shorter trip and has a strong winning chance. CAPTAIN FONTANE (5) is seldom out of the money and his last win was over course and distance. He is highly regarded in the stable and with strong heavy-weight rider in Bernard Fayd’Herbe aboard he should put in another bold showing. MERIDIUS (8) has been in good form on the Highveld and is over what looks to be his optimum trip. He took a six-point hit in the handicap after his last win but his stable is in very good form. (Andrew Harrison: 1-14-6-5-8).
4
7 BLESS MY STARS 9 HOLD MY HAND 5 DAWNOFANEWDAY 10 SILVER DARLING
Most pundits gave Sean Tarry’s filly BLESS MY STARS (7) very little chance in the Hollywoodbets Durban July but ran well above most expectations to finish third behind Winchester Mansion and star colt See It Again. She had smart Highveld form prior to that against her own sex and she does look to be the obvious choice in this line-up. HOLD MY HAND (9) has not been far off in the three features that she has contested during Champions Season although the Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m appeared to be just beyond her compass last time out. The drop in trip will suit and she should prove a solid threat to Bless My Stars. DAWNOFANEWDAY (5) was a game runner-up in the Track & Ball Oaks and may have found the trip just a little too far. She has better form over this shorter trip although she did get a six-point shunt up the handicap for her Oaks showing. SILVER DARLING (10) ran a shocker in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and it is best two draw a line through that showing. The stable has not had a happy Champions Season by their high standards but on her Woolavington Gr1 showing over course and distance she is in with a good chance. SAARTJIE (1) ran well below form in the Gr1 Woolavinton and is better judged on her narrow defeat in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas over a mile on this course. She has the best of the draw and Corne Orffer is up from Cape Town to ride. (Andrew Harrison: 7-9-5-10-1).
5
13 LUCKY LAD 5 MAIN DEFENDER 14 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT 2 LONGSWORD
Summary: This has the makings of a brilliant contest. LUCKY LAD (13) does not have the best of draws but was a facile winner of the Gr1 Gold Medallion. He is unbeaten and has hardly been challenged in this four starts to date. Giving others hope is that he steps up to this trip for the first time from a draw that has beaten some of the best in the past. On the other hand, the unbeaten MAIN DEFENDER (5) has won both starts in good fashion for his new stable and given his pedigree the step up in trip should be right up his alley. He also has the benefit of a favourable draw. SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (14) has draw one outside of Lucky Lad and came from an almost impossible position when winning the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. He has an electric turn of pace as he showed when coming from last so the draw may not be too much of a disadvantage. These three look the main contenders but Sean Tarry has a second string to his bow in the form of LONGSWORD (2) who although only having shed his maiden last time out, he does have a good draw and comes from a strong stable. (Andrew Harrison: 13-5-14-2).
6
4 GIMME A PRINCE 9 ISIVUNGUVUNGU 6 THUNDERSTRUCK 1 GLADATORIAN
Summary: This is a tough contest but GIMME A PRINCE (4) can seal top honours as the season’s best sprinter with victory in this WFA contest. He is over his best trip and was a cracking winner of the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint carrying top weight in a handicap beating his smart younger rival THUNDERSTRUCK (6). There is a 5.5kg turn around in the weights in favour of Gimme A Prince which should in theory confirm the Golden Horse result. A more likely danger is ISIVUNGUVUNGU (9) although Peter Muscutt’s charge has been confined to 1000m. He was beaten by Gimme A Prince in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship but has subsequently win the Gr1 Computaform Sprint. If he can see out the extra furlong, he could turn the tables on his rival although he has a wider draw to contend with. GLADATORIAN 91) caught most by surprise when winning at lengthy odds befor ethe lights went out on Hollywoodbets Durban July day when getting the better of Thunderstruck. He is 2kg worse off at the weights with Thunderstruck but does have pole position draw. (Andrew Harrison: 4-9-6-1).
7
3 FUTURE PEARL 6 SHANGANI 7 NEBRAAS 4 ARUMAGUM
Summary: FUTURE PEARL (3) has cracking staying form and is a winner of the Gr2 Gold Bowl and the G2 Gold Vase, both races over marathon trips. He carries a half-kilo less than he did in the 3000m Gold Vase, a race that he won with plenty in hand. He has a good draw and he must have a strong chance of earning stayer of the year of he can pull this one off. Given the compress weights for this year’s race, last year’s winner SHANGANI (6) is in with a fighting chance of lumping 60kg to victory. He has been lightly raced since his last win and caught the eye when running on for fourth in a slow-run Tack & Ball Derby. He should strip at his peak. Lyle Hewitson teamed up with NEBRAAS (7) to win this race two years back and will be aboard Sean Tarry’s runner again as he takes a break after the Hong Kong season. Nebraas has been a little off form of late but stays well and Tarry has a knack of priming his horses for the occasion. ARUMUGAM (4) ran way below form in the Gold Vase after finishing second to Future Pearl in the Gold Bowl. Young apprentice Kayden Brewer gets on well with the gelding and it could make all the difference to his chances here. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-7-4).
8
11 SEE IT AGAIN 10 PRINCESS CALLA 1 DAVE THE KING 12 AL MUTHANA
Summary: SEE IT AGAIN (11) and Charles Dickens are streets ahead of the three-year-old rivals this season, the former over a middle distance and the latter over a mile. Victory for Michael Roberts’s charge could well earn him top honours in the end of season awards. He ran a tremendous race when touched off in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, giving his older rival 3.5kg. If he has recovered from that race which is always a lung-buster, then he should have this at his mercy. Something of an unknown, even given her record is the filly PRINCESS CALLA (10). She sprint and goes a mile comfortably but the question is whether she can step up the extra furlong against male opposition. There is no doubting her ability but this will be an acid test. AL MUTHANA (12) was completely out-pointed by Charles Dickens in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and although this race is a furlong further, on a line through Charles Dickens he should not be able to match See It Again. DAVE THE KING (1) was no match for See It Again in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 but you write off a De Kock horse at your peril as this 1800m trip will be right up his alley. (Andrew Harrison: 11-10-1-12).
9
4 DISTANT WINTER 2 LET’S GO NOW 9 EGYPTIAN MAU 3 BAVARIAN BEAUTY
Summary: Tricky. DISTANT WINTER (4) may just have needed her run in the Gr2 Golden Slipper behind Mrs Geriatrix as she had some smart Cape Town form before that. The Slipper run should have brought her on nicely and from a good draw she should make a bold bid. Sean Tarry has another lively feature runner in LET’S GO NOW (2) who has won her last two over the trip which is always a bonus in these races. She also has the benefit of a good draw to add to her chances. EGYPTIAN MAU (9) has been up against the best in recent features. She took on males in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and may well have finished closer except for find interference. Richard Fourie takes over in the saddles and she will be a big runner. BAVARIAN BEAUTY (3) has shown up well in her three sprints and given her pedigree should enjoy the step up in distance. She too has a favourable draw. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-9-3).
10
7 AFRICAN SKYLINE 1 MISTER MASTER STARTER 4 PRAY FOR RAIN 8 LOVE IN WINTER
Summary: Tough handicap to finish off the day. AFRICAN SKYLINE (7) has only once finished out of the money in 17 starts which is something of a remarkable record. He has finished runner-up in his last three and should finish close-up again from a mid-gate draw. MISTER MASTER STARTER (1) has warmed up nicely after two starts in Champions Season and from the best of the draw should see him close although the one concern is that the 1000m trip may be a touch on the short side. PRAY FOR RAIN (4) won well first run for his new stable, but that was on the poly. Lyle Hewitson rides for his father and a win would be a fitting end to the day. LOVE IN WINTER (8) has come good in two starts on the poly when trying blinkers. The blinkers have been removed but Vaughan Marshall’s colt only has 52kg to should which will make him competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-4-8)
Picture: Pray For Rain wins first time out for the Carl Hewitson yard (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Hewitsons Could Provide A Fairytale Ending To A Memorable Season
There could be a fairytale ending to a season of epic pinch me moments when the father and son combination of Carl and Lyle Hewitson team up with the speedy Pray For Rain in the Listed Umngeni Handicap over 1000m on Sunday.
The Umngeni Handicap is the last race of the South African season.
Carl commented that even in his jockey days riding overseas in places like Mauritius and Malaysia made one a better rider and the same rings true for his celebrated three-times South African jockey champion son Lyle, who comes off a season where he rode a milestone 50 winners in Hong Kong.
Pray For Rain is in fact the perfect horse and the Umgeni Handicap the perfect race for Lyle to make use of his Hong Kong experience.
He jumps from a good draw too.
Carl pointed out, “Hong Kong racing is very much like Australian racing and is all about speed, so Lyle will suit my horse perfectly.”
In Hong Kong riders of speed merchants like Pray For Rain firstly need to get their horses out of the pens quickly and that is what Carl expects to see early.
They then need to judge their pace perfectly i.e. go fast enough to stretch the other runners, but not so fast that the horse burns out.
It is always noticeable that riders with Hong Kong experience become masters of pace judgement, with the most classic example in recent years being Glyn Schofield, who with all due respect was not a top echelon rider in the halcyon days of SA racing. However, upon his return from a long stint in Hong Kong he used to regularly ride his colleagues to sleep out here with his outstanding pace judgement.
Carl feels lucky to have landed Pray For Rain at a recent online auction.
The Soft Falling Rain gelding had always caught his eye, including when winning the Umgeni Handicap two years ago (although it was on the poly that year).
He bought the five-year-old Soft Falling Rain gelding for R35,000 on the BSA June Online Auction.
That is a good price for a Grade 1 runner up even if he is rising six, especially considering he went to the sale having earned four cheques in six previous starts this season.
Pray For Rain paid back the purchase price just six days after the sale when winning by 2,70 lengths over 1100m on the poly in his first run for the Hewitson yard.
Carl was aware the horse had issues, having knocked a sesamoid at some stage, but said he had shown no sign of any problem in the time he had been in his yard.
In fact Lyle rode him in work this week and got off and told his father he felt like “a proper horse.”
Pray For Rain is owned by the Poet’s Corner Syndicate thanks to Lyle having met the syndicate’s nominee, Irishman Michael Moroney, while riding in other centres.
Every horse Carl has trained for the Poet’s Corner Syndicate to date has won.
When Pray For Rain finished second in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion to his Dennis Drier-trained stablemate Tempting Fate he showed such outstanding speed he looked a readymade Computaform Sprint horse.
It did not pan out like that, but expect to see Lyle using his speed to maximum advantage on the last race of the South African season on Sunday.
Carl, it goes without saying, is tremendously proud of Lyle, who has exceeded his father’s initial expectations.
Carl concluded, “This last season was a breakthrough season for him, but what he now needs is to become a regular partner to a big horse.”
Auguste Rodin (Picture: Sporting Life)
Derby Duo Highlight 11 Contenders In Top-class King George
Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel renew rivalries at Ascot.
NHA Invitation To Comment On Proposed Amendments Of The Rules
The National Horseracing Authority invites all stake holders and members of the public for comments on proposed amendments to the Rules.
The associated proposed amendments to the Rules have been published on the NHA website and open for comment from 26 July 2023 until midnight South African Standard Time (SAST) on 6 August 2023.
To access the proposed amendments to the Rules and to comment thereon, kindly go on to the NHA website (www.nhra.co.za).
On the website landing page:
Step 1: Register or if already registered go to step 3 (Log on)
Step 2: Confirm email (click link sent on email)
Step 3: Log On
Step 4: Complete Comments. To submit comments click SAVE NOW. You may edit your submission at any time before 6 August 2023.
N.B. Rule 76.16. – The person that previously commented will be able to update their comment.
• No comments can be made after 6 August 2023.
• All comments entered on the site will be considered as final on submission date.
• The NHA may not necessarily respond to any submission directly, but all comments will be considered by the NHA National Board before finalisation of any amendments. – NHA
Emerald Princess winning the Listed Off To Stud Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Handicapping ratings update
There were no ratings increases aside from the winner, while the only drop was for 3rd placed Gimme’s Lassie, who is down from 104 to 101. – NHA
Gavin Smith and connections had double reason to celebrate at Fairview today. The yard retained the East Cape Trainers Championship and their last win of the season was with Questor in the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup (Pauline Herman Photography).
Gavin Smith Retains East Cape Champion Trainers Title
Gavin Smith went into the final East Cape meeting of the season today with a slender two win cushion over arch rival Alan Greeff, but he had officially won the East Cape Trainers title after six races at the nine race meeting.
Smith scored a treble at the meeting, all of them ridden by S’Manga Khumalo and this included winning the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup with Questor (Querari).
Greeff had a rare blank meaning Smith was five clear in the end.
He completed the season with 126 wins achieved at a strike rate of 10.04%.
Muzi Yeni and Kelly Mitchley had a good final East Cape meeting, scoring a double together.
Raiders from the Western Cape, Justin Snaith and Grant van Niekerk, had a double together including winning the Listed Port Elizabeth Gold Cup over 3200m with the odds-on favourite Top Quality (Dynasty).
The picture gives a clue to the answer.
Today’s Question
Which jockey who won the (Durban) Gold Cup 60 years ago only retired from the saddle at the age of 68 and was still workriding at the age of 71.
Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter
