Sandringham Summit winning the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe (Picture: Candiese Lenferna).
Sandringham Connections Want Highveld Rains To Arrive
Whilst Cape Town has suffered extensive damage from the excessive rainfall, it is a different story on the Highveld where rain is needed.
David Nieuwenhuizen is hoping for more rain so that there will be further improvement in the condition of the Turffontein Inside track as he might bring his champion colt Sandringham Summit out for his seasonal reappearance in the R400,000 BSA Sales Cup over 1450m on October 7.
He said, “We are going to nominate him for the BSA Sales Cup, but it obviously depends on the draw. It’s on the Inside track and there’s been a bit of rain, which helps a lot, because I don’t think this track is at its best. It has been raced on a lot lately and the Standside is obviously not available at present. We had about 10mm last month, but we need more rain just so it can green up a bit and soften up a bit. Then they can trim it down a bit and roll it just to get the track in better condition. That is obviously important so the horse can pull up sound, as he’s got decent races set up for him further down the line. The BSA Sales Cup would be a nice entry for him into the season.”
He said it woulod not be vital to give Sandringham Summit a workout on the grass, because he had been doing very well working on the sand. A grass gallop might be considered though if was not deemed to be risky.
He said despite generally being believed that the colt does not need a good draw because of his ability to come from off the pace, he felt a good draw on the Turffontein Inside track would be important.
He said, “It’s difficult on the Inside track because it is on an incline and you generally have to drop to the back of the field and there is quite a short run in. So we would like an inside draw.”
David said a Cape Town campaign would be on the cards for the Gimmethegreenlight colt and he added that going down there would financially be the right way to go (considering the incentives and perks in place for raiders).
However, he added, “But the Dingaans would be his next target after the BSA, those two races would be a nice entry into the season and from there we can then play each one as it comes up. The Triple Crown will also be on the cards.”
David has noticed that KZN have shown their hand on the three-year-old male front more than Cape Town, but he was sure some big horses would emerge in Cape Town sooner or later.
Sandringham Summit struck as one with plenty of scope and many fans are excited in their anticpation of this long-striding, classy individual blossoming into a top class three-year-old.
Drakenstein Stud homebred Charles Dickens with Drakenstein owner Gaynor Rupert and Charle’s trainer Candice Bass-Robinson (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Charles Dickens Will Not Necessarily Run In The Met
Candice Bass-Robinson said a call to run Charles Dickens in the WSB Cape Town Met would only be made after the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
The superstar Trippi colt makes his much anticpated reappearance in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
Candice said, “He’s doing well. It will be a prep run for the season, so he’s not at his peak fitness, but he needs to be nice and fresh.”
She was aksed whether she thought he would come into his own this season.
She replied, “He’s a magnificent looking horse at the moment. He’s strengthened up now as a four-year-old too, so I would think this should hopefully be his best season.”
She is not happy to see Charles Dickens favourite for the Met.
She said, “I don’t know why they make horses favourite for the July and the Met before they even know whether they are running in those races. I am not necessarily running him in the Met, I will make that decision after the King’s Plate.”
After The Rain from draw two looks likely to be the pacemaker in the Matchem.
Gimme A Prince from pole position is likely to hold his rail position in order to get a tow from After The Rain.
So Charles Dickens draw three will perhaps be a little tricky.
However, Candice said that although he might carry his head a bit awkardly, Charles Dickens is not a horse that pulls at all, so there will be no concern about him finding a nice position in a small field.
“You can put him wherever you want him,” she said.
His exhilarating turn of foot is of course his chief weapon.
Hopefully the rain stays away, because a good crowd will turn out just to clap eyes on him and in anticipation of him producing the breathtaking finish he is known for.
The racecourse sponsors are taking no chances and have him at 1/4.
The Bass-Robinson yard might land both features on the day.
In the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes over 1400m Golden Hostess is comfortably best in at the weights according to official merit ratings and is duly favourite with the course sponsors at 14/10.
She is drawn five in the seven horse field and among her opposition is stablemate Gimme’s Lassie, who is drawn two and who is third favourite at 9/2.
Candice said, “It’s a nice type of race for Golden Hostess, she will love this trip. She’s had a little break, but she had a nice gallop back the other day. I would think she should have a good chance.”
The 116-rated four-year-old daughter of Gold Standard was highly tried last season and was never far off the best.
Candice said, “She is not quite a Group 1 filly. She’s taken on some very decent fillies and she rarely runs a bad race. I think 1400m is her best distance and it’s the right race for her. Obviously there is Michelle’s filly (Cala Mureta) in the race, but other than her having won a Group 2 in Durban I don’t know much about her.”
She said about Gimme’s Lassie, “She’s doing very well and she could be thereabouts.”
Candice is hoping the rain stays away because she is expecting a good day overall from a team of 17 runners.
Grand Providence and Hayley Turner in the familar Drakenstein colours (Picture: Sporting Life)
Gaynor Rupert-homebred Filly Out Of Same Jurisdiction Books A Cesarewitch Berth
The Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old Nathaniel filly Grand Providence, who is out of the South African-bred dual-Grade 1-winning mare Same Jurisdiction (Mambo In Seattle), won the Turners Cesarewitch Trial Handicap over two miles and two furlongs at Newmarket last Saturday under Hayley Turner and thus booked a berth in the famous Cesarewitch which takes place on October 14.
The progressive staying filly stayed on strongest of all on Saturday and is now 10/1 second favourite for the Cesarewitch.
Grand Providence was bred by Gaynor Rupert’s UK-based Cayton Park Stud Limited and runs for the stud too in the same colours as Drakenstein Stud’s familiar blue colours with a white square.
The Cesarewitch was inaugurated in 1839 in the same year as another big handicap, The Cambridgeshire, which is run in late September, and together they are known as the Autumn Double.
The Cesarewitch is run on the Newmarket Rowley mile over two miles and two furlongs and first prize is £103,080.
Grand Providence’s official rating increased two points from 85 to 87 after her win on Saturday, meaning she will carry a light weight of 7 stone 12 (50kg) in the Cesarewitch.
Climate Control is rated one to watch by the At The Races tipster (Picture: JC Photos).
Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections
At The Races
1 12:50 PM – Betway Tote Rewards Club Maiden Plate (F & M)
GIDEON’S DAUGHTER showed promise on her turf debut. She has a wide draw for her Polytrack debut but can go one better. NAIROBI has been fair of late and can contest the finish. DAWN OF GOLD is carded to run before this and that run needs to be looked at. MORE THAN A DREAM and IMPRESSIVE NESSIE both showed improvement in their latest starts and hold a winning chance. SET FOR LIFE and HAT’S MIRACLE try the Polytrack and are capable of improvement.
Top Tip: DAWN OF GOLD (2)
Watch out for: GIDEON’S DAUGHTER (11)
2 1:25 PM – Betway Boost Open Maiden
RED WILLIAM is a long-time battling maiden but he has been runner-up twice in his last four starts and could make a winning Polytrack debut. SLAINTE MHATH showed improvement last time out and could do even better this time. US OPEN is struggling to win a race but could finish in the money once again. MORE FOR ME is unreliable but has been runner-up twice in his last three starts and is not out of it. JOE HARMAN is never too far behind and could earn some more money. SMART MASTER, MILITARY MAN and SEVEN DOGS are all capable of improvement.
Top Tip: SLAINTE MHATH (2)
Watch out for: RED WILLIAM (1)
3 2:00 PM – Betway Aviator Mr 78 Handicap
SUPER SILVER ran a cracker on local debut. He performed to a far better rating than he currently holds and should win if repeating that run. CENTRAL CITY is best forgiven for his last run. He was in good form before that and should bounce back and can win. IRISH RAIN is never too far behind and can earn more money. ATKINSON GRIMSHAW has been consistent of late and can contest the finish again. MY BOY REECEY is not an easy horse to catch right but is capable of running well once again. MATSUYAMO and QUESTION MASTER are both coming off nice wins and are not out of it either.
Top Tip: SUPER SILVER (1)
Watch out for: CENTRAL CITY (2)
4 2:35 PM – Betway We Pay Your Tax On Horse Racing Wins Mr 72 Handicap
CLIMATE CONTROL has only the one win to his name and his merit rating has dropped considerably. He is the type of horse that could win a few on the Polytrack. WIND SOCK is better than his last run suggests and could contest the finish. GRAND DESTINY continues to be in good form and should be right there at the finish once again. EUPHORIC is in good form and can follow up on his recent win. LIGHT WITHOUT is in good form and deserves respect. STORM COMMANDER ran on well earlier this month and could finish in the money.
Top Tip: GRAND DESTINY (11)
Watch out for: CLIMATE CONTROL (1)
5 3:10 PM – Back The Boks Novice Plate
An interesting plate contest. The two three-year-old fillies PARIS LASS and SUMMER ODYSSEY come out best-weighted on official figures and can fight out the finish. PARIS LASS is the speedier of the two and may get the first run on her rival. It is hard to look past these two. MASERATI ROAR seems better than his recent local debut. ABOUND and GLOBAL FORCE are both capable of better than their last run. ISN’T IT BLISS could earn minor money. BAUBLES AND BEADS is speedy and is not out of it on her best form.
Top Tip: SUMMER ODYSSEY (11)
Watch out for: PARIS LASS (10)
6 3:45 PM – Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1400 Powered By Betway
A decent field for the second leg of the Poly Challenge. PORT LOUIS was not disgraced last time out from a wide draw and is much better drawn this time, so could turn the tables on his conqueror that day. PRINCE OF FIRE quickened nicely to win the first leg and can follow up but it will be tougher from gate 13. CAT DADDY loves the Polytrack and is capable of being right there at the finish. GALLIC TRIBE was not too far behind last time out and will prefer this distance. AND WE DANCED has been good all year and deserves a crack at a race like this.
Top Tip: AND WE DANCED (11)
Watch out for: PRINCE OF FIRE (1)
7 4:20 PM – Betway Insurebet Fm 66 Handicap (F & M)
IQEMBULABESIFAZANE is in good heart at the moment and fought off all her rivals a couple of weeks ago. If in the same could produce a repeat performance. DEFINING MOMENT ran on well last time out and is a danger. GRUE OF ICE is better over 1000m but is not out of it. UNITED EXPRESS makes her local debut and could improve. GLOBAL GODDESS is course and distance suited. THE LADY LOVE is looking for further but could play a minor role. ANGELSEA, COLORAMA and MOONSTRIKE are capable of earning money.
Top Tip: GRUE OF ICE (3)
Watch out for: DEFINING MOMENT (2)
8 4:55 PM – Betway Get Way More Mr 66 Handicap
A decent end to a nice card. Trainer Glen Kotzen has a good strike when raiding the Eastern Cape and HAT’S PRIDE should be a big runner. He is on the up and if taking to the Polytrack he could send favourite punters home with a winner. CLAP OF THUNDER stormed home from a poor position last time out and deserves respect for that win but this is a tougher race. The same can be said of TIMBAVATI RIVER who won easily on local debut and clearly took to the Polytrack. CHARLIE MALONE only got going late on local debut and he will be right there at the finish once again.
Top Tip: CHARLIE MALONE (8)
Watch out for: HAT’S PRIDE (2)
The United States’ Nephew Fetches €500,000
The colt pictured above is by Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) out of a full sister to the South African-based Galileo stallion The United States and he fetched €500,000 at the Goffs Orby Book 1 Sale this week.
Galileo stallion The United States stands at Moutonshoek for a fee of R30,000 and in his first three crops has produced Gr 2 and dual Listed winner Sheela, Gr 3 winner Billy Bowlegs, Gr 3 winner Without Question and dual Listed winner Khaya’s Hope as well as stakes-placed runners East Coast, Smith And Wesson, Sun Blushed, Texas Red, The Charleston, Pure Maverick and Philosophise.
The Goffs hammer falls at €1,650,000 to Amanda Skiffington for the New Bay sister to Saffron Beach Credit: Sarah Farnsworth (Racing Post).
Amanda Skiffington Buys Goffs Orby Sales Topper For €1,650,000
Racing Post (James Thomas)
‘I feel totally sick!’ – Saffron Beach sister steals the Goffs Orby show at €1,650,000
“Go on, you only live once,” said auctioneer Henry Beeby as he looked in the direction of Amanda Skiffington. The agent stood on the top tier of the Goffs auditorium with owner Fiona Carmichael, with the sister to Saffron Beach commanding the ring below.
That gentle prompt elicited a bid of €1,650,000, and when Al Shira’aa Farms’ Kieran Lalor declined to return fire from his position to the left of the rostrum, the hammer fell in favour of the Orby Sale’s leading ladies.
The final price was achieved only after a gruelling round of bidding. The Godolphin buying team were involved up to €900,000, but once the seven-figure barrier was breached matters became a straight duel between Skiffington and Lalor, with the rivals trading increases of €100,000.
When Lalor went to €1.5 million Carmichael could be seen shaking her head, but after a brief caucus with her agent Skiffington mustered another €50,000 raise. Lalor matched the offer, but when Beeby teased one last bid out of Skiffington the Al Shira’aa man was consigned to the role of underbidder.
When asked how her heart rate was after the marathon bidding battle, Skiffington said: “Terrible! I feel totally sick. I hoped I wouldn’t have to go that far to get her. We had to be brave, and we knew we were going to have to be.”
Expanding on the filly’s appeal, Skiffington said: “The pedigree is fantastic and she’s just beautiful. We bought the brother last year, who looks like being very good, so that added to the appeal a bit. We thought she’s a collector’s item. She’s a special filly to breed from later on.”
The New Bay filly cost considerably more than her year-younger brother, who brought €450,000 12 months ago.
Bred by the China Horse Club and consigned by Ballylinch Stud, the seven-figure filly is the sixth foal out of Falling Petals, a Darley bred daughter of Raven’s Pass who won a Lingfield maiden in the colours of Princess Haya during her time under the care of John Gosden. The dam joined the China Horse Club broodmare band in 2016, when she was knocked down at €235,000.
Saffron Beach is comfortably the dam’s best runner to date, winning six times for Jane Chapple-Hyam and an ownership group made up of James Wigan and Ben and Ollie Sangster.
The 55,000gns foal failed to make her date at the yearling sales but went on to land two Group 1s for connections, namely the Sun Chariot Stakes and Prix Rothschild. She was subsequently sold at the 2022 December Mares Sale, where she drew a bid of 3,700,000gns from Saudi Arabian outfit Najd Stud.
Reflecting on the show-stopping transaction, the China Horse Club’s Matthew Houldsworth said: “This is a fantastic sale and every time we sell with Goffs they deliver. She deserved to make a good price, we weren’t expecting quite that, but we thought she might make seven figures. She’s an outstanding individual by a stallion who’s very much on the up and with such a good pedigree.”
Falling Petals produced a colt by Lope De Vega earlier this year and is back in foal to New Bay.
Carmichael and Skiffington are no strangers to eyecatching Orby Sale purchases, having secured Signe, a Sea The Stars half-sister to Forever Together, Together Forever and Lord Shanakill, at €1.1m in 2014. Signe won three races during her time in training with William Haggas, and is now a key part of Carmichael’s breeding interests.
Signe has produced three foals, all of whom have names registered with Weatherbys. The eldest, a four-year-old Siyouni filly, has been called Gemma, and is followed by a three-year-old daughter of Kingman named Queen Forever and a yearling colt by Wootton Bassett called Carmers.
Earlier in the session attention was focused firmly on the Kingman half-brother to Skitter Scatter. The colt was making his second appearance in the Goffs ring having topped last year’s November Foal Sale to the €550,000 bid of high-rolling pinhooker Philipp Stauffenberg.
Bidders took a while to warm to their task, with Beeby addressing the room and saying “don’t be shy!” when the price stalled around the €100,000 mark. Eventually David Redvers and Godolphin’s Anthony Stroud took each other on, with the latter winning out at €650,000.
“He’s an extremely well bred horse by Kingman,” said Stroud after signing the docket. “We’ve had Victory Dance out of the mare already, they’re both bred by Airlie, which is a great stud farm.
“We looked at him as a foal and debated buying him then, but we thought we’d leave him and see what he’s like next year. It’s reassuring that he came back with Philipp Stauffenberg so we got a chance to look at him again. We thought he’d progressed well so we’re very happy with him.”
Bred by Airlie and Sonia Rogers, the colt is the fifth foal out of Dane Street, a winner at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown during her time in training with Jessica Harrington. The daughter of Street Cry has far surpassed her racecourse achievements at paddocks, however, with five winners from six runners.
As well as Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Skitter Scatter, Dane Street has also bred the Listed-winning Dubawi colt Victory Dance, a 700,000gns Godolphin purchase, and the Grade 3-placed Data Dependent.
Asked if there were many similarities between Victory Dance and his six-figure sibling, Stroud said: “To be honest, no, Victory Dance is a very different type. This colt definitely has a lot more Kingman in him than Victory Dance. I’ve been associated with a few Kingmans, including Persian King. He’s had a great year this year and he’s capable of siring a brilliant horse.”
The presence of those high-achieving siblings meant the page already caught the eye when Stauffenberg pinhooked the colt last November, and it has received two significant updates since. Data Dependent’s first foal, Justify filly Aspen Grove, won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks, while the colt’s two-year-old sister, Skellet, looked a filly with a bright future when scooting clear in a Salisbury maiden for Ralph Beckett.
There are firm foundations to this pedigree too as Dane Street is a half-sister to Dewhurst Stakes winner Intense Focus, while there has been another top-level update further back in the family as this year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi appears beneath the colt’s third dam.
Those updates and a striking physical presence had led some to believe the colt possessed seven-figure potential. While the final price may not have been the pinhooking home run some had expected, the vendor was sanguine about the transaction.
“There were moments where it felt like a worrying situation when he was stuck at a relatively low level,” said Stauffenberg. “I was pretty sure he would make more than we had paid for him, it was just a question of how much. I can’t complain, it’s not a loss or a huge gain, but he’s a very nice horse and hopefully he will prove that on the racecourse. That’s the main thing.
“I’m pleased he went to a good home and hopefully he will do well for Godolphin. The last two they bought from me have done well, a Teofilo colt called Majestic One and a Night Of Thunder filly named Romantic Style. Hopefully this colt will do us proud.”
Stauffenberg has plenty to look forward to before offering a five-strong draft at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale, as he is the breeder of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Fantastic Moon and also pinhooked the Cheveley Park Stakes-bound Soprano.
Plenty of international money was invested during day two, including a brace of purchases that brought €500,000 apiece. First US-based agent Kim Valerio partnered with microshare syndicate Commonwealth Thoroughbreds to secure the Wootton Bassett colt out of First Flower from Glenvale Stud.
The colt is the first foal out of the unraced Galileo sister to Group/Grade 1-winning siblings Hydrangea, Hermosa and The United States.
Chase Chamberlin (right) with Commonwealth Thoroughbreds co-founder Brian Doxtator
Chase Chamberlin (right) with Commonwealth co-founder Brian Doxtator
Credit: Commonwealth
“He’s the second horse Kim has got for us in Europe so we’re really excited about him,” said Commonwealth’s Chase Chamberlin. “He’s beautiful and he’s got a massive pedigree.
“We said we weren’t going to buy a horse unless one begged us to take him home, and this one did. He’ll head to Donnacha O’Brien, he was pretty crucial in this part of the purchasing process.”
Commonwealth Thoroughbreds have been involved in owning some major talents trained on the opposite side of the Atlantic, most notably Dubai World Cup hero Country Grammer and this year’s Kentucky Derby victor Mage.
Expanding on the group’s European ambitions, Chamberlin said: “We want to find great horses for people. That starts with conviction, and we had the same conviction about Country Grammer and Mage. We have great partners and trust people like Kim to make these decisions, and trainers like Donnacha O’Brien and Bob Baffert. Hopefully we can make magic happen, but that starts with quality horses.”
Valerio added: “We’ve looked at pretty much everything in the sale, minus about 40 lots, and he’s my top choice. He’s beautiful. He looks like an American horse and I tend to migrate towards those. He’s light on his feet and super smart.”
Kellsgrange Stud’s Mehmas brother to Grade 2 scorer Quattroelle is hammered down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Goffs Orby
Kellsgrange Stud’s Mehmas brother to Grade 2 scorer Quattroelle is hammered down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Goffs Orby
Credit: Sarah Farnsworth
Later in the session the Hong Kong Jockey Club joined the fray with the €500,000 purchase of the Mehmas brother to Grade 2 scorer Quattroelle, who was offered by Kellsgrange Stud.
The Hong Kong buying team, who are sourcing prospects for the jurisdiction’s International Sale in 2025, is headed by legendary jockey Mick Kinane, who said of the Mehmas colt: “He’s a lovely, balanced horse. His sister was a very good horse and if he’s as good he should be fine. Mehmas is only new on the horizon in Hong Kong, there is one there that I know of, so he’s still in his infancy over there.”
That purchase was the most significant of a four-strong haul for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, whose spend totalled €1,190,000.
The €500,000 Mehmas colt turned a handsome profit for connections as he had been pinhooked through Peter and Ross Doyle at 240,000gns when offered by Rossenarra Stud last year.
Overpass will have a second crack at the lucrative Everest, the richest turf race in the world. (Picture: justhorseracing.com.au).
Aus$20 Million Everest Field Is Taking Shape
racenet.co.au
The Everest Field 2023
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Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the world’s richest race on turf on October 14 over 1200m. History will be made as twelve of the fastest horses compete for a slice of the Aus$20 million in prize money.
The Everest field is set at 12 runners, for three-year-olds and upwards, under weight-for-age conditions, each runner is represented by stakeholders who purchase ‘slots’ in the field for approximately $2.1 million over a three-year commitment ($799,000 per year).
The most accomplished sprinters in Australia are usually snatched up quickly, but standout performers in the spring can put their hand up for late selection.
Those positions are able to be traded, sold, and available for joint venture or lease prior to the entry date. Six emergency runners are determined by an independent panel and selected from the ‘Everest Consolation’ Sydney Stakes (1200m), run at the same meeting. In the event of a scratching, the slot holder has the power to then select any of the six emergencies.
For example, for in 2018, Home of the Brave was scratched and replaced by another Godolphin runner, Osborne Bulls.
The field for the race is declared once all slot holders have confirmed their runners which has to be done by Tuesday 10am on race week. The barrier draw is conducted on the Tuesday prior to raceday.
Trust Racenet as your premier source for the 2023 Everest field, including all critical information with daily horse racing news as it becomes known. For more in-depth information about each horse in The Everest field, check out the Racenet The Everest Horses page.
The Everest Field 2023 will be finalised on October 10th 2023.
The 2023 Everest Slot Holders
Once the entire final is confirmed many punters will get in early and place their bets. Before confirming your bet be sure to take a look at our The Everest Betting information so you can feel more confident in the horse you are backing!
| Slot Holder | Runner |
|---|---|
| Trackside Media | I Wish I Win |
| Newgate & GPI Racing | Think About It |
| Chris Waller Racing | |
| Australian Turf Club | Overpass |
| Coolmore | |
| Aquis Farm | |
| James Harron Bloodstock | Cylinder |
| Max Whitby and Neil Werret | Private Eye |
| TAB | Buenos Noches |
| The Star & Arrowfield | Mazu |
| Yulong Investments | |
| Godolphin | In Secret |
Muzi Yeni (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Yeni 50 Up And A Double
Muzi Yeni scored his 50th win of the season at the Vaal Straight course today (Thursday) and he went on to clinch a double
He goes to 51 wins for the season at a strike rate of 18.68% and is now 19 wins clear of second-placed Richard Fourie and 21 clear of Gavin Lerena, who had a blank today.
Picture: The establishment in question is pictured above (Picture: Discover Newmarket)
Today’s Question
Who was the 1991 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Garrison Savannah named after?
