Turf Talk Newsletter – 30 September, 2024

Questioning wins the Gr 3 Kuda Matchem Stakes under JP van der Merwe. (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Cape Racing

Top class QUESTIONING stayed a perfect four from four at the course after out-duelling another Hollywoodbets Durbanville specialist, MONTIEN in the Kuda Matchem Stakes, a GR3 over 1400m.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, AT MY COMMAND stayed on to snare third spot with GIMME A PRINCE, needing the run after an injury enforced layoff of a year, belatedly getting underway with a zippy come home sectional of 21.75 seconds for fourth.

Vaughan Marshall’s charge, QUESTIONING, who won the Cape Classic over this track and distance in October 2023 from subsequent Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas victor Snow Pilot, was backed into 9/4 to get the job done and raced handy from a wide draw (10) to track leader MONTIEN and pace presser, COASTAL COMMANDER before asserting himself within the final 200m.

This was a finely executed tactical steer by jockey JP van der Merwe, with trainer Marshall afterwards graciously acknowledging a “super ride.”

QUESTIONING is a son of Querari out of Captain Al mare, Wheredowego and this is a sixth score from 12 starts for an extremely smart sort, deadly over extended sprints. Marshall will now target big sprints over 1200m during peak season. The winner’s time was 84.11 seconds, and he closed it out in 22.25 seconds.

For his part, MONTIEN emerged with great credit on his comeback after 175 days off track. The resolute gelding put up a sterling fight and it took practically the whole of the 600m straight for QUESTIONING to wear him down.

AT MY COMMAND and GIMME A PRINCE rounded out the placings, and both will come on for the benefit of these outings. GIMME A PRINCE is arguably the best horse in SA when all parts are in working order, but trainer Dean Kannemeyer has to handle him cautiously given a history of knee problems.

A race earlier, Gimme a Princes’ full sister GIMMIE’S COUNTESS flashed past rivals to take out the Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes (GR3) and confirm the extremely high opinion held of her by Kannemeyer.

Sired by Gimmethegreenlight ex Real Princess, she was a victim of bad trips in successive KZN features, but Serino Moodley made no error here on the 17/10 favourite, swooping from midfield to win going away.

Given the difficulty of making up ground on a firm surface with a pumping tail-wind, this against-the-track bias performance should be upgraded. After ROYALS and UNCONQUERABLE LADY had cut out the early fractions, the winner’s final time for the 1400m trip was posted at 83.98 seconds.

SUMMER LILY, backed from 12’s into half those odds, got first run after a rail-hugging steer and entering the final furlong looked to have landed the plunge. But she was totally overwhelmed by GIMMIE’S COUNTESS’S rocket-propelled finishing burst of just 21.5 seconds for the last 400m. Quipped Kannemeyer post-race, “thankfully the jockey didn’t panic; only the trainer.”

The minor places were filled by PRINCESS IZZY (beaten with every chance) who nudged GOLD POKER GAME into fourth. But none of the older fillies could withstand lightly weighted, GIMMIE’S COUNTESS’S surge who now leaps right back into the reckoning for upcoming fillies classics during the Summer Festival of Racing.

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Muzi Yeni will be off to Singapore on Tuesday evening to ride at Kranji on Saturday, the final fixture at the course before it closes.

Currently top of the SA jockey log, Yeni has been granted a one-day visiting jockey’s licence and will ride David Kok-trained Smart Star in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m.

It was Derreck David, former South African jockey now based in Mauritius, who suggested Yeni to Kok.

“I rode in Singapore a while back at two meetings with Lyle (Hewitson) and Aldo (Domeyer). I rode a few places but didn’t have a winner,” said Yeni on Monday.

“I’ve been in contact with the guys, and I will have a few rides at the meeting but at this stage I don’t know what they will be.”

Declarations for the meeting only take place on Wednesday.

Yeni is scheduled to fly out of South Africa after Tuesday’s meeting at the Vaal and will leave Singapore next Monday.

“I’m disappointed to be missing Saturday’s Turffontein meeting where we have the two Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge races, but this is a great opportunity for me.”

Yeni has also ridden in Brazil, Greece, Macau, Mauritius and South Korea.

Monday’s race meeting at Fairview in Gqeberha had to be abandoned after the running of the fourth race.

According to 4Racing’s Luciano Passerini, the jockeys protested due to the strong wind, with gusts of up to 50-70km/h resulting in dangerous racing conditions.

The meeting started with a victory for Kelly Mitchley and champion jockey Richard Fourie.

Fourie pounced at the top of the straight on Soqrat gelding Crimson Comet and went on to win the 2200m Conditional maiden by five lengths.

The next three races were all won by the Gavin Smith and Craig Zackey combination.

Zackey came from midfield in the second, a maiden over 1000m with just a five horse field, and his mount, the favourite Colonel Green (Gimmethegreenlight), slowly wore down the persistent pacemaker Serendipitous, who was returning from a six month layoff but was nevertheless backed into 2/1 second favourite.

Zackey came from off the pace in the third over 1100m on the filly Jambo Sana (The United States) and she won easily by 3,75 lengths. However, she appeared to hang in badly and might have been partly responsible for the Fourie-ridden My True Love being squeezed out when going for a rails run.

After the previous race Zackey had said in the winning interview, “The wind is really strong out there and as you turn for home the wind is blowing us straight to that inside rail.”

That would have expolained both Jambo Sana and second-placed MediterraneanGodess hanging inward.

However, Zackey showed his prowess in the conditions by leading from start to finish in the next race over 1300m on Cruzador (Crusade) to win by an easy 3,50 lengths.

The meeting was subsequently abandoned.

Smith went to 22 wins for the season and has done it at a strike rate of 10.84%.

However, he is nevertheless four wins behind reigning champion Alan Greeff in their perennial duel for the East Cape Trainers championship.

Kelly Mitchley has been threatening to join the race for that title, but she is 12 behind Greeff already this season on 14 winsat 9.66%.

Zackey is on 32 wins for the season at a strike rate of 16.33%.

That puts him in joint second place on the national log with Gavin Lerena. However, they are 17 wins behind the leader Muzi Yeni.

First Light wins easily at Rosehill on Saturday in the Drakenstein Stud colours (racenet.com.au)

Rupert Homebred Wins Gr 3 In Aus And Targets Gr 1

The Chris Waller-trained Drakenstein Stud-homebred six-year-old  gelding First Light easily won the Gr 3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m at Rosehill in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday and will now attempt a second successive win for South African connections of the Gr 1 Metropolitan, which is to be run over 2400m at Randwick this Saturday.

Last year the Metropolitan was won by the Gay Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sea The Stars Irish-bred gelding Just Fine, who is part-owned by big Johannesburg-based owner Larry Nestadt.

First Light, who was bred in Britain by Rupert’s England-based stud operation Cayton Park Stud Limited, gave a boost to Rupert’s Irish-bred Galileo mare Anzhelika. The latter won twice for her original owner and breeder Bjorn Nielson and also finished third in two Listed races.

First Light started his career in England and won twice for John and Thady Gosden. His dam Anzhelika has produced three other Rupert homebreds in the UK, including the promising Ed Walker-trained Sir Lowry’s Pass (Siyouni), who won second time out over a mile and two furlongs before finishing third in a Novice Stakes races in his third career start.

punters.com.au wrote the folllowing article about First Light’s victory on Saturday.

Dyce is tipped to win race 7 (JC Photos)

Vaal Tuesday Formguides And Selections

Gold Circle

R1 Summary: Mark Khan and Jarred Penny have struck up a winning relationship and can continue with ZAFAR (1). The son of Captain Of All has a lofty rating after showing some promise but the blinkers didn’t help last run as he ran out of steam to finish tailed off. The blinkers stay on but this trip should suit. Muzi Yeni has switched from Zafar to stable companion MIZZEN SWORD (2) who has also shown some ability. A distance third last run, this could be a more suitable trip. The balance have shown little or are first timers but ONE MORE STAR (7) could show decent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-7).

R2 Summary: Johan Janse van Vuuren is two-handed in this Novice Plate with HAPYY MO (1) and CORRUPT (7). Happy Mo has not been out of the money in her last five starts but has a big weight to carry and Kabelo Matsunyane has jumped ship to partner Corrupt who was well fancied on debut and landed the odds. But it’s not an easy race with a number of form runners. GIMMEACHANCE (4) gets blinkers for the first time and the drop in trip could get him home for his second win in just seven starts. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1)

R3 Summary: Difficult maiden. EMPRESS WU (10) was a distant fourth last run but the winner won by five so it was not a bad effort. It was also only her second start and the step up in trip should be in her favour. AMBITIOUS LADY (2) PASS THE BATON (3) and BELLA BOOP BOOP (6) all finished within a length of each other but Corrie Lensley could have the right one in Ambitious Lady as she steps up in trip and is better off in the weights with both. (Andrew Harrison: 10-2-3-6).

R4 Summary: Mike and Adam Azzie hold a strong hand with nearly half of the runners in the race. Best of them could be EMBLEM OF WAR (1) in spite of not having raced for nearly a year. He has obviously had his issues but Muzi Yeni stays with the ride and the lightly raced gelding has not been out of the money in three starts. The lay-off is a concern and if he does not shape, stable companion STORM AHEAD (2) can pick up the pieces. He showed up well when going the distance for the first time as favourite and he can make amends. SNAOW MOON (8) made sudden improvement last run when sent over ground for the first time and ROMAN’S REVENGE (7) stays the trip and should be included in all exotics. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-7).

R5 Summary: Muzi Yeni and trainer St John Gray have been in mustard form of late and they team up with SECRET CHORD (4) who looks primed for another win. He finished two lengths behind THE NAVY LARK (2) who has cracking form for Jaap Visser under apprentice Trent Mayhew but is now 3kg worse off with Secret Chord which should see the tables turned. Piere Strydom can afford to choosey about his rides and he partners WHAT A TIGER (3) for Fabian Habib. Strydom was aboard for the gelding’s last win. KING OF VENUS (7) returns from a long break but boast excellent sprint form. Calvin Habib won aboard him back in December last year and will be aboard again for Sean Tarry. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-3-7).

R6 Summary: Wide open handicap with form a little on the thin side. TIBETAN VOYAGE (8) showed up well first run for Mark Khan but his next outing over 1400m is best ignored. She had some fair Cape form and if she can build on her local debut she will have a strong chance. KYLIE’S ANGEL (1) showed up well last time out in her first run in a handicap. She got a two-pound relief in the handicap in spite of that showing and although set to shoulder 62kg she could prove the one to beat but it won’t be easy. TWICE AS WILD (7) will have her supporters after finishing a close-up third behind the improved Inafix at her last two. TOGETHER AGAIN (5) was a length behind Twice As Wild in their last meeting and is now 0.5kg better off taking apprentice Trent Mayhew’s 2.5kg allowance into consideration. There should be very little between these two. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-7-5).

R7 Summary: Gelding appears to have been the key to DYCE (1) whose form had tailed off after winning the Cape Flying Championship. He was back in top form last time out and should have this Pinnacle Stakes at his mercy as he his rated way better than the opposition. DANILO DANILOVITCH (6) looks well held at these weights but he does get a 4kg claimer aboard and will carry 46kg, getting 16kg from Dyce and if allowed to get away Paul Matchett’s gelding could prove difficult to peg back. TROPPO VELOCE (5) takes on males but is smart over the trip and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-5).

R8 Summary: Tough handicap. SAMOA (8) lines up for the 96th time in her career and has been knocking on the door in recent starts. She was a close-up second last time out and Gavin Lerena stays with the ride. INAFIX (6) is six years younger but did get the better of Bridget Sridolph’s Mare last time out but is now 2.5kg worse off which should be enough to turn the tables. WRITTEN IN STONE (4) has 91 runs under his girth and is back over his favourite course and distance. Nine-year-old JET CAT (7) was only two lengths behind Inafix and is 3kg better off. (Andrew Harrison: 8-4-6-7).

Prague ridden by jockey Daniel Tudhope charged clear of the competition at Newmarket (Picture: Mike Egerton PA Wire)

The Dylan Cunha-trained Galileo colt Prague, bought at a Tattersalls horses-in-training sale for just 10,000 Gns by a stable eimployee of Cunha’s, annihilated a field of four at Newmarket on Friday in a race which South Africans have a fine record in, the Gr 2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes over a mile on the Rowley Mile course. Mike de Kock won this race in course record time with Eagle Mountain in 2008, ridden by Kevin Shea, and also won it with South African-bred Soft Falling Rain in 2013, ridden by Paul Hanagan.

Prague, who was initially trained by Aidan O’Brien but was still unraced when arriving at Cunha’s yard, not only has a potentially lucrative future as a racehorse but also as a sire, being an entire by one of history’s most influential sires, Galileo. Thoroughbred empires have been built around one horse, so to call the Prague story a fairytale would be an understatement.

The horse has further propelled Cunha’s burgeoning career in the UK.

Dylan, whose career highlight in South Africa was winning the Gr 1 Summer Cup with Strategic News while still in his twenties, is now just six wins aways from the 50 win mark in Britain.

Mail Online carried the below story about Prague’s victory.

Dominic King

Prague produces another fairytale run to beat favourites at Newmarket as the £10k colt continues to defy the odds by becoming one of racing’s hottest prospects

Prague stormed to victory in the Dubai Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

The colt was previously bought for just £10,000 by Amedeo dal Pos last year.

Impressive victories mean Prague’s earnings now stand at a huge £114,455.

No other sport can match racing’s ability to produce fairytales and so it proved once again as a Ballydoyle cast-off catapulted his owner and trainer into the big time.

Prague, whose father is the super sire Galileo, started his career being trained by Aidan O’Brien along with so many other bluebloods but he never raced for him. He was sold for £10,000 last October at the Horses In Training sale, his new owner Amedeo dal Pos investing his savings in the colt.

Dal Pos works in the Newmarket yard of Dylan Cunha. The latter was a trainer in his native South Africa before training to be a commercial pilot; he only returned to a life with horses after Covid struck and he lost his job as the airline for whom he worked went bust.

There was no question anyone other that Cunha was going to train Prague for dal Pos, who comes from Venice but has worked in Newmarket for the past 12 years. They have worked together for the past 18 months and dal Pos reports to work each day at 4am.

Through the summer, they have seen Prague – who made a winning debut at odds of 40/1 at Sandown in April – get stronger and quicker and everything magically came together on a squally afternoon on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course.

Prague, ridden by Danny Tudhope, powered clear in the Group Two Joel Stakes – a key race over a mile – to beat joint-favourites Task Force and Poker Face by upwards of three-and-a-half lengths and pocket £70,887.50 for connections.

His earnings now stand at £114,455, meaning the initial investment has been returned tenfold.

‘He’s just that good and he’s improved so much,’ gasped Cunha.

‘He’s a big, immature baby and is only going to get better. It’s an incredible story. He is a nice horse and if we could get a few nice horses it would be even better. We have got big decisions to make in the next few days.’

Those options include whether to roll the dice again and pay £70,000 to supplement him for the QIPCO Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day next month or give Prague a break and bring him back next summer to start in The Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Either way, he has given everyone connected with him the reason to dream and this is exactly what should happen in racing – dal Pos, whose wife Federica was overjoyed as he brought Prague into the winners’ enclosure, could not believe his faith had been vindicated.

‘I have always had horses in my life,’ said dal Pos, whose care and attention for Prague was highlighted by him also winning the award for the best turned out horse in the four-runner field, as well as the groom’s prize.

‘I ride Prague every day in his work. Everything is going so well. When I saw him starting to go clear, oh, my heart was beating so fast. The most important thing, always, is for my horse to come back safe and well. These horses are a part of my heart.’

Dr Ashley Parker and his wife Dr Beverley Parker (Picture: ROA)

Nine Racing Owners Association life members were honoured at the Turffontein race meeting on Saturday with races named after them,  they being Anthony Joannides, Kevin Backos, Alexander Laird, Darryl Yutar, Gavin Smith, Coenie Strydom, Alan Greeff, Dr Ashley Parker and Mynhardt Baars.

However, it was Dr Ashley Parker of the East Cape’s Ascot stud who was made the life member of the month and an interesting profile was put in the ROA newsletter (see below).

The Racehorse Owners Association enjoys featuring Life Members each month as we learn more about the rich history of the sport and the dedication and passion of these individuals. This month, we are honored to present the owner of Ascot Stud and veterinarian, Dr Ashley Parker, as our Life Member of the Month for September.

Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, Ashley grew up into the sport with his parents having bred horses since 1966. This instilled in him a love for horses, racing and breeding. His mother, Rose Parker, holds a special place in racing history as one of the first two lady stewards in South Africa. His wife, Dr Beverley Parker is also a veterinarian with a wealth of experience and has been actively involved in the export protocols for many years.

Ashley and Beverley have two children, Andrew and Victoria, both married, and two wonderful grandchildren. Andrew and Victoria have certainly inherited the family’s passion as they both have small shares in syndicate horses and Andrew has taken a keen interest in the breeding side of the industry, following in the footsteps of his parents and grandparents. Outside of racing and breeding, Ashley enjoys playing golf, watching sport and is an ardent supporter of Arsenal.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Ashley’s role is planning matings before the start of each breeding season. He also loves the thrill of racing, the majestic horses and the lifestyle that comes with being part of the vibrant community. He also values the helpful and experienced staff at the ROA who ensure that race days and events run seamlessly, adding to the joy and excitement of the sport.

Horses Ashley has owned include Al Mufti, Archipenko, Enchanted Garden, Bold Silvano, Royal Fantasy and Golden Silvino. His trainers over the years include Terrence Millard, Ralph Rixon, Mike De Kock, Tony Millard, Geoff Woodruff, Brett Crawford, Stanley Greeff, Alan Greeff, Andy Smith and Gavin Smith.

When asked about his favorite racing memory, Ashley recalled a few. The first was Enchanted Garden (Roland Gardens (IRE) x Captivation) winning the Sun International as a 3-year-old at Turffontein Racecourse on 3 May 1986. Ashley had R100 to win R1600, enough to buy a beautiful ring and propose to his wife. The second was Al Mufti (USA) (Roberto (USA) x Lassie Dear), running second in the Durban July, formally known as the Rothmans July Handicap, on 6 July 1991, after covering a book of mares and becoming a breed shaping stallion. He also highlighted Bold Silvano (Silvano (GER) x Bold Saffron), bred at Ascot Stud, winning the Vodacom Durban July on 31 July 2010, and lastly, Archipenko (USA) (Kingmambo (USA) x Bound (USA)) co-owned with Sheik Khalifa, winning the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Dr Ashley Parker’s story is one of history, passion and lifelong commitment to the racing and breeding industry within South Africa. We thank the entire Parker family for their continued support, and we wish them a successful racing and breeding season ahead.

The Joel Stakes was won by ex-pat South African trainer Dylan Cunha on Saturday with his Galileo colt Prague. (Photograph: Steven Cargill/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock)

Question:  How did  Newmarket Gr 2 event the Joel Stakes get its name?

The Joel Stakes was established in 1987, and it was originally called the Main Reef Stakes. It was named after Main Reef, a successful horse owned and bred by Jim Joel. It was initially restricted to three-year-olds and contested over 1 mile and 2 furlongs.

The race was opened to older horses and cut to a mile in 1989. For a period it was classed at Listed level. Jim Joel died in 1992, and it was renamed the Joel Stakes in 1994.

It is fitting the Joel Stakes has been won three times now by South African trainers because Jim Joel donated his colours decades ago to Mary Slack and these black colours with a scarlet cap are now familiar and famous in South Africa.

Jim Joel is the son of British-South African mining magnate Jack Barnato Joel.

The Joel and Oppenheimer families were connected through De Beers (diamond company).