Brett and James Crawford – emotions ran high after the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Brett Crawford Bounces High Once Again

Brett Crawford is the perfect embodiment of that old adage “It is not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.”

He has never fallen too far, but going on your own after being the private trainer of Sabine Plattner would have been a daunting task by anybody’s standards.

He went on his own in roundabout September 2009 and had soon bounced to a higher level than he had ever achieved out of Rondeberg.

In fact he had at least one Gr 1 win and usually multiple Gr 1 wins every season from the 2010/2011 season until the 2020/2021 season.

So last season (2021/2022) represented a fall because it broke a sequence of eleven consecutive seasons with a Gr 1 win.

Therefore, it was time to bounce again.

And bounce he has in no uncertain terms.

He started off by possibly making South African history.

In September at a Durbanville meeting he sent out a Jackpot of victors.

A jackpot of wins is achieved every now and then by jockeys and the Greeffs and Smiths might have done it in the Eastern Cape.

However, it is hard to think of a previous occasion a trainer did it in one of the so-called major centres in South Africa.

Even when Justin Snaith won a reported world record eight races in a day on Met day in 2016, including the first six of the meeting, he did not do the Jackpot.

Crawford was then back on the Gr 1-winning rostrum when his Dynasty filly Make It Snappy won the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.

She was the first ever Gr 1 winner in the Hollywood Syndicate colours.

The latter lease her from her breeders Ridgemont.

Hollywood had more to cheer about when Make It Snappy won the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, which is one of the most prized races in South Africa to win as it adds a lot of stud value to the victor.

Meanwhile, his Highveld satellite yard, which had its first runner in November 2021, was contributing well to the success of the Crawford Racing business.

Crawford has overall had 104 wins this season at a strike rate of 14.15% and 25 of those wins have come out of his Randjesfontein yard at a rate of 13.30%.

The yard is run by James Crawford and has given this youngster an invaluable opportunity to grow in the training profession.

However, his dynamic father looks to have had multiple reasons for opening that yard.

He clearly also viewed it as a fine place from which to train his Champions Season horses.

Crawford had said at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July final field announcement and draw ceremony that winning the July was on everybody’s bucket list.

Having had a second with Angus in 2002, a fourth with Reveille Boy in 2005, a third with Futura in 2014 and a third with Edict Of Nantes in 2017, he can now tick the July off his bucket list.

History will also show his winner Winchester Mansion was trained out of Randjesfontein.

Corné Spies, who is one of the most travelled trainers in South Africa, was once quoted as saying, “If the horses stay at the coast after their runs they tend to go flat. It would take about six weeks or two months for them to acclimatise and they would then begin to thrive. But taking them in and out is not a problem, so I ship them up and down to keep the positive effect of high altitude training.”

However, all theories on the effect of Altitude on horses are anecdotal. South Africa is the only major country in the world that has racecourses at significantly high altitudes and no scientific studies have ever been done on the subject.

Now confounding the anecdotal theory that you can travel horses down from the Highveld to Durban successfully twice but not three times is an example of a Brett Crawford-trained horse, Winchester Mansion, traveling down from the Highveld three times in the space of seven weeks and on the third time winning the country’s premier race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The picture above of James shedding tears as he embraces his father says more than words would be able to.

It not only shows the importance of the race to any trainer, but could also also be a reflection on the strains of the job because there could well be some emotional release there after weeks of extreme pressure.

Nevertheless, Brett Crawford is no longer a leading contender for the title of best trainer to have never won the July.

Another easy win for the best older female in the country, the Sean Tarry-trained Princess Calla (Flower Alley).

Tarry’s Season Of Easy Big Race Wins Continues

Sean Tarry scored his sixth Gr 1 this season at the Hollywoodbets Durban July day meeting and he also added a Gr 2 and a Gr 3 to his tally.

Princess Calla clinched the Equus Award for Old Females by downing her only rival for the award, Desert Miracle, in the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes.

Mike de Kock must have had a feeling of deja vous watching Desert Miracle forlornly chasing Princess Calla in much the way she had in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

Princess Calla showed she was probably a better racehorse than Tarry’s Captain Al stalwart of a few seasons ago, Celtic Sea.

De Kock’s confidence must have risen when he saw Princess Calla caught wide and appearing to be over-racing a touch in the early stages with Desert Miracle sitting behind her under the sublime hands of Christophe Soumillon.

However, unfortunately for Desert Miracle when Miss Cool was allowed to slot on to the rail by the rider of Macara, who left a gap between his mount and the leader, Princess Calla was able to go one horse width further in, although she was still without cover. This left Desert Miracle caught wide.

It also becomes clear on closer observation that whilst Princess Calla is throwing her head around a bit she is on a reasonably loose rein, so is not really over-racing.

It is not normal for a horse to be caught wide without cover and not wasting energy. but then again Richard Fourie is no ordinary jockey.

Princess Calla also showed in the straight she is no ordinary horse.

Fourie rode her hands and heels until the 200m mark by which stage she had hit the front.

Then, with a couple of cracks of the whip with each hand, she put to bed any threat that existed from Desert Miracle.

She had beaten the latter easing up by 3,20 lengths in the SA Fillies Sprint and this time Fourie was able to pose in the saddle as she cruised in by 1,80 lengths.

Will she go for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint?

If she does she will also be in line to add the Equus Champion Sprinter award to her CV having won three Gr 2’s and a Gr 1 over sprint distances this season.

Tarry’s star two-year-old filly Mrs Geriatrix also likely clinched an Equus Award on the day as she remained unbeaten after winning the Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Golden Slipper in scintillating fashion.

Tarry’s recent big wins have all been with jockeys easing their mounts up.

In the Golden Slipper Richard Fourie made no use of the whip whatsoever and Mrs Geriatrix scampered in by 3,70 lengths.

The Vercingetorx filly’s five wins include a Gr 1, two Gr 2s and a Listed race from trips of 800m to 1400m and she gets better with every run.

Earlier, Tarry and Fourie had combined for an easy win on the promising staying prospect, the big Futura three-year-old gelding Future Pearl. He showed he loves cut in the ground when winning the Gr 2 DSTV Gold Vase over 2400m by 2,80 lengths. He had also won the Gr 3 WSB Gold Bowl in soft ground and by 3,25 lengths on that occasion.

However, Fourie said his Gold Cup chances depended on the handicappers assessment of the race (they have raised him six points).

Tarry has to date won six Gr 1s this season, eight Gr 2s, six Gr 3s and three Listed events.

He is lying second on the national trainers log and his strike rate of 15.96% is the highest in the top ten.

There was also a reminder on Saturday of what is almost becoming a local adage, “Leave Tarry out of the exotics at your peril” as many quartets were knocked out by his outsider filly Bless My Stars finishing third in the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Peter Blyth of Clifton Stud pats the diminutive champion he bred, Mrs Geriatrix (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Mrs Geriatrix’ Dam Not Being Sent Back To Vercingetorix

Peter Blyth of Clifton Stud said the cover fee of R220,000 in total (R50,000 nom R170,000 live foal) was too high for him to consider sending Velvet Glove back to Vercingetorix next season.

She is currently in foal to Master Of My Fate.

Her Act Of War filly was sold at this year’s BSA National Yearling Sale for R280,000.

Mrs Geriatrix did not reach her reserve at the BSA National Yearling Sale last year and was later bought for R200,000 after Tarry had been approached.

Jenny Blyth admitted in Saturday’s post race interview, “We were glad when she was sold, but now we regret it!”

However, she went on to say how thrilled they were that she was doing so much for racing.

The enthusiastic syndicate who own her, the Magical Lady Syndicate, are doing a lot to attract women to the game.

Peter Blyth admitted he was continually “gobsmacked” by how good Mrs Geriatrix was. because Velvet Glove by Kahal was unplaced in six starts.

However, he spoke of the great blood behind her which he believed emanated from his Model Man mare Vogue.

Velvet Glove, who is by Kahal out of Vogue, is a full sister to Gr 2 winner Prince Of Kahal, a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Fort Vogue (Fort Wood) and a half-sister to Gr 3 winner Whatalady (Jet Master).

Vogue, who is out of Foveros mare Thousand Nights and who was a five times-winning Gr 1 runner up, was a half-sister to twice Gr 1 Gold Cup winner Highland Night (Badger Land) and to Gr 1 winning speedster Warm White Night (Western Winter), to Gr 2 winner Prince Asad and to Listed winner and Gr 1 Gold Challenge third-placed Night Watch.

The pedigree runs deep and it will be interesting to follow this family.

Winchester Mansion (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Winchester Mansion Raised to 121, See It Again 131

Handicappers Ratings Update

Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1)

WINCHESTER MANSION has had his merit rating raised from 112 to 121 following his triumph in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 1 July.

When deciding on a line horse, the Handicappers considered that 2^nd placed SEE IT AGAIN is unexposed, having previously been unbeaten in 2 Grade 1 races over 2000m. It was also noted that he beat the rest of his rivals by at least 3.5 lengths. BLESS MY STARS is also unexposed, especially in open company and was also six pounds under sufferance at the weights. The Handicappers were of the opinion that both SEE IT AGAIN and BLESS MY STARS did not make for suitable line horses given the observations stated above.

The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that, despite being momentarily held up for a clear run at the top of the straight, the remarkable 4^th placed DO IT AGAIN made for the most suitable line horse. This leaves DO IT AGAIN unchanged on a mark of 121. In rating the race this way 5^th placed SECOND BASE also runs to his rating, effectively making him a line horse as well and leaving him unchanged on a mark of 120.

There were also ratings increases for runner-up SEE IT AGAIN, who is up from 124 to 131, and for 3^rd finisher BLESS MY STARS, who was six pounds or three kgs under sufferance at the weights and beat the line horses by 2 pounds, consequently she goes up from 109 to 117.

There were no other ratings increases, but three horses received a drop. SAFE PASSAGE is down slightly from 123 to 122, RASCALLION was trimmed from 122 to 121, and lastly POMP AND POWER was dropped from 123 to 120.

Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1)

PRINCESS CALLA, who was rated to win on official Merit Ratings, remains unchanged on a rating of 127 after she captured the Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes for fillies and mares on WFA terms over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers unanimously agree that PRINCESS CALLA herself made for the ideal line horse, hence her unchanged rating. Furthermore, in assessing the race this way 2^nd placed DESERT MIRACLE, who was rated to run 2^nd on official ratings, also runs to her mark. This effectively makes her a line horse as well and leaving her unaltered on a rating of 124.

There were also ratings raises for 3^rd placed HUMDINGER, who is up from 110 to 119, for GOING UP, who was raised from 107 to 110, and for MACARA, who goes to 101 from 98.

The only drop was for GOLDEN HOSTESS, who is down from 119 to 117.

Post Merchants (Grade 2)

GLADATORIAN has had his rating raised from 110 to 114 following his win in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Here it was runner-up THUNDERSTRUCK and 3^rd placed SURJAY who were used as the line horses, leaving them unchanged on ratings of 117 and 119 respectively. It is worth noting that this pair exactly confirmed their form relative to each other shown in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint (handicap) at Hollywoodbets Scottsville four weeks earlier, making them the ideal line horses in the Post Merchants.

Aside from the winner no horse received a rating’s increase out of this race, but no fewer than eight runners were given a drop. Joint 4^th finisher SILVER OPERATOR is down from 116 to 114, GOBSMACKED is down from 113 to 111, COSMIC HIGHWAY drops to 110 from 113, STIPTELIK drops from 107 to 104, IPHIKO is down to 107 from 109, SWEET PEPPER goes from 107 to 105, and lastly PEARL OF ASIA drops from 112 to 109.

SplashOut 2200 (Handicap) (Grade 3)

CRIMSON KING has had his merit rating raised from 93 to 101 after winning the Grade 3 SplashOut 2200 (handicap) over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Runner-up ARAGOSTA who was line horse when 3^rd in the Summer Cup Grade 1 (Handicap), 3^rd in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup Grade 3 (Handicap) and 2^nd in the Grade 3 Track and Ball Derby (WFA plus penalties) was again deemed to make for the ideal line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 114.

There were no ratings increase for any horse other than the winner, but no fewer than eight horses were given a drop. STREET ART is down from 103 to 101, ONE WAY TRAFFIC was trimmed from 109 to 108, SHANGO is down to 105 from 107, RIVER ROMEO goes from 107 to 102, JIMMY DON drops from 116 to 114, UNION SQUARE is down to 111 from 114, FLYING BULL drops from 103 to 101, and lastly WILLOW’S WISH is down slightly from 99 to 98.

DStv Gold Vase (Grade 3)

FUTURE PEARL has seen his merit rating climb from 106 to 112 after he ran out a very easy winner of the Grade 3 DStv Gold Vase over 3000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Here it was 3^rd placed REX UNION who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 97.

There were also increases for 2^nd placed FIGHT SONG, who is up from 87 to 94, and for 6^th finisher FLYING FIRST CLASS, who carried 3.5 kgs overweight and who is up from 85 to 91. The specific race conditions do not allow for any increase in the rating of any horse other than the winner, unless requested by the trainer. The trainers of both FIGHT SONG and FLYING FIRST CLASS both opted to exercise this option, hence the ratings hikes for their respective horses.

The only ratings drop was for 4^th placed SENSO UNICO, who is down from 110 to 108.

East Cape Breeders Stakes (Listed)

PHEDRA remains unchanged on a rating of 103 after winning the Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m on the polytrack at Fairview on Friday 30 June. The race, originally scheduled for the turf track, was moved to the polytrack because of inclement weather.

It was 3^rd placed CHERE FOR ME who was used as the line horse here, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 87. In assessing the race this way PHEDRA only achieves a mark of 100, hence her unaltered rating.

No horse from this race was given a rating’s increase, but there were drops for four horses. Runner-up EKORIA, who failed to run above a rating of 101 in her last 5 starts was dropped from 105 to 101, RED BERRY is down slightly from 96 to 95, FRANCA drops to 90 from 93, and lastly WISHFUL GIRL LINN drops from 88 to 85.

Stoltz (HKJC.com).

Track record holder Stoltz returns to Happy Valley

The fastest galloper over the city circuit’s 1,000m makes his first appearance at the course since injuring his right front leg there on July 6, 2022

by Mark Worwoodon (South China Morning Post)

One year to the day he sustained the injury that put him out of action for nearly nine months, Happy Valley 1,000m track record holder Stoltz will return to the city circuit on Thursday to contest the Class Two Hong Kong Park Handicap over his favourite trip.

Thursday will see Stoltz’s first appearance at Happy Valley since July 6 last year when he finished 11th of 12 over the same course and distance he had covered in 55.85 seconds to shatter the track record and break through for his maiden Hong Kong win in January 2022.

Stoltz’s rider, Zac Purton, told Jockey Club stewards he thought the More Than Ready gelding’s heavy impost of 135 pounds and starting position of gate eight contributed to the three-time Happy Valley 1,000m winner’s poor performance at $4.8. More significantly, though, veterinary surgeons identified lameness in the right front leg of the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained sprinter.

Lui was patient with Stoltz – the former Annabel Neasham-prepared galloper did not pass his compulsory veterinary examination until February 27 – and the five-year-old speedster rewarded his trainer and connections with his impressive third-up victory under Purton over 1,000m at Sha Tin on May 28.

“He had a leg problem, but he’s recovered,” said Lui of Stoltz, one of only six runners in the highest-rated race on Thursday’s card. “It took him a long time to come right. We gave him a lot of time.”

Lui said the calendar forced him to run Stoltz over 1,200m on his first two starts this season – “sometimes, the programme gives you no choice” – but, as the 100-rated sprinter showed at Sha Tin on his third outing, 1,000m is his optimum distance.

“He’s kept his form. The distance is his best trip. He’s a lovely horse,” said Lui, who will saddle up half a dozen gallopers on Thursday as he tries to beat Caspar Fownes in the unofficial race for the King of the Valley crown.

One win behind Fownes in the unsanctioned Happy Valley trainers’ championship, Lui will cheer on Brave Star, Skyey Supreme, The Equalizer, Theta Hedge, Stoltz and fellow last-start victor Joyful Hunter during this term’s penultimate meeting at the city circuit.

Linebacker (Candiese Lenferna Photopgraphy).

Linebacker Will Be Hard To Crack At HWB Kenilworth

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

With the weather having cleared for a few days and no further rain expected until the weekend, racing is set to go ahead at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday afternoon July 5 under clear skies, although temperatures remain very much on the cool side. Track Manager, Dean Diedericks, is happy with the way the course has improved and suggests the going will be in the good to soft range.

The R200 000 World Sports Betting (WSB) Winter Mile tops a nine-race programme and multiple Grade 1 winner Linebacker gets the chance to resume winning ways. The son of Captain of All has not tasted victory for 767 days but in this class and from a good barrier position, I expect Linebacker to prove a tough nut to crack. Craig Zackey takes the ride for the Vaughan Marshall stable and the 7/1 on offer in the ante-post market seems pretty generous.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s two runners, Sugar Mountain and Firealley, are probably the most serious threats to a Linebacker victory. Sugar Mountain is in very good form having won his last two starts. He firmly dispelled the school of thought that he does not stay 1600m with a fluent victory over Solar Power some two months ago. Solar Power has since come out to frank the form and Sugar Mountain has to be regarded with a great deal of respect.

Firealley is a dangerous front-runner when in the mood and he nearly surprised at long odds in his most recent outing when caught in the shadow of the post by Royal Aussie. Linebacker was two lengths behind him in that race and as they meet at the same weight terms, Firealley will have every chance of confirming the form, although this time they have 200m further to travel. I also believe Linebacker was in need of that run – his first since the WSB Cape Town Met – and hence I am expecting Marshall’s runner to reverse the order, but it’s not a foregone conclusion.

The Snaith armada consists of four runners, any of which could win on their best form. Richard Fourie has elected to ride the 3yo Triple Time who has his first start since finishing down the field in the SplashOut Cape Derby towards the end of February. He was gelded after that and the son of Twice Over could be open to any amount of improvement. Speed Machine loves it when the track is on the soft side but he does have the worst of the draw to overcome. Louis Mxothwa is in the saddle but from the draw and with 61,5 kgs to shoulder it is not going to be easy for the son of Legislate.

Somerset Maugham and Sachdev complete the Snaith quartet. Somerset Maugham, a full-brother to Charles Dickens, is versatile and could be competitive from pole position while Sachdev caught the eye when finishing third in the Winter Sprint over 1200m last month and will be better suited to the 1600m this afternoon. Gainsford, Gem King and My Bestie are all capable of causing an upset, but my vote goes to Linebacker to finally end his lean spell and find his way back into the winner’s enclosure.

Many of the early races are laden with well-bred first-timers and the betting will offer the best guide to Bipot and Place Accumulator punters. Most interesting of these first-timers is the Australian-bred Boogiefied who lines up in the fourth race over 1000m. Owned and bred by Sabine Plattner and trained by Andre Nel, Boogiefied is by the 13th American Triple Crown winner Justify out of the Trippi mare, Love To Boogie, who was exported by Plattner to join her Australian breeding operation in New South Wales. The pedigree suggests that 1000m will be on the sharp side but we will monitor her progress with keen interest.

The Justin Snaith-trained Snow Pilot will be a popular banker in Race 5, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. The well related son of Lancaster Bomber has been placed in all four starts to date and he looks hard to oppose from a decent draw. The filly Lady Majorca rates the only danger and can build on her last performance when unplaced behind Flying V over 1200m.

Unconquerable Lady was well beaten in a recent Feature behind stable companion October Morn but she could step up to the plate in the second race and hold out the early favourite Below Deck. Both these fillies have plenty of scope for improvement and should be included in Bipot permutations.

Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainer, Brett Crawford, could score in the eighth race with Metar but the daughter of Soft Falling Rain can expect plenty of opposition from the likes of Island Treaure, Cloud Chaser and Philosophise. The latter has very useful form but has the worst of the draw to overcome.

Snaith holds a very strong hand in the last race with all of Night Ruler, Royal Watch and Mucho Dinero enjoying strong winning claims. Fourie has chosen to ride Night Ruler and the combination might just have the edge over the stable companions, but all three need to be included in Pick 6 permutations. Sudden Song, Donder Storm and Coronation Time will be out to potentially spoil the Snaith party.

Kabelo Matsunyane’s HDJ Winning Ride Acknowledged By 4Racing

Kabelo Matsunyane (right) was acknowledged by 4Racing for his Hollywoodbets Durban July winning ride ahead of the Turffontein meeting today (Tuesday July 4) and is seen here holding the presented momento together with twice July-winning jockey S’Manga Khumalo (Tab4Racing).

Ampersand (Judpot) gives Philasande Mxoli and Paul Matchett the first leg of a double together today (Tuesday) at Turffontein Inside. (JC Photos).

Mxoli/Matchett Double, De Gouveia, Pettigrew, Van Vuuren Doubles

Philasande Mxoli rode a double for Paul Matchett at Turffontein Inside today and there were also doubles for all of Diego De Gouveia, Stuart Pettigrew and Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Mxoli is now on 44 wins for the season at 9.17%.

Matchett is on 58 wins for the season at 13.12%.

De Gouveia is on 31 wins at 9.12%.

Pettigrew is on 46 wins at 16.49%.

Janse van Vuuren is on 75 wins at 14.82%.

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields, Wednesday

A picture of the horse in question.

Today’s Question

Which Australian horse cost bookmakers Aus$400,000 100 years ago in 1923?

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Bitali wins the 1923 Melbourne Cup.

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

1923 MELBOURNE CUP – BITALLI

Race Info:

Placings: 1^st Place Bitalli, 2^nd Place Rivoli, 3^rd Place Accarak

Jockeys: A. Wilson, J. Munro, D. Zeally

Trainers: J. Scobie, I. H. Andrew, H. McCalman

Winner’s Time: 3:24.25

Weight: 44.45kg

Odds: 4/1 favourite

Prize money: £13,288

About:

Considering Bitalli was not raced for six months before his 1923 Melbourne Cup victory, it is not surprising that he opened at longs odds. However, his eccentric trainer James Scobie had no doubts that Bitalli would still steal the show and he was backed in to favourite. The five year old won the race, costing bookmakers £400,000.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 4 July, 2023