Greeff vs Prinsloo And Others - Who Will Win?
Anotherdanceforme hung in badly when winning the Gr 1 Splashout Golden Slipper and Quickstepgal gets a chance to exact revenge on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship (Saturday 16H10 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth) sees an eagerly awaited second clash between the unbeaten Alan Greef-trained Anotherdanceforme and the crack Tienie Prinsloo-trained Quickstepgal.
Prinsloo believes Quickstepgal would have beaten Anoterdanceforme had the latter not crossed her path in the Gr 2 Splashout Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.
However, the stipendiary stewards did not agree and Tienie did not receive his deposit back after his objection was overruled.
Anotherdanceforme hung badly from the outside to the inside, which can happen with young horses at Hollywoodbets Greyville, especially with the huge, noisy crowds on the stands on July day.
However, her ability was there for all to see.
The Varsfontein Stud-bred Master Of My Fate filly is unbeaten in six starts and 1400m is likely her optimum trip, so she will be hard to beat despite having to jump from draw eight of ten.
Quickstepgal is drawn one inside of her.
The latter is a Greenacres Trust (Marsh Shirtliff)-bred daughter of Vercingetorix and and can continue to progress this season.
Richard Fourie rides the Peter Moor-owned Anotherdanceforme.
Gavin Lerena rides Quickstepgal, who was bought in training from Rakesh Singh by Laurence Wernars and Harry Wilsson.
It is a clash for the ages and not to be missed.
However, it is far from a two horse race.
The progressive Justin Snaith-trained One World filly She’s My World has the advantage of pole position and will be out to score a hattrick. She will love this trip having triumphed in the Gr 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes over this trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out.
The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Vercingetorix filly Princess Of Gaul has a lot of class and will be looking to bounce back from a 5,35 length defeat by She’s My World in the Diana Stakes. She had excuses as she was drawn one and was cramped for room when attempting to make a run down the inside rail.
However, the horse to possibly take out of the Diana is the Eric Sands-trained Vercingetorix filly Stormwatch, as she flew home from well of the pace and was beaten only half-a-length.
The Snaith-trained Varsfontein homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme What I Want looks full of class and has plenty of scope for improvement, so will be a fascinating runner from draw three.
The Snaith-trained Wish List was somewhat unlucky to not catch Stormwatch when they met over this trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and, considering Stormwatch’s subsequent eyecatching second in the Diana, she must have a chance too, although she will have to overcome draw nine of nine.
Lowveld Lily, Keukenhof and Electromagnetism will have to up their games to be involved, but are no slouches at all and that they are viewed here as outsiders is a sign of the field’s strength.
This is sure to be one of the most exciting three-year-old fillies clashes in some time and is not to be missed!
Tony Peter Yard Bullish For Victory Moon And Summer Cup
Frank Robinson Confident Ahead Of Sunday's Jo'Burg Raid
Atticus Finch Tops The Summer Cup's Second Log
Atticus Finch will be out to defend his Betway Summer Cup title (JC Photos)
Danie Toerien (Tab4Racing)
After his resounding win in the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein on Saturday, Atticus Finch now tops the log for the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 29 November.
He moves into top spot at the expense of See It Again, who was scratched at the starting stalls in what was supposed to be his comeback run in a Conditions Plate over 1400m towards the end of October at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
See It Again will, however, get his first run of the season on Friday afternoon at Greyville in a Conditions Plate over 1600m, where he will come up against champion stayer King Pelles, and 2023 Summer Cup winner Royal Victory, in a small field of just seven.
Trainer Michael Roberts made no secret of his disappointment and anger after the scratching of See It Again last month, but he is confident that the Twice Over gelding will be ready for action on Friday.
He confirmed that See It Again is doing well and he is expecting a performance worthy of a Summer Cup slot come Friday.
According to Roberts, his plan is to send See It Again up to the Highveld for the Summer Cup just a few days before the race – probably on the Thursday or Friday before the event – depending on the weather.
It is also interesting to note that three supplementary entries are included in the top-20 on the Summer Cup log.
Eastern Cape raider My Best Shot, trained by Alan Greeff, finds himself on position 16 on the log after his runner-up finish in the Listed Betway Algoa Cup over 2000m on Friday. This four-year-old Fire Away gelding boasts 11 wins from 20 runs and will be making his first trip up country.
In recent years Greeff has had great success with his raiders, and My Best Shot looks a horse not to be underestimated.
Frank Robinson’s Shoot The Rapids is a rather surprise supplementary entry. He did finish just 1.50-lengths behind Pioneer Square in his comeback run in the Non-Black Type Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m recently, so it seems that connections are confident of his ability.
Anfields Rocket, who finished fifth in the Charity Mile, beaten 5 lengths by Atticus Finch, is the other supplementary entry who bounced straight into the top-20 on the Summer Cup log. He last tasted success in the Grade 1 SA Classic in March 2023, but with a merit rating of 109, he could find himself carrying a light weight in the R6-million race.
The Summer Cup log rankings are based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to merit ratings, recent form, form over the distance, performance in preparatory races, results in graded races.
The second Summer Cup log, in order position, horse, age and sex, merit rating, and trainer, is:
1 ATTICUS FINCH – 6G – 127 – Alec Laird
2 SEE IT AGAIN – 6G – 125 – Michael Roberts
3 ROYAL VICTORY – 6G – 125 – Nathan Kotzen
4 KING PELLES – 5G – 122 – Gareth van Zyl
5 SON OF RAJ – 6G – 119 – Tony Peter
6 MADISON VALLEY – 5G – 116 – Frank Robinson
7 ON MY HONOUR – 4G – 116 – Glen Kotzen
8 OTTO LUYKEN – 6G – 116 – James Crawford
9 THE EQUATOR (IRE) – 5H – 117 – Tony Peter
10 LEGEND OF ARTHUR – 4C – 117 – Sean Tarry
11 SPUMANTE DOLCE – 4F – 117 – Mike/Mathew de Kock
12 PARISIAN WALKWAY – 4G – 115 – Alec Laird
13 WILD INTENT – 4G – 116 – Lucky Houdalakis
14 OLIVIA’S WAY – 4F – 112 – Roy Magner
15 SOLAR SAIL – 4G – 115 – Mark Khan
16 (Supp) MY BEST SHOT – 4G – 116 – Alan Greeff
17 (Supp) SHOOT THE RAPIDS – 5G – 112 – Frank Robinson
18 (Supp) ANFIELDS ROCKET – 6G – 109 – Grant Maroun
19 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW – 4G – 112 – Grant Maroun
20 WORLD OF ALICE – 4F – 106 – Sean Tarry
Next in MR order:
FUTURE PEARL – 6G – 114 – Sean Tarry
MARAUDING HORDE – 5G – 112 – Mike/Mathew de Kock
THUNEE PLAYA – 5H – 107 – Mano Pandaram
HOTARUBI – 5G – 104 – Sean Tarry
DON’T CRY FOR ME – 4G – 104 – Sean Tarry
MOCHA BLEND – 4F – 104 – Frank Robinson
NAVAJO NATION – 5G – 104 – WO/WH Marwing
THE ULTIMATE KING – 4G – 103 – Tony Peter
CHESTNUT BOMBER – 4G – 97 – Johan Janse van Vuuren
(Supp) MASTERSHIP – 5G – 96 – Dianne Stenger
PIONEER SQUARE – 4G – 96 – Candice Dawson
COCOMELON – 4F – 95 – Sean Tarry
RIVER ROMEO – 6G – 95 – Mano Pandaram
OBSIDIAN – 4G – 94 – Johan Janse van Vuuren
INFINITE WONDER – 8G – 91 – Mano Pandaram
DIWALI ROCKET – 4G – 89 – Mano Pandaram
Scratched:
OKAVANGO – Justin Snaith
FIERY PEGASUS – Joe Soma
CONFEDERATE – Fabian Habib
RULE BY FORCE – Joe Soma
POETS WARRIOR – Mike Azzie
GREETING MY MASTER – Alec Laird
ARISTOTLE – Alec Laird
COUNT HUHTIKUU – James Crawford
PUMPKIN PIE – Candice Dawson
ENFLAME – Candice Dawson
Keagan de Melo To Leave HK And Return To SA
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has acceded to a request from former SA Champion Jockey Keagan De Melo to withdraw his current part-season Jockey’s licence effective from 1 December 2025.
De Melo submitted the application on the grounds of returning to South Africa for personal reasons.
Riding in Hong Kong is the dream of many jockey around the globe and De Melo would have arrived full of hope in August 2023.
However, securing good rides on the island is notoriously difficult.
The effect of not getting rides can snowball and this is what looked to have happened to De Melo as he had a lack of support throughout his stint of just over two years.
A look at the current log sees him having had the second least number of rides this season of the more than 20 contracted jockeys.
He has had a paltry 47 rides this season and is yet to get off the mark, a ridiculous situation for a jockey of his skills.
In his first season he had 21 wins and 12 in his second season.
He had 33 wins in all at a strike rate of 5%, but he did have one memorable moment when winning the G3 Premier Cup on Copartner Prince, a horse he has also partnered to a Gr 2 and Gr 3 second this season respectively.
However, South Africa will be looking forward to welcoming this fine rider back and he should be in demand from day one.
Flavien Prat's Incredible Weekend Recognised By Jockeys' Guild
Flavien Prat wins the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Filly And Mare Sprint on Splendora (via youtube)
Flavien Prat had two Gr 1 wins at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar last Saturday and the following day he set a new New York record by riding seven winners at Belmont, including six-in-a-row.
His achievement has been honoured by the Jockeys Guild, who named him Jockey Of The Week.
Laguna Verde Can End Win Drought
Former Highveld horse Laguna Verde has dropped from a high of 106 in March 2023 to a current 83 rating and he showed signs of not being far from a win in the East Cape when running on well last time out (JC Photos)
Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections
R1 1 ICONIC WINTER had useful form on the Highveld and in one run in KZN and could be the one to beat. 4 OCEAN FLAME ran second first time out in the East Cape after arriving from Cape Town and has a good chance. 5 PRICELESS TREASURE has been knocking on the door and from a plum draw should be right there. 9 ENGELANDPARK has not been disgraced in three races in Cape Town and KZN and can’t be written off. (1-4-5-9)
R2 2 ENCHANTING CHOICE comes off a hattrick and the ease of her last win suggests she can progress further. 1 SPLICETHEMAINBRACE’s top class form has tailed off a little bit, but if bouncing back she will be right there. 3 ARABIAN RED has the form to earn here. 4 MONTELENA is not far off Enchanting Choice on form. (2-1-3-4)
R3 3 CLIFFIE CLAVIN has hard-knocking form over 1400m and should be ready to do well over this trip. 1 PROLIFIC STAR has been knocking on the door and should appreciate the step down to 1600m. 5 GREY WARRIOR has a plum draw over an ideal trip and should be in the shake up. 2 BOMBER BAY disappointed last time but has a fair draw and should bounce back. (3-1-5-2)
R4 1 TERMINAL VELOCITY has not been far off them in KZN and has a big chance. 5 GOLDEN CROC Is knocking hard and is drawn in pole over an ideal distance. 3 AM STILL WINNING has fair form up to 1400m and being by Pomodoro might enjoy this step up in trip. 2 GLOBAL SCENE never runs a bad race and from a fair draw should earn. (1-5-3-2)
R5 7 HONORABLE MEMBER Is knocking hard and this distance looks ideal. 2 EPIKLEROS is out to score a hattrick, but at the weights does not have an easy task with Honorable Member. 4 FIRST WISH is currently only two points higher than her last winning mark, and she should give a good account of herself. 1 FLIGHT DISPLAY Comes off a good win over this distance, but does have a four point raise to contend with. (7-2-4-1)
R6 3 LAGUNA VERDE Is an unreliable sort, but showed signs last time of bouncing back to his best. 1 DOWSER has some class and if repeating his last start, he should be right there. 8 DYNALLEY has been in good form and is a contender here. 10 SILVANO’S SONG Comes back from a layoff, but if close to his best, he should be right there. (3-1-8-10)
R7 2 CHERRY OH BABY has talent but is hard to win with although with Richard Fourie up she should have a chance. 4 SPOIL YOURSELF won 1900m in September, but is effective over this trip too and can’t be ignored. 10 DARLING GIRL won an open maiden last time, but does sneak into the handicap yard with the minimum weight so can’t be written off. 5 GENOVEFA Should be a big runner here with a return to the poly as she won her first start in the East Cape on this surface. (2-4-10-5)
R8 2 HOSPICES DE BEAUNE a repeat of his last stat should see him going close here. 4 RAVILIOUS is in fine form and should be right there. 5 THE ROARING ROCK has the form to be a contender here and Richard Fourie up is a bonus. 3 LUCKY SPIRIT could be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw.(2-4-5-3)
Cognac To Make It Three From Three
Cognac will be attempting to remain unbeaten (Anneke Akal Kitching)
Hollywoodbets Greyville Friday Formguides And Selections
R1 Summary: SON OF RAFEEF (3) has had the misfortune of finding two prospective top class performers in his two starts to date and unless there is a ‘spring’ among the first timers he should get the job done. THE MARQUEE (8) looks to be the biggest threat after being narrowly beaten in two smart efforts and should be running on strongly. CHRISTMAS CACTUS (4) was some three lengths back to The Marquee at their last meeting but he should improve on his debut effort with a 4kg claimer up adding to his chances. GREATEST HIT (7) raced green in a fair debut and did find some market support. One to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-4-7).
R2 Summary: Fascinating Conditions Plate being a warm-up for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup for some of the runners. KING PELLES (1) ran a cracker in a sprint behind I Am Giant last time out and although he will prefer further he must have a decent chance on that showing. ROYAL VICTORY (2) was running on late behind Madison Valley over 1400m last time out and should come on from that outing although this is short of his best. SEE IT AGAIN (6) was controversially scratched after refusing to load at his last intended start. If he goes in he has a chance. CLAW (3) is not a Cup entry and over his preferred trip. ON MY HONOUR (4) was a beaten favourite last run and not disgraced behind Madison Valley. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-3-4).
R3 Summary: Tricky open Maiden. SUGAR BABY LOVE (9) has only had two starts and was not far back last time out. With a 4kg claimer up she should be in the shake-up. QUEEN OF THE AIR (7) has been a little disappointing and may prefer the poly but can feature in this line-up. BALTIC ASSAYER (8) can do better than his last effort and has a chance of he can get away from his field. COOL WIND (3) is struggling but has shown flashes of ability and at best has a winning chance. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-8-3).
R4 Summary: FINE WINE (5) has been knocking at the door for some time now and will never get a better opportunity to shed maiden. INTRO (7) was a beaten favourite last run but did not go on with her effort. That was on the poly and the switch back to turf could suit. SHEEZAROCKET (8) is seldom too far back and the step up in trip could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-8-3).
R5 Summary: HARUN AL RASHID (4) has not shown since his maiden win but obviously has some issues given that he is lightly raced. He is down four pounds in the ratings and is one to watch in the market. QUERARI’S DREAM (1) has the best of the draw and has been close up in his last two. He gets a stronger rider aboard. There should be very little between PAPA C (5) and RICCARDO (2) the former looking to be the better proposition given the he meets his rival at the same weights as when they met two runs back. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-5-2).
R6 Summary: COGNAC (12) looks to be top class, winning both of his starts to date. But this is his first try at 1400m with top weight and the worst of the draw. Possibly just a warm-up before heading to the Cape. SAFE TRAVEL (5) showed up well in his handicap debut behind what looks to be a more than useful winner. He has a fair draw and should be a big threat. ROOSTER BRADSHAW (8) was in need of his last run but not far back and should run another good race. Given the riding engagements, DRICUS (3) could be the best of Andre Nel’s trio. He started favourite in his local debut and can come on from that. (Andrew Harrison: 12-5-3-8).
R7 Summary: DARK MATTER (9) does not have the best of draws but was close-up in a strong field last time out even though carrying a light weight. Down on class she should make a fist of it. SHIPINDANI (4) needed her last run at Durbanville and was not far back. Lightly raced she can go close here. CRAFTY CROFTY (1) was close-up in a useful field over course and distance last time out. She gets the benefit of a useful 4kg claimer and should run well. AMEN CORNER (8) makes her local debut. She had modest Cape post maiden form but has a light weight and is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-1-8).
R8 Summary: CATS PAJAMAS (8) ran a cracker behind I Am Giant in his comeback run after a break. He has drawn on the outside here but is well in at the weights with a useful 4kg claimer aboard and he rates the horse to beat although he faces two class acts in former Equus Champion DAVE THE KING (6) and Gr1 Champions Cup winner GLADATORIAN (7) this pair would prefer further but their class can carry them through. SOHO STAR (1) is course and distance suited and should put in a strong showing. (Andrew Harrison: 8-7-6-1).
R9 Summary: Difficult race to round off the Pick 6. PHUTULICIOUS (7) is showing signs of coming to hand again and has dropped to a more competitive rating. RHYTHM (5) was finishing well under a big weight last time out and appears to have come to hand again. IN THE BAG (8) has been knocking on the door for his second win and has much in his favour. BARRY DU GROND (2) found his best form on the poly last run. He has always struck as something of an under achiever. (Andrew Harrison: 7-5-8-2).
R10 Summary: MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON (2) has run three forwards races since returning from a lay-off. She gets a handy galloping weight from a good draw. COPACABANA (1) is a winner over this course and distance beating Mountainsofthemoon. She gets a highly rated apprentice aboard from the best of the draw. QUEEN OF PEARLS (5) shed her maiden at second time of asking and got a hefty rating for her troubles. She makes her local debut and the betting should be your best guide. DE VLUGGE (7) showed up well first up out of the maidens and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-5-7).
Today's Question
Which 1950s horse in South Africa, who had cost Mr JS Klein 450 Gns at the 1953 Yearling Sale, won seven of his first 13 races for over £16,000 in stakes earnings including winning the Summer Handicap under Joe Byrnes by five lengths.
The picture is of the subject
Today’s Question Answer
Casbah was a small, dappled grey trained by Les Rathbone.
He was a great favourite with the crowds because he often won by wide margins.
In the 1955 Summer Handicap he drew away from the rest of the field four furlongs from home and won by five lengths, beating a field that included Magic Link and the top class Naigana Hall.
His wins also included the Dingaans, but he was never himself again after a journey to Cape Town.
His only win thereafter was in the Johannesburg Spring Handicap.
