Splitheeights Classic Bound But Triple Crown A Bridge Too Far
Splitheeights wins more cosily than the 0,60 length margin suggests under big race stalwart Raymond Danielson (Picture: 4Racing)
Mike and Mathew de Kock will likely have the two favourites for the G1 1 SA Classic on March 7, Saturday’s Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner Splittheeights and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen, but Splittheeights is the only remaining SA Triple Crown candidate and he will not be entered in the last leg of the series.
The Cape Guineas used to be an alternate first leg of the Triple Crown, but that is no longer the case and thus Jan Van Goyen does not qualify as a Triple Crown contender.
The legendary Mike de Kock-trained Horse Chestnut was the first ever SA Triple Crown winner and the three legs he completed actually began with the Cape Guineas.
The SA Classic over 1800m and the SA Derby over 2450m are the last two legs of the Triple Crown.
All three legs take place at Turffontein Standside.
However, De Kock has said Splittheeights would not go for the last leg.
He said, “He is not a Derby horse, so even if he wins the SA Classic he won’t go for the last leg.”
Mike said both Splittheeights and Jan van Goyen would go for the SA Classic and One Eye On Vegas would also probably run in the Gr 1 1800m classic on March 7.
He said about Splittheeights’ stamina capacity, “Vercingetorix has a lot of quick runners, but he is a super sire, he throws two-milers and he throws five furlong horses. Raymond Danielson felt that he still had more at the line, but I recognise the fact that he is a half-brother to William Robertson, so the extra 200m is not guaranteed for us. We are well aware of that, so it is going to be interesting.”
Asked on how confident they were before the race of Splittheeights winning, Mike said, “We were pretty confident, but we were nervous of our other horse One Eye On Vegas. I think One Eye On Vegas drawn three of four would have given him a little bit more cheek.”
One Eye On Vegas ran on well from last on Saturday after being dropped out from a wide draw and he crossed the line 0,90 lengths behind the winner in third place, before being demoted to fourth after an objection against him on behalf of the favourite Trust was upheld.
The De Kocks actually knew nothing about the objection inquiry until it was over, as is described in the following Sporting Post article (Click here to read the article).
Mike said about One Eye On Vegas’ SA Classic participation, “I have always been a little bit wary of the extra 200m for One Eye On Vegas, but based on Saturday we will have to try. He is fast more than he’s got stamina, he’s a pretty quick horse and he’s by Buffalo Bill Cody, so one has to say his top end is probably a mile, but given Saturday’s performance, finishing like he did, I would say we have to run him in the 1800m.”
He can not have any such qualms about Jan van Goyen, because asked on whether he viewed him as a Hollywoodbets Durban July horse, he replied, “Most definitely.”
He said a line could be drawn through Jan Van Goyen’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas run and explained that just a glance at the sectional timing of the race was enough to confirm that the jockeys of the De Kock coupling Dave The King and Jan van Goyen had had no idea how fast they were actually going. Dave The King had set a ridiculous pace, and Jan Van Goyen had chased it a few lengths behind him.
However, he said Jan Van Goyen was fine and would be running in the SA Classic.
Murugasas Score Deserved First Gr 2 Victory
Jayson and Preshalin Murugasa are third from the right and second from the right respectively in this post race celebratory photograph (JC Photos)
Jayson and Preshalin Murugasa won their first ever feature race when the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix colt Splittheeights won the Gr 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m last month and on Saturday the same horse landed them their first Gr 2 when surging to victory in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas under Raymond Danielson.
Mike de Kock said about Jayson and Preshalin, “They have had horses for about eight to ten years and have spent a helluva lot of money in the game. But they are fantastic people and unbelievably good sports. You normally say that about the winners, but they have also lost for a long time and have taken it all on the chin. They have spent a lot at the Sales. In fact I think Brett Crawford bought this horse for them, credit to him, although I would have to confirm that. We have really enjoyed training for them. They (Jayson and Preshalin) give it a good Turffontein shout when they hit the front, don’t you worry about that!”
Jayson Murugasa was noticeably emotional in the winner’s enclosure after the big win and left most of the talking to his son Preshalin.
Preshalin thanked a number of people and spoke about the victory having been the culmination of a great team effort.
Ridgemont Stud were the breeders of Splittheeights and Preshalin revealed that it was appropriately the birthday of Craig Carey on the day of Splittheeights’ big win.
He also revealed that it was actually “Dad” who did most of the screaming in the last 200m of any race.
Raymond Danielson has become an important member of the team and is undefeated on the colt in two starts.
The biggest mystery of Danielson’s career is he has never challenged for a championship, as he certainly has the ability and has a phenomenal big race record for a jockey who is seldom close to the top of the log.
He used to be known as “super sub” and in typcial fashion his recent stint in Mauritius saw him winning prolifically and among his wins was on Good Council (Oratorio) in the island’s biggest race, the Gr 1 Maiden Cup over 2400m.
Raymond had expressed surprise on taking over the ride on Splittheeights that the Murugasas were yet to win a feature race.
Indeed it is surprising, because their colours have been prominent around the country for quite a while now.
Mathew de Kock said Raymond fitted particularly well into the Splitheeights team because he regularly plays golf with the De Kocks and the Murugasas, who have become close family friends.
Splittheeights was actually named during racing’s most popular golfing tournament, the Wild Coast Racing Masters.
The nights at that enjoyable tournament are often characterised by raucous camaraderie around the blackjack table.
On one such occasion the guy who was playing on the last box on Mike and Jayson’s table went against etiquette and split his pair of eights, which ultimately cost Mike and Jayson some big winnings.
However, it did at least lead to the naming of the horse.
Mike said, “It is a nice he has become a good horse, because often when you have those clever names the horse amounts to nothing.”
Hopefully the floodgates will now open for the Murugasas.
Their fortunes will certainly be interesting to follow, because the taste of a big win usually leads to a yearning for more such victories.
Splittheeights can claim to be the best three-year-old in the land considering Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen was beaten by Trust in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans and Splittheeights has now beaten Trust twice since then. On the other hand Trust was unlucky in Saturday’s race.
Splittheeights is yet another big race winner for the mighty sire Vercingetorix.
He is out of the Trippi mare Masschussets which makes him a half-brother to the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint winner William Robertson.
William Robertson has done well over a mile too and has a Gr 3 fourth place over 1800m, while Vercingetorix won Gr 1s over 2000m and 1800m, so there was no real concern over the step up in trip.
In his previous start in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, Splitheeights had turned it on in impressive style and although receiving 2kg from Trust he had beaten him by 2,50 lengths, which put him half-a-length ahead of Trust on paper.
He had also caught the eye more than Trust had n that race.
Nevertheless, Trust had beaten the champion Jan Van Goyen over 1600m and was not only back to that trip, but he was reunited with his regular rider Serino Moodley.
So, Trust started as the 9/4 favourite, first drifting out to 5/2 before shortening late, whereas Splitheeights vied for favouritism but started at 5/2.
A good pace was set by Splittheeights’ 25/1 chance stablemate Yippee Kayay with the 33/1 shot stablemate I’m A Fireball behind him.
Trust broke well and was in joint third place, but was caught one wide without cover.
Splitheeights had the perfect position under Raymond Danielson, sitting in behind Trust.
Yippee Kayay stole a march as they turned for home and opened up a big lead.
Dingaans third-placed All Systems Go, an East Cape raider, was the first to give chase together with Radio Star on the outside.
Splitheeights switched out and swept past Radio Star with an impressive burst while still in the hands.
Trust was still biding his time in the centre.
As Moodley got to work on Trust, One Eye On Vegas switched outward under Sean Veale and took up his running, forcing Trust to be eased.
Meanwhile, the smart Grand Empire had come from backward of midfield to challenge for the lead.
One Eye On Vegas was also making big forward strides too.
However, Splittheeights was going best of all and Danielson just had to keep him straight and administer a backhand or two to get then job done winning by 0,60 lengths from Grand Empire with One Eye On Vegas 0,30 lengths further back. Trust rallied late to be beaten just 1,40 lengths into fourth with Yippee Kayay running a brave a 2,15 length fifth.
Serino Moodley objected on behalf of Trust against One Eye On Vegas and was placed third, while the latter was demoted to fourth and an inquiry has been opened into the incident.
Bred by Ridgemont, Splittheeights was an August 2yo Sale R600 000 purchase.
Splittheeights has now won three races with two places from his five starts for stakes earnings of R994 888.
Triple Tiara Bound Hazy Dazy Turns Rob Macnab's Day Around
Hazy Dazy saunters to an easy win in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas under Trent Mayhew (JC Photos)
Rob Macnab, whose colours both William Robertson and Hazy Dazy run in, pointed out the excellent example provided on Saturday of the “highs and lows” of racing.
The Corne Spies-trained Gr l winner William Robertson had been strongly fancied for a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m but jumped at an awkward angle, causing jockey Ryan Munger’s knee to slam against the gate.
He lost his irons and with it went William Robertson’s chances.
Munger had to be stood down for the rest of the meeting.
However, about 40 minutes later William Robertson’s stablemate Hazy Dazy won the first leg of the Wigerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, in fine style in the same colours.
It was a most deserved win for the trainer and connections especially considering they had kept apprentice Trent Mayhew aboard.
Mayhew has ridden Hazy Dazy in five of her seven starts.
It seems there is every chance the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara could be claimed for the sixth time as Hazy Dazy gave the impression she would relish a step up in trip after winning Saturday’s race by 2,10 lengths with seemingly a ton still in hand.
In fact, Corne Spies said after the win they had been concerned about the first leg of the series over 1600m actually being too short for her, considering she had won over 2000m before.
So, she will likely be going all out for the next two legs, despite this Act Of War filly’s pedigree having a speedy female line.
Hazy Dazy was allowed to drift out to an astonishing 25/1, despite having won the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile in her last start on Betway Summer Cup day. Furthermore, the form of the Fillies Mile had been franked when runner up Charge It had come out and won the Listed War Of Athena Handicap over 1800m in her next start.
Hazy Dazy did have to overcome a tough draw of 12 out of 14 and, as previously mentioned, her rider Trent Mayhew is still an apprentice.
However, she ultimately outclassed the opposition to prove herself a smart prospect.
Mayhew managed to get her into a one wide position with cover in about sixth place. She was the third horse in the one out train.
Her classy but speedy stablemate Elegantrix led with Daisy Jones sitting on her quarters with the hot favourite Golden Palm in the box seat and Warm Reception and Frangipani inside of Hazy Dazy.
Golden Palm had hit the front going through the 400m mark and Hazy Dazy appeared to be battling to get going.
However, she was not losing any ground and then when she changed legs she sauntered to the front while still actually looking green.
She won by 2,10 lengths with seemingly a ton in hand.
Charge It, who started at 7/1, ran on well to be her runner up again.
Golden Palm started at 87/100 and was a 3,10 length third. Her excuse might have been that she was sent for home too soon, but that was understandable from Craig Zackey, who is a master of timing, because in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas she had got going too late under Keagan de Melo.
The Justin Snaith-trained raider Lowveld Lily ran on very well from backward of midfield to finish a 4,35 length fourth.
The small horse with the big action Littlemissmillion flew late to deny the rank outsider Daisy Jones fifth place.
Hazy Dazy was bred by Breedon Stud Close Corporation and is by Act Of War out of the Eightfold Path mare, Rabbedoe.
She was a BSA December Online sale R37 500 purchase and in seven starts has five wins a place and earnings of R929 550 for owners Mr D Dasrath & Mrs C Dasrath, Messrs R P Macnab, S Poriazis, Vikash Sobaren, X Spies & D Vayapuri.
Rob Macnab also revealed he had got 120/1 with a bookmaker for Hazy Dazy to land the Triple Tiara.
3Yos Are Exposed And July Weight Saving Routes Look Likely
Jan Van Goyen thrashes Cape Town’s best 3YOS in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Jan Van Goyen will “most definitely” be targeted at the Hollywoodbets Durban July and he should have a chance of being well weighted as this Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Master Of My Fate colt is a member of a three-year-old male crop who look more exposed than ever after the running of the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas on Saturday.
Mike de Kock said a line could be drawn through Jan Van Goyen’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas run and explained that just a glance at the sectional timing of the race was enough to confirm that the jockeys of the De Kock coupling Dave The King and Jan van Goyen had had no idea how fast they were actually going. Dave The King had set a ridiculous pace, and Jan Van Goyen had chased it a few lengths behind him.
However, he said Jan Van Goyen had come out of the race fine.
He added that the R10 million prize for the July would make the build up for a potential three-year-old runner a whole new ball game and elaborated, “Handicapping is going to be everything.”
He said running in open races would be avoided by potential July three-year-olds, because of the risk of a massive merit rating raise.
Avoiding certain races will likely be even more in vogue this year due to the longer handicap being introduced with a 10kg spread in the weights.
However, the three-year-old classics should not be compromised as De Kock pointed out that the three-year-old form had shown there to be no dominant horse and their form was well exposed. They look to be overrated even with no big ratings for any of them yet.
He said Trust had not shown himself to be a 119 on Saturday, although admitting he might not have performed to his best.
Trust was hampered at a crucial stage too.
He pointed at numerous examples of exposed three-year-olds, with two examples having run in Saturday’s Gauteng Guineas, the 0,30 lengths runner up Grand Empire and the 2,15 length fifth-placed Yippee Kay Yay.
He said, “Those are two well exposed three-year-olds in my opinion and Grand Empire actually didn’t win that Listed race against older horses either (off a 102 merit rating he had finished second to 104-rated Pressonregardless (in the Wolf Power 1600 (handicap), although he was 2kg under sufferance). So what does that say about the three-year-olds? What are their real ratings?”
The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is certainly going to be fascinating and have tongues wagging as trainers jostle for position, weighing up the weight they come in with against the risk of not qualifying if they are too cautious.
Could Act Of War Have A Second Triple Tiara Winner?
War Of Athena winning the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic in front of empty sands during the Covid-19 lockdown period (JC Photos)
Corne Spies is targeting the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara with Breedon Stud-bred Hazy Dzy and if she does it she will be the second Act Of War filly to have won the Triple Tiara to date.
The five Triple Tiara winners to date are Igugu (Galileo), Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge), Summer Pudding (Silvano), War Of Athena (Act Of War) and Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade).
So if Hazy Dazy does it Act Of War will become the first stallion to have sired two Triple Tiara winners.
The KZN Midlands-based sire had two Gr 1 winners in his first crop.
However, his fate has ultimayely been affected by his unfashionable status when he arrived at stud.
When such a horse goes to stud he will be reasonably well supported in his first year, but the numbers then dwindle before the first progeny have run.
If the first crop contain some stars, the support then multiplies dramatically.
However, later down the line it appears that the stallion could be a one crop wonder, because his second and third crops are not performing as well, whereas in actual fact it the lack of numbers and quality of mares in those crops that are actually chiefly responsible.
The prices at the Sales then decrease.
Astute buyers would have known that the crop that Hazy Dazy came from was in fact his best crop to buy, because that was the year in which he got the most support.
Act Of War’s number of mares per year according to the NHA have been 47, 33, 13, 40, 76, 125, 41, 29 and according to their report zero mares last year.
Hazy Dazy was bought for a bargain R37 500 on a BSA Online December Sale and has won five races with one place from her 7 starts for stakes earnings of R929 550.
It just shows the shrewd can still land bargains in the dream industry.
Act Of War is by the top class July winner Dynasty, who was a stamina influence at stud and he would have been Champion Sire in the 2014/2015 season had the Gold Cup not been postponed from a date in July to a date in August due to inclement weather.
Act Of War himself won the Gr 1 Cape Guineas and was runner up in the Gr 1 Cape Derby over 2000m.
Hazy Dazy has a speedy female line. It did not effect her ability over 2000m, a trip she has won over before, and in fact the Corne Spies yard were a touch concerned the mile on Saturday would be too sharp.
But will those speedy genes affect her ability to stay the 2450m of the SA Oaks?
Hazy Dazy’s dam, the Hartley SA-bred Eightfold Path mare Rabbedoe, had three runs from 1000m to 1160m for one win and a second and she in turn was a daughter of the three time-winning sprinter Brataloochee, who was a daughter of sprinter Cataloochee.
Eightfold Path did not make much impact as a sire, but was one of the best bred horses to be standing in South Africa in his time.
He was by Giant’s Causeway out of the wonderful racehorse Divine Proportions, who was a European Champion two-year-old filly and European Champion three-year-old filly and she won five Gr 1s in all.
Eightfold Path is beginning to make an impact as a broodmare sire, so his pedigree might now be coming through.
The Gauteng Fillies Guineas fifth-placed Littlemissmillion is also out of an Eightfold Path mare.
King Pelles Bounces Back To Win The umThombothi Stakes
King Pelles showed his usual fine turn of foot to win comfortably despite carrying joint topweight of 62,5kg (Picture: Race Coast)
Andrew Harrison
King Pelles fluffed his lines in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup but he was back in fine form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday. Shouldering top weight, S’manga Khumalo gave him a confident ride to win the UmThombothi Stakes but he was hard-pressed by pacemaker Go Grayson Go who was running up to his name.
Over a distance that is palpably short of his best, King Pelles was helped by Go Grayson Go, Frikkie Greyling’s colt setting a solid gallop and keeping all honest which will have helped the favourite.
King Pelles was in cruise mode at the top of the straight and had the measure of most of his rivals, but apprentice Dezahn Louw was extracting more out of his mount and Khumalo had to work a little harder than expected to get the favourite home.
Van Zyl was candid in his post-race interview saying that he expected King Pelles to win a little more comfortably that what he was forced to do. “He was fit enough to win but we did not want him to ‘empty’ out too much with this run.”
Barring a first timer ‘springer’ Green Energy was the best bet on the card and those that cashed in were well rewarded with Buffalo King Cody attracting most of the market attention.
Adam Azzie has obviously learned well from his father Mike, as the Gimmethegreenlight colt was turned out without a hair out of place and he arrived in similar fashion as the Gauteng raider tried hard. He was in contention for a few strides but once Serino Moodley put the hammer down, Green Energy pulled away to win in the manner of a horse that has a future.
Dennis Bosch has been around the block more than just a few times. He no longer chases the limelight, although if the right horse came along he would give Andrew Fortune a run for his money, but he is as shrewd as they come. First timer Durban Diamond landed a gable in the second as replacement rider Craig Zackey landed the gamble with the more exposed Japura chasing her home ahead of Mekong who was all at sea and one for the notebook.
Past Is Prologue is a filly that sits close to Gareth van Zyl’s heart. “It was a long journey with her and she has been lightly raced for a reason but she has been worth it. I got two take ways from Cape Town other than the experience …..she was two.”
A filly with a high knee action, we may not see her around a turn anytime soon but she is a good-looking daughter of Futura.
Keagan de Melo was booked off after an injury suffered at Turffontein on Saturday and he missed out on a possible treble with replacement riders filling in. Durban Diamond for Zackey, Calvin Habib on Sovereign Gem for Alyson Wright and Rachel Venniker for Garth Puller on Mohave Prince in the Progress Plate where Salani Kahle, after his recent victory was sent out favouite. But he didn’t make much impression from the back of the field as Royal Sword found himself in front and hard to catch in a small field but stable companion Mohave Princes made pressing progress to get home late ahead of Gotta Go Eddie with Royal Sword staying on for the minor money.
The Class 4 over 1750m was a competitive handicap but French Trip was given a smart ride by promising apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto. Sitting just off the pace and told not to break his mounts stride by seasoned Gr1 winning trainer Duncan Howells, he took the shortest way home with a clear run at the line and got home rather comfortably ahead of favourite Actor with Continentalexpress running on strongly and one to take note off when next he stretches to over 2400m and further.
Spirited Girl Can Close Out Meeting At Vaal Classic
Spirited Girl has a good draw in the last race at the Vaal on Tuesday and the form of her last start has been franked (JC Photos)
Race 1
1 ARISTOTLE 4 CHESTNUT BOMBER 6 BAKWENA 3 KUDZU
Preview: 1 ARISTOTLE won nicely last time and has a fine chance of repeating the feat with a further step up in trip against an uninspiring field. 4 CHESTNUT BOMBER is capable of running on well and should enjoy this trip. 6 BAKWENA has the ability to earn here. 3 KUDZU is never far off and could earn. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-3)
Race 2
5 EL ZANI 1 SLENDER SILHOUETTE 7 NICOLSON LANDING 3 MASTER’S LADY
Preview: 5 EL ZANI made a fine debut and could go one better, although by trends she is drawn on the wrong side. 1 SLENDER SILHOUETTE is usually thereabouts and from a middle to high draw should be thereabouts. 7 NICOLSON LANDING has a lowish draw of three but has the form to be a contender. 3 MASTER’S LADY is drawn on the right side and has a form chance. (David Thiselton 5-1-7-3)
Race 3
6 POWER OF TIGER 4 KING REDOUTE 5 MRS STORMIATRIX 7 BELLA BOOP BOOP
Preview: 6 POWER OF TIGER ws disappointing last time but is capable of better and now has a professional jockey aboard. 4 KING REDOUTE ran quite well over 1160m last time and could be in the shake up. 5 MRS STORMIATRIX 7 BELLA BOOP BOOP returns from a rest but might run well fresh over this trip. (David Thiselton 6-4-5-7)
Race 4
2 AFRICAN PRIDE 4 CHAPBOOK 3 TRAJANUS
Preview: 2 AFRICAN PRIDE has a lot of pace and his best performance was over this course and distance. 4 CHAPBOOK disappointed last time but if repeating his only 1000m start on the Highveld he has a big chance and he is drawn on the right side with Lerena up. 3 TRAJANUS disappointed last time but a line can be drawn through that run and at his best he has a shout. (David Thiselton 2-4-3)
Race 5
6 STONEYWOOD 1 CAROLINE ISLAND 8 PIVOTAL ROLE 5 HIS LORDSHIP
Preview: 6 STONEYWOOD looks to be a progressive sort who can follow up on his dominant. 1 CAROLINE ISLAND is hard-knocking and should be in the shake up. 8 PIVOTAL ROLE won easily second time out and the form has been franked, but he does return from a four month layoff. 5 HIS LORDSHIP is in good form and can earn again. (David Thiselton 6-1-8-5)
Race 6
3 STORMY DAY 7 MAVERICK QUEEN 4 TUSCAN ROMANCE 5 THERE SHE GOES
Preview: 3 STORMY DAY looked to be a highly promising sort until running no kind of a race last time but that was a Gr 3 event and she can bounce back in ordinary company after a three month layoff. 7 MAVERICK QUEEN is a hard knocker who should be right there. 4 TUSCAN ROMANCE is consistent and should be in the shake up again. 5 THERE SHE GOES is in fine form and goes well for this rider. (David Thiselton 3-7-4-5)
Race 7
4 PLUMBAGO PARK 5 QUIET WINTER 7 LOVABLE 8 FIERY FROLIC
Preview: 4 PLUMBAGO PARK has been knocking hard since her maiden win and can get it right here from a good draw over a suitable trip. 5 QUIET WINTER gets three points relief from the handicapper but does have a tough draw. 7 LOVABLE has run well in both starts and should be a big runner here, although the draw makes it tricky. 8 FIERY FROLIC has done well in all three runs on the Highveld and can earn again. (David Thiselton 4-5-7-8)
Race 8
5 COPPER CLIFF 7 CARTAGENA 9 COPPER PLATE 10 EUPHRATES
Preview: 5 COPPER CLIFF relished the step up in trip to 2000m last time and can make it a hattrick with a further step up to 2400m. 7 CARTAGENA is in fine form over staying trips and goes for the hattrick off a four point higher mark. 9 COPPER PLATE is well drawn and can go close if repeating his last start. 10 EUPHRATES has done well with blinkers on over staying trips and should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 5-7-9-10)
Race 9
1 STORM AHEAD 3 FORCE PUBLIQUE 5 UNSOLVED RIDDLE
Preview: 1 STORM AHEAD has a form chance if producing his best. 3 FORCE PUBLIQUE is in with a shout in this line. 5 UNSOLVED RIDDLE can be right here if at his best. (David Thiselton 1-3-5)
Race 10
8 SPIRITED GIRL 12 KYLIE’S ANGEL 6 CONCORDIA 7 PRINCESS LOLA
Preview: 8 SPIRITED GIRL looks the one to beat in this line up. 12 KYLIE’S ANGEL has a form chance if at her best. 6 CONCORDIA ran well last time and can earn again. 7 PRINCESS LOLA capable of being right there if at her best. (David Thiselton 8-12-6-7)
Today's Question
Who is regarded as the greatest horseracing commentator of all time and commentated in 50 consecutive Grand Nationals?
The picture is of the subject
FIELDS, Tuesday, 10 February
Vaal Classic
Today’s Question Answer
Sir Peter O’Sullevan CBE (1918–2015) was a legendary Irish-British horse racing commentator and journalist, famously known as “the voice of racing”. He was the BBC’s leading commentator from 1947 to 1997, covering 50 Grand Nationals and major events like Royal Ascot. He was the first sports commentator to receive a knighthood.
Click here to listen to some of Peter O’Sullevan’s best commentaries
