David Thiselton: Award-winning journo.
Selection: “I’m going with Pomp And Power in the Daily News and my double goes on Flying Carpet who is at attractive odds for the July.”
Neil Andrews: Probably lost count of his number of awards and the “call-up” guy for the major racing events.
Selection “With Double Superlative out, I think the way may be clear for Pomp And Power to land the Daily News-July double.”
Daryl Maree: 4Racing tipster with a big following.Selection: “I’m going with Pomp And Power for the Daily News and Senso Unico to place in the July. The bet works out at 20-1.”
Clyde Basel: Long-standing commentator and presenter of 4Racing’s “Weighted To Win” show.
Selection: “I’m keen on Senso Unico to run a place in the July and Sparkling Water to win the July.”
Dave Scott: A guy with an infectious appetite for racing and head of the African Betting Clan website.
Selection: “I’m siding with the De Kock stable taking Safe Passage for the Daily News and Sparkling Water for the July.”
Nico Kritsiotis: Popular commentator and presenter who began his career in Zimbabwe.
Selection: “This looks a good bet – Safe Passage to win the Daily News and Sparkling Water to place in the July.”
Alistair Cohen: Commentator who took his first step in Dubai like a pro and he’s only a youngster!Selection: “I think I’ll be a little different and go for Red Saxon in the Daily News and Sparkling Water in the July.”
Brandon Bailey: Commentator/presenter who bubbles with enthusiasm – bright future ahead.
Selection: “I am taking Pomp And Power for the Daily News and take my chances with Do It Again to win the July again.”
Grant Knowles: Highly-regarded for his knowledge of the sport and managing director of Cape Thoroughbred Sales.Selection: “Pomp And Power for the Daily News and Linebacker for the July.”
Jack Milner: Former top internationnal tennis writer now working for The Citizen.
Selection: “Safe Passage is my Daily News fancy and then Naval Guard to surprise them all if he gets into the July.”
Colin Gordon: Head of 4Racing with vast experience in the sport.Selection: “I’m going for the Pomp And Power double – I believe he can win them both. But I’ll be keeping an eye on Safe Passage’s return and Waterberry Lake’s run.”
Tony Peter: Son of trainer Paul Peter who has been a vital cog in his father’s success this season.
Selection: “I’m going for the Pomp And Power double – I think he has the class to pull it off.”
can pull iClyde Basel: Commentator with a big following and who has many years in the game.
Charl Pretorius: Fearless racing scribe and arguably the best on the African continent. Former editor of Turftalk and no surprise to see him snatched up by the International Racing Club.
Selection: “I’ll row in with Pomp And Power for the Daily News and I think Sparkling Water can be Mike’s (De Kock) third female winner of the July.”
Ken Nicol: Long-time racing scribe and former editor of Turftalk. Happily on the road to recovery after being taken ill in January.
Selection: “I think it’s quite on the cards that Pomp And Power will pull off the Daily News and July double.”
Laurence Wernars: Has enjoyed his best season to date and his colt, Karangetang, was voted “Champion Two Year-Old Colt” at the Highveld awards.Selection: “I’ll go with Pomp And Power for the Daily News and a surprise choice for the July in Puerto Manzano to run a place. He’ll be staying on at the end, that’s for sure.”
Cameron Leisher: Keen form studier and on the 4Racing team.
Selection: “I think Vercingetorix’s son, Pomp And Power, may be hard to peg back from pole position in the Daily News. In the July, I’m going for Linebacker to reverse last year’s form with Kommedieding who has had a slightly disappointing Highveld campaign.”
Lance Benson: Long career in the sport and chief writer for Sporting Post.
Selection: “It’s a bit of a sentimental choice but I’m going for some value with Dean Kannemeyer’s, Waterberry Lane, to take both races. He won the Byerley Turk in eye catching style in the same week his iconic owner, Mike Rattray, passed away.”
Lance Michael: Highveld bookmaker with a huge clientele and not scared to voice his opinion.Selection: “Being a bookmaker I’m going to lay Pomp And Power in the Daily News as well as Do It Again in the July. My fancies for these races are Safe Passage to win the Daily News and Warrior to win the July as well as Safe Passage to win the Daily News and Linebacker the July. Both are big odds.”
CONCLUSION: Plenty in the Pomp And Power camp for the Daily News and many also fancy Sparkling Water for the July. No mention of Kommetdieding among the selections!**********************************
In the many awards ceremonies I have attended, none has ever had a cleansweep like Paul Peter in the Highveld Season awards. In total, he was involved in six awards – five with horses from his stable and also that of “Champion Trainer”.
Unable to attend the function as he was in Durban, Paul’s son, Tony, rose to the occasion and produced the quote of the evening. He said: “My father has a heart bigger than Turffontein racecourse.”
Googling the highest number of Oscars won the same year in America, Walt Disney (1954) and Bong Joon Ho (2020) are tied with four statuettes. No question Paul Peter made SA racing history.
Well-known owner, Laurence Wernars, picked up two awards and was clearly both surprised and delighted that he was the recipient of a “Special Award”. He told me he fancies Puerto Manzano (third in the Premier’s Challenge) to run a place in the July.
The Racehorse Owners Association can be lauded for getting it right on the night – it wasn’t their fault the main course got a rating of 3 out of 10. The female entertainer was excellent and the Rupert’s Merlot is a seriously good red wine.
