SPORTINGReady POST DIGEST To • t huRunrsday 20 SsepteALmbEer 2018 1

4 November TBA Complex, Germiston Thursday 20 September 2018 www.bsa.co.za

fairview poly Friday Best Roving Banker: R4-(1) Stormy Eclipse (7/1)

greyville poly Saturday Best Roving Banker: R3-(1) Dreams Are Made (3/1)

turffontein Saturday Best Roving Banker: R6-(5) Endofmarch (4/1)

greyville poly Sunday Best Roving Banker: R6-(6) Regal Graduation (2/1)

Friday 14 September Fairview - race 7 The R750 000 Grand Heritage stampede of 28 horses down the Vaal 1475m straight Sporting Post The Rainbow Best Handicapped next Saturday looks to be a minefield for punters. Remember This It has attracted a field from all walks of life, and luck in running could be key to the outcome. WON 18/1 Tagged the ‘gallop to glory’ by sectors of the rac- inaugural running of the race in 2016, is back with ing media, the non black-type feature has captured a trio of runners – which includes the 2016 winner the imagination of Joe Public as the field size is Irish Pride. Now a formless 6yo, his stablemate and unparalleled on our shores, and the equine roulette current favourite Mardi Gras is preferred. wheel presents exciting betting opportunities for The lightly raced 4yo son of Oratorio looks to give the brave punter. Gavin Lerena a 100% sweep in the race after the While there are no out of province raiders in former SA champion won it in 2016 (for Van Vuuren), the final field, the 2018 renewal shows a pleasing and in 2017 for Paul Peter. diverse mix of local major yards and smaller players. One ‘smaller’ stable with a decent hand is Ash- Mike de Kock has a notably powerful hand with ley Fortune, who saddles two former Cape-based a three-pronged attack of Mujallad, good Saturday gallopers in the SP top-rated Rings And Things and winner Pietro Mascagni and Hakeem. Tsitsikamma Dance. The Australian-bred son of Redoute’s Choice, Mu- “They are both in prime condition and their jallad will lump toweight of 62kgs off his 101 rating. preps have gone very well. It is not an easy race or a The grey is a three-time winner from 12 runs. pushover line-up. But if we don’t want to take on the Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren, who won the power players for the big money and features, then SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 2 race the rainbow weekend racing what’s the point?” she said, adding that the fact that they were racing on home ground was a small advantage. Walmer – No Suburban Bliss! Ashley said that former Bass-Robinson filly Rings And Things has Walmer Handicap Durbanville done nothing wrong and was a cracking second to the smart Rose There is no stakes action on the national programme this In Bloom at Turffontein last Saturday. week but the R110 000 Walmer Handicap on the polytrack at “She was dropped 4 points by the handicapper. We are not Fairview on Friday is competitive and should provide plenty complaining. Certainly on best showings she is going to be compet- of entertainment to get the weekend off to a flying start. itive,” added Ashley. Eleven fillies and mares of varying talent – they range from a The race is open to all horses and the final field was formulated 92 to a 65 – go to post in the 1800m contest won in such crack- by way of invitation from the operator. ing style by Dorrie Sham’s Christmas To have been considered for inclusion in the final field, every Carol last term. horse nominated had to have at least a minimum of one run from Allan Greeff saddles a trio headed the time of first entry up to and including the time of the final by topweighted 4yo Queen Forever, supplementary entry. who has her first run on the all-weath- Base weights were determined by the handicapper prior to er surface since losing her form in her consideration of additional weights for Graded and Listed races. last three stats. She ran a particularly Additional penalties for highest Graded/Listed win in the last 18 ordinary race when 18 lengths behind Queen Forever | months were: Grade 1 3kg, Grade 2 2kg, Grade 3 1kg, Listed 0.5kg. Pauline Herman Konkola in the Listed Jockey Club Stakes last month. If she takes to the surface – and the top team have R750 000 Grand Heritage (NBT) - 1475m no doubt tried her – she could be a serious threat and recap- ture her best early form. 1 27 mujallad (AUS) 62 b Fayd’Herbe m de Kock On the flipside of the coin, Justin Snaith – he also saddles 2 14 Finchatton 61 W Marwing G Terzi Weston – tries with the improved Twice Over filly Libra, who 3 11 Kings Archer 61 P Strydom S Pettigrew has found her niche on the all-weather surface in the Eastern 4 19 Zouaves 61 C Maujean G Woodruff Cape, winning two of her last four starts. Libra takes a step up 5 18 Pietro Mascagni 59 R Simons m de Kock in distance but has show signs that she could get the ground – 6 10 Irish Pride 58 …………… JA J v Vuuren despite her dam being an out-and-out speedster. 7 20 african Ruler 57.5 b Lerena P Peter Tara Laing’s Raven Girl stayed on for a fair fourth in the Listed 8 3 Divine Odyssey 57 ………… JA J v Vuuren Jockey Club Stakes last time. That was her first run here on the 9 13 Purple Diamond 57 ………… S Tarry coast after winning three of her five starts in Zimbabwe. The 10 26 mardi Gras 56.5 G Lerena JA J v Vuuren daughter of Philanthropist looks very talented – but the Zim 11 30 Soldier On 56 m V’Rensburg S Pettigrew form is weaker. 12 22 Chepardo 56 …………… a Laird The second of the Laing runners, the Visionaire mare Minds 13 4 hakeem (AUS) 55.5 …………… m de Kock Eye has drawn wide and been well beaten at her last few starts. 14 12 Sail For Joy 55.5 R Munger F Habib The Elusive Fort mare Smokey Affair has done the rounds 15 16 bold Viking 55 …………… S Tarry but, despite three runner-up cheques, has failed to set the 16 17 Rings And Things 54 R Danielson a Fortune world alight since relocating to the Eastern Cape. On her best 17 1 Tsitsikamma Dance 54 K de Melo a Fortune form- she has twice run close to now retired local star Beat- 18 15 Full Of Attitude 53.5 m Yeni J Soma aboutthebush – she could challenge for the places and has 19 23 huyssteen (AUS) 53 …………… L Houdalakis always looked much better than a two-time winner. 20 21 Count Tassilo 53 …………… S Tarry Second of the Allan Greeff trio is the Main Aim mare, Anoth- 21 29 Daffiq 53 J Penny G Terzi er Night. She is another who has lost her better earlier form 22 6 Lake Kinneret 52.5 …………… St J Gray and her last two starts inspire no confidence. She is well drawn 23 9 London Secret 52 …………… S Tarry and if she improves with the blinkers fitted could find her -bet 24 24 Dan The Lad 51.5 …………… P Matchett ter earlier zest. 25 2 Rebuked 51.5 …………… S Moffatt Weston has pulled the best of the draw and has her first run 26 7 bold Coast 51 K de Melo S Ferreira here after battling to find the money in the Cape. The well-bred 27 8 Nephrite 50.5 …………… L Houdalakis mare’s best form is over shorter and this looks a dip in the dark 28 5 Danza 50 …………… a Laird to find a new winning recipe. She would need to improve dra- 29 28 Clever Guy 59.5 Reserve 1 S Moffatt matically 30 25 Pilou 55.5 Reserve 2 S Tarry START PA4/PICK SIX3/JACKPOT2 to have a 3:05PM Walmer Handicap (NBT)(Poly) - 1800m Fairview 5 SAME TRAINER:(1-5-6)(3-7)(4-8) chance. So Gimmethegreenlight 1 Queen Forever(AC Greeff) G Cheyne...... 6 61.0 Elusive Fort 2 Smokey Affair(SB Kotzen) L Mxothwa...... 9 57.5 Enchant- Philanthropist 3 Weston(J Snaith) C Zackey...... 1 57.0 Phumelela Contravene Licence Visionaire 4 Minds Eye(T Laing) M Thackeray...... 10 56.0 ing is the As a result of proceedings which were instituted in 2014, Phume- Main Aim 5 Another Night(AC Greeff) X Ndlovu...... 3 55.0 third of Ashaawes 6 So Enchanting(AC Greeff) T Gould...... 5 55.0 lela was charged with contravening condition 10 of its Turffontein Twice Over 7 LIBRA(J Snaith) R Khathi...... 2 54.0 the Greeff Philanthropist 8 Raven Girl(T Laing) C Maujean...... 11 52.0 race-meeting licence. Rock Of Rochelle 9 Rocksette(GD Smith) J Penny...... 8 52.0 trio. Her This condition pertains to the visual broadcasts of race meetings. Captain Al 10 Altitude(Y Bremner) R Munger...... 4 52.0 last win Golden Sword 11 Oasis Queen(JH Strydom) S Fortune...... 7 52.0 Read more here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 3 weekend racing News was on the poly but she was comprehensively outclassed in the Listed Jockey Club Stakes when failing to show after her typical tardy start and running 14 lengths off the winner. Gavin Smith’s hardknocking Rock Of Rochelle filly Rocksette has been threatening to register her third win. She runs with a handy galloping weight and looks likely to be thereabouts again. The pace Captain Al mare Altitude carries the Yvette Bremner Dippin’ Blu flag and could surprise under the in-form Ryan Mung- er from the 4 draw. A dangerous front-runner on her best day, she is yet to win on the poly. Multiple past AS Champion Jockey Piere Strydom is part owner of the rather in-and-out Oasis Queen. The 5yo daughter of Gold- en Sword has her 43rd start and could rattle into the back end of quartets if things go her way. So a typically tough handicap all round! It may pay to look at past best form and red hot stables. That points at Queen Forev- er or the Snaith’s improving Libra. But it’s not an open and shut case.

PE Racing Threatened In a show of mass action and protest for increased wages, Grooms in the Eastern Cape downed tools on Monday and marched on the gates of the local training centre in a show of unity. While the Gauteng and KZN regions have borne the brunt of protest action this year, the Eastern Cape Grooms have now followed suit, demanding a minimum wage of R1000 per week. A local racing personality told the Sporting Post that the de- mands were not realistic, given the fact that racing at Fairview was often held only once a week and that stakes were not on a par with Gauteng. The feature programme did also not offer highly rated and well endowed features. There were initially no incidents of violence reported and the protest was apparently peaceful. Trainers, owners and jockeys were seen rolling up their sleeves to feed and look after their horses. But on Tuesday things turned violent with reports of stone throwing and damage to property at Fairview. The Grooms were adamant that external labour could not be brought in to assist with stable duties. Champion trainer Alan Greeff reportedly had his door bro- ken down and Tellytrack presenter Nadine Rapson had to be escorted away by her husband as she was helping and is not employed by Greeff. Trainer Gavin Smith was ordered to remove his apprentice jockeys who were assisting him. Horses taken down to be worked on the tracks allegedly had stones thrown at them and had to be returned to their stables. A trainer who has a very small string stabled at Fairview has apparently acceded to wage demands and his staff are going about their daily duties. Grooms went back to work on Wednesday afternoon and Luciano Passerini, Phumelela’s Eastern Cape racing manager, said that “both trainers and grooms were delighted that the wage deadlock had been broken”. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 4 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 5 news A Throw Out Tuesday Manic Monday. Wacky Wednesday. Freaky Friday. Super Masterful! Saturday. We love the alliterative affection! But what name for Two exciting performances at Scottsville on Wedneday had a Tuesday when two of South African horseracing’s captains the Varsfontein Stud team cheering down in the Cape. jumped ship? Young stallion Master Of My Fate hails from one of the First Lyndon Barends – then a few hours later, Phumelela CEO strongest families in the South African stud book and two of his Rian du Plessis. Both for personal reasons. close relatives caught the eye. In March 2016 the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Hashtagyolo, whose winning Jallad sired dam My Guiding Africa proudly announced the appointment of ‘seasoned business- Star is a half-sister to Master Of My Fate, made a pleasing man and philanthropist’ Barends as its new Chief Executive. return to the track when winning a barrier trial over 1000m. Barends, who is said to have grown up in a shack in Crossroads Trained, like her sire Dynasty, by Dean Kannemeyer, the talent- outside of Cape Town, came in to head the protector of the integ- ed four-year-old was making her first racetrack appearance rity of our beloved sport, not knowing the tail from the head of since she romped to a two length win in the G3 Flamboyant a horse. But he seemed to have the credentials. He wore the tie, Stakes back in December 2017. She hardly raised a sweat. ticked the BEE boxes and had been around the block. Little could Master Of My Fate’s Listed Spook Express Handicap winning we have dreamed at the time that it would be the chopping block. half-sister Justthewayyouare is making her presence felt at stud. He was also said to have been hand-picked. One of the chosen The Fort Wood mare is dam of multiple Gr3 winner Captain few. Splendid, and is also dam of promising 3yo Duke Of Spin. But the cracks showed early. He spoke a big game, enjoyed the The latter, a colt from the first South African crop of Duke Of perks. But delivered a lot of window dressing - and was haunted by Marmalade, made it two wins from three starts when recording the rattling bones of personal skeletons past. a convincing two and a quarter length score over 1950m on Things hit the fan when the Cape High Court roll for September Wednesday for Duncan Howells. showed banks going for the jugular. Sequestration is a dirty word in all eleven of our official languages. For the head of our much revered jockey club, it was a label he would battle to shake and it would prove fatal. Barends took the publically honourable step and resigned. In the process he saved himself and the NHA board the embarrassment of a gun-fight. But questions remain. The NHA board owes the industry many answers. Both about their own competency and NHA Board Need To Come Clean undertakings that due care and prudency will apply when assessing In the wake of the resignation of National Horseracing future applicants. Authority CEO Lyndon Barends, longstanding Breeder Dr In a seemingly unrelated move, Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Marianne Thomson has called for various reassurances from CEO Rian du Plessis resigned after ten years at the helm of AS ’s the NHA board. biggest tote and racing operator. A public company, Phumelela is She writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag… licensed to operate horseracing and totalisator betting in seven of The NHA Website home page claims in Point 2 :” The objective is South Africa’s nine provinces. to govern the Sport with Integrity.” While horseracing was never his passion, Du Plessis has always Let’s not lose sight of that! enjoyed something of a rocky relationship with traditionalists and Now that Mr Lyndon Barends has fallen on his sword, the NHA dyed-in-the-wool racing folk. Read more here Board must not think that they are free and clear. We have no reply yet as to whether they were complicit or negligent at the time of Mr Barend’s appointment. We have no explanation as to how and why Mr Barends was allowed to clear the NHA and the Stud Book Denim & Diamonds in particular, of experienced staff, when he himself was brought in The Coastal Horse Care Unit hosts their annual fund-raiser from outside the Industry. in the Classic Room at Greyville on Friday evening with the We are now left with a grossly inefficient and malfunctioning return of the ever popular Night Racing to the city track. Stud Book department. Being a breeder I prioritise the Stud Book. The theme is Denim and Diamonds. The CHCU is commit- If the Stud Book does not work , there is a knock on effect to the ted to the welfare of all horses and donkeys from all disci- Industry that is incalculable. plines of equine involvement and is based on a farm in the Can the NHA Board assure us stakeholders that Mr Barends will Cato Ridge area. receive no severance payment until such time as a full financial Get your weekend off to a flying start with The Gee Jays audit has been completed. live in the Lightning Shot Bar incorporating a Happy Hour If the board refuses an audit, what are they hiding ? Can we from 17h30 to 18h30. also be assured that no member of the NHA board is a Phumelela The first race is off at 17h05. shareholder. Surely this would be a gross conflict of interest. I await a public reassurance from “a voice from above”

can be purchased here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 6 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 7 news Fortune Marble Shines Bright D Day Is Dawning Vaal trainer Ashley Fortune’s smart recent maiden winner Big The Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup boasts an illustri- Blue Marble is the notable mover this week on the latest log for ous history as a font of outstanding racehorses and future the R2,5 million CTS Ready To Run Stakes to be contested over champions. The tally of millionaire graduates from one 1400m at Kenilworth on 24 November. consignor alone is nudging the 40 mark now, and the 2018 Bred by Ridgemont, Big Blue Marble, a colt by Var out of Raise edition of the sale looks set to continue the tradition. the Bar, was signed for by Mark Erasmus at R850 00 on the 2017 CTS Lanzerac Ready To Run Sale. What’s different about this year’s 13th renewal of the race A handsome specimen, he was runner-up on debut and then is that, unlike many of its predecessors, the log of leading skated home at the Vaal earlier this month to win his maiden in contenders is not quite as strongly dominated by the big style by over 3 lengths under Aldo Domeyer. racing yards as it has been in former years, though we hardly He has come in from nowhere to joint tenth position on the log need reminding that two of the first three runnings fell to the per 14 September. comparatively small outfits of the racing “pros”, Mark Dixon The Fortune Team have been in a rich vein of form and Big Blue and Mike Miller. Marble is held in high regard as a galloper with a very bright future. While the weekly log is not necessarily definitive as the final Vaughan Marshall’s impressive Kuda Sprint debut winner Agent field is the product of an independent panel’s invitation, it’s Of Fortune and Sean Tarry’s narrow SA Nursery runner- up Cirillo nonetheless a solid indicator of where the aspirants stand at continue to hold the joint top position on the log. the moment, and is headed by Chesney van Zyl’s Group One The log can be viewed here runner-up, Railtrip, Michael and Adam Azzie’s The Sash and Please note that: Paul Matchett’s Patrol Officer, a winner at the Vaal a fortnight The Log is intended as a guide only and is purely based on per- ago. With only 50-odd candidates eligible for the race and a formances thus far. considerably stronger prospect of making the 16 runner line- Fillies will receive a 2.5kg allowance. This has been added to all up, conditioners of the ilk of Robbie Hill, Roy Magner, Michael raced fillies for log purposes. Roberts (2), Sean Tarry, Johan Janse Van Vuuren, Jarett Rugg, The Log excludes horses without an official NHRA Merit Rating. Chris Jonker, Bridget Stidolph, Ivan Moore, Corrie Lensley and Entries close Monday 12 November. Chris Jonker will be fortified by the inclusion of steeds under their care in the top 20. No doubt there’ll be some hot jostling between now and then for slots at the gate on the 3rd No- vember, with the usual bold claims from hitherto unexposed MJ’s Out horses, but at least their connections have an idea of where Another senior jockey has been consigned to the injury they stand. ranks. Cape rider MJ Byleveld went under the surgeon’s The fireworks in the French sales ring at Arqana last week knife at Durbanville Medi-Clinic last Friday and expects to and those currently under way at Keeneland, America are the be out of action until early in the new year. best evidence that the appetite for good racehorses around I'm devastated. I didn’t need this kind of news on the eve of the world is endless, and those local owners and trainers with the Cape Summer Season,” a visibly disappointed MJ Byleveld enterprising spirits will be encouraged by the opportunities told the Sporting Post. the normalisation of South Africa’s export protocols will repre- The Avontuur sponsored 36 year old rider is retained by the sent in the next few months. Vaughan Marshall yard and the combination has some excit- The log at 12th September can be accessed on both BSA’s ing youngsters in the wings ahead of the big feature season. and Summerhill’s websites – as well as the Sporting Post - and MJ explained that he had been experiencing pins ‘n needles will be updated weekly going forward. and pain in his fingers. “I think the issue dates back to a fall I had on the Greyville poly. I haven’t worried about it too much but it’s been both- ering me. I got quite a surprise after my MRI Scan. The Doctor placed me in a brace and booked me right away for surgery. He said that I could risk becoming a quadraplegic if I fell again in my current condition.” Lucky Escape For Duo The injury is similar to that experienced in contact sports The Scottsville fourth race on Sunday produced a shocking like rugby. The operation involved his vertebrae and spinal accident when the pacesetting Gratuity dislodged SA Champi- chord and will centre around a large bilobulated broad-based on Lyle Hewitson, also resulting in senior rider Stuart Randolph disc protrusion at the C6-7 level. falling off Pathway To Glory. The progress and success of the growth or fusion will be Hewitson, who only returned after injury at Turffontein on monitored and clearance to return to riding will only be grant- Saturday, has apparently injured his other knee and is battling to ed after medical approval. walk. “I just want to thank all the folk that have wished me well. Randolph was placed in a neck brace. It’s nice to know people care. I will be back!” said the avid Apparently both suffered soft tissue bruising. Blue Bulls supporter. Hewitson, who flies out soon for the Singapore International Jockeys Challenge, has been diagnosed with a knee sprain. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 8 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 9 news Keeping It On A Maiden Worth A Million! A R1-million race for maidens will add lots of spice to the Track? Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile race meeting at While the water leak that sab- Turffontein on Saturday 3 November. otaged a meeting at Turffontein The inaugural Monaco Million Maiden Sprint over 1160m earlier this month may be un- is an amazing opportunity for the owners of any horse yet to related to last Thursday’s Vaal win and who has run at least once. track concerns, as a collective The winner of the race banks half of the R1-million prize within weeks of each other they do raise questions about the with R175,000 for second, R100,000 for third and progres- general competency of the track management up North. sively less for the next seven finishers. The 10th runner home The up-coming race meetings programmed for the Vaal Classic gets R10,000. track today and Thursday 27 September have been switched to Africa’s richest race for maidens is being sponsored by the Turffontein Inside track. Prince Albert II, the reigning monarch of Monaco, and several The change in venue has necessitated changing the distance of businessmen in the principality, and is the brainchild of Mike Race 5 at today's meeting from 2400m to 2600m. Wittstock, whose daughter Charlene is married to the prince. Trainers with runners engaged for today's meeting had until 15h00 on Tuesday 18 September to withdraw runners on account Wittstock and the RacingA ssociation have worked together of the change in racecourse. to put the race in place. It replaces the two R250,000 Maid- The rapid grass growth normally triggered by the arrival of spring en Plates, both sponsored by Princess Charlene, formerly has been stunted at the Vaal this year by recent cold snaps cou- run on Charity Mile day. Those races now form part of the pled with a severe frost. The net result is that, in spite of the best programme for the Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes efforts of the track staff, there is excessive wear and tear in several race meeting at Turffontein and were run for the first time on sections of the Vaal Classic course, particularly on the turn. their new date this year. This became evident at last Thursday’s meeting on the Classic At the request of the sponsors, the Monaco Million has surface, but after a track inspection the next day it was decided unique entry conditions and aims to give as many owners of to leave the track for the weekend to see if the warmer weather maidens as possible a crack at sharing in the big payday. could stimulate grass growth sufficiently for racing to take place at The field of 20 runners will be determined by a ballot and the course this Thursday if the false rail was moved to zero. trainers may enter as many of their maiden runners as they Track staff, in conjunction with trainers, jockeys and stipendiary wish. But each trainer is allowed only one runner so once a stewards, held a full inspection of the track on Monday and it was stable entry gets into the field, the trainer’s other entries are then decided to switch the next two meetings on the surface to ineligible. the Turffontein Inside track. “It’s exciting, it’s different, it gives everybody a chance Jay Harrielall, Phumelela’s General Manager: Racing Operations, of winning and adds to the appeal of the day,” said Racing said: “The track inspection revealed that the wisest option was to Association CEO Larry Weinstein, adding that Bob Yearham, move the meetings scheduled for the Classic track on 20 and 27 Peermont Group Gaming & VIP Operations Executive, was September to Turffontein. The grass growth is accelerating now, delighted to have the new event included in the race day. but to have raced there this week and the next would have set the track back for months.” The nomination fee for the race is R1,725 and these mon- The three 2400m races programmed for 27 September will all be ies will be donated to charity. The declaration fee is R9,200. run over 2600m as a result of the venue change. Entries close at 11:00 on Monday 22 October and the lucky draw for a place in the field will be held on Wednesday 24 October. Female runners get a 2.5kg sex allowance. Operator Doesn’t Care About Trainers - Tabnews Philippi trainer Riaan van Reenen saddled a winning double at Durbanville last Tuesday but said that the sad lack of unity and spirit in Cape racing had dampened the thrill of saddling the winners of the first two races. Luke Loses More Of His Claim Van Reenen and Carl Burger train twelve horses in partnership and the feat of achieving a double is a meritorious one. Progressive apprentice Luke Ferraris rode the 40th winner of Both winners, Ready To Rumble and Celestial Storm, won from his career at Scottsville on Wednesday and will now claim only the front under apprentice Liam Tarentaal. 1,5kgs. Stressing that he spoke for himself and not his partner, Van Holding seventh position on the AS National log, the well-re- Reenen said that the days where even the small trainers felt part lated first year apprentice continues to catch the eye with an of the club and were ambassadors for the game were long over. excellent seat and his overall mature approach to race riding. “The vibe’s gone. In days gone by we got a cup of tea and a He steered Ella’s World to an easy five length win for trainer samie – even a lunch ticket. Now the food is awful and the eat- Dennis Bosch in the fourth race. eries have been outsourced. And the prices are crazy. Don’t get Luke will claim the 1,5kgs until the conclusion of the meeting me wrong – I can buy my own coffee. It’s the principle of feeling where he rides his 60th winner. welcome. Read more SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 10 international Winx: Simply Unbelievable Labelled the best thing to ever happen to Australian horseracing, Two Stars Retire super mare Winx has created history again by becoming the first Connections of two of this year's superstar perform- horse to win three consecutive AUD$500,000 Colgate Optic White ers, Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior, paid glowing Gr1 George Main Stakes, extending her winning streak to 27. tribute on Sunday after both were retired with injuries In front of more than 13000 racegoers at Royal Randwick , the sustained in finishing runner-up at Leopardstown the champion mare showed incredible acceleration, angling around her day before. field after turning for home last, and took off in the final 150m to win Alpha Centauri has been the standout performer of by five lengths. the European Flat season in 2018, having landed the Irish The seven-year-old bay took her career earnings to almost AUD$20 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth and Prix million with the win and set another stunning list of records. Her Jacques le Marois. stakes tally is the equivalent of approximately R210 million! The Niarchos family's filly, trained by Jessica Harrington, It was her eighth consecutive Group 1 race win — joining Black started hot favourite to extend her sequence of victories Caviar. at the top level to five in the Matron Stakes on Saturday It was her 20th total Group 1 win — the first horse to ever reach but had no answer to Laurens, who made all for a game the milestone. triumph and beat her by three-quarters of a length. However, Alpha Centauri hung left and seemed to falter when coming with her run inside the final furlong and Not Another Word was reported to be clinically abnormal after the race. It King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Poet’s emerged that she had chipped a joint in her fetlock, and it Word will miss the remainder of the year following an injury was decided on Sunday to call time on her terrific career. setback. Alpha Centauri won six of her ten starts for earnings of The Racing Post reports that the Sir Michael Stoute-trained £1,254,827 and was partnered in all her races by Colm two-time Group 1 winner was last seen finishing second to Roar- O'Donoghue. ing Lion in the Juddmonte International at York but the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in November, for which he was a 6-1 Saxon Warrior was another top performer, winning the shot, has been ruled out. Group 1 Racing Post Trophy last year and this season's Poet’s Word, owned by Saeed Suhail, defeated Cracksman in 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished second He performed with much credit in five winless starts in the Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night at Meydan in subsequently, including at Leopardstown on Saturday, March. when beaten a neck by Roaring Lion in a thrilling Irish Stoute said in a statement: "Poet's Word has sustained an in- Champion Stakes. jury and will not be able to race again this year.His owner, Saeed Plans had been drawn up to head to Ascot next month Suhail, will soon be coming to England and will make a decision for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but his trainer Aidan on his future." O'Brien revealed on Sunday that he had been retired. The five-year-old, placed joint-second in the latest Longines The son of Deep Impact won four of his nine starts for World Rankings behind Australian wondermare Winx last month, the Coolmore partners, for earnings of £1,112,467. was also entered in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot, in which he finished second to Cracksman last year. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 11 international Lion Roars For Cartier! Aldo Rides Roaring Lion stormed to the head of the standings for Cartier Horse Of The Year following a sensational weekend of European Mr Fortune racing that featured eight Gr1 contests across three countries. The South African jockeys scheduled to The three-year-old colt, owned by Qatar Racing Limited and compete in next Tuesday’s PGI Jockeys Chal- trained by John Gosden, gained a third consecutive Gr1 success with lenge at Kranji in Singapore, have secured Aldo Domeyer a swooping neck verdict over Saxon Warrior in the QIPCO Irish Cham- 13 rides between them at Sunday’s Kranji pion Stakes at Leopardstown, Ireland, on September 15. meeting – to “test the water”. Roaring Lion has now accrued 174 points in Pattern races so far Tabnews reports that SA national champion Hewitson and this season, having also achieved Gr1 victories in the Juddmonte In- Yeni have rides in the feature race of the day, the Gr1 Raffles ternational at York on August 22 and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Cup – the first leg of Singapore’s Triple Crown. Park on July 7 to add to his Irish Champions Weekend success. The jockeys’ bookings were arranged by Singapore-based SA He may now head for the Gr1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot racing personality Gareth Pepper, who said Kranji trainers went on October 20, and victory at the finale of the British Flat season out of their way to help and that they hold SA riders Lyle Hewit- could help the son of Kitten's Joy clinch both the Cartier Horse Of son, Muzi Yeni and Aldo Domeyer in high regard. The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Awards for 2018. Yeni has seven mounts, Hewitson four and Domeyer two – a Roaring Lion's nearest challenger in the race to be crowned Cartier third engagement having dropped away. Horse Of The Year, Alpha Centauri (160), also ran on the same Leop- “Muzi has good chances on Michael Clements’ Eye Guy, an ardstown card, with the Niarchos Family-owned filly finishing second exciting horse in Race 6, and on Nova Strike in the Raffles Cup to Laurens (120) in the G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes. (Race 9). This horse won a Group 3 last time. Alpha Centauri, a four-time Gr1 winner for Jessica Harrington “Lyle has a winning chance in Race 6 on Zac Kasa for trainer this season, was found to have a chip in a fetlock following her Clifford Brown. He was second in a Group 1 sprint two starts shock defeat and the outstanding three-year-old filly was immedi- back. Lyle’s also on the progressive Paddington for Stephen Gray ately retired. in Race 11.” The daughter of Mastercraftsman still holds a significant advan- In the Raffles Cup, Hewitson partners Bahana for trainer tage in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly standings, with her Leopard- Stephen Gray. stown conqueror moving up to second in the same category after “Aldo has two Place chances, on Mr Fortune in in Race 6 and notching a third Gr1 success of the season. on River Golden in Race 10,” added Pepper. Laurens, trained by Karl Burke for owner John Dance, could TAB will operate a special Pick 6 pool – boosted by a TAB bo- further her Cartier Racing Awards credentials at Newmarket next nus – on the Jockeys Challenge race meeting on Tuesday. month, with the Gr1 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes on The pool will start with a R150,000 add-in from TAB and the October 6 under consideration for the filly as well as the Breeders' total net pool is expected to be about R400,000. Cup at Churchill Downs on November 3. Saxon Warrior (104), successful in the Gr1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, was also retired following his second to Roaring Lion, but owners Coolmore enjoyed a pair of Gr1 victories with fellow Novel Event Showcases Stars three-year-old colts Kew Gardens (84) and Flag Of Honour (58). Enable, Cracksman, Roaring Lion and Too Darn Hot are Both horses were trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan among a cast of stars set to feature at the 32Red Newmar- Moore, with Kew Gardens staying on well to take the final Classic ket Open Weekend on Sunday, when they will appear at a of the British season, the Gr1 William Hill St Leger at Doncaster on Tattersalls-sponsored gallops morning on Warren Hill. September 15. John Gosden has agreed to showcase the cream of his The same trainer/jockey combination teamed up 24 hours later crop at the event and the Clarehaven gems will also be at the Curragh with Flag Of Honour (58), who comfortably beat joined by other workers from the stables of Sir Michael Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby victor Latrobe (52) to capture the Stoute and Sir Mark Prescott, among others. Gr1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger on day two of Irish There is sure to be plenty of interest in getting a glimpse of Champions Weekend. leading Arc contenders Enable and Cracksman, while Roar- Both colts still have significant ground to make up on the current ing Lion and Too Darn Hot recently contributed to a stellar leader in the Cartier Stayer rankings, Stradivarius (112), and a trip weekend for the Gosden yard when landing the Group 1 back down in trip for the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Long- Irish Champion Stakes and Group 2 Champagne Stakes. champ, France, on October 7 could be on the cards for Kew Gardens.

Crusade Jaunita Strikes Again WON at Scottsville, 16 September T: DS Bosch J: LJ Ferraris O: Mr M JA Ferreira B:Rathmor Stud SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 12

Personality

Divan Neethling Becoming a jockey was a childhood dream for as long as Di- of his classmates, who included current Hong Kong-based Callan van Neethling can remember. But after riding his first winner Murray, new Glen Kotzen retained jockey Ryan Munger, Craig at Clairwood in June 2013 and graduating from the SA Jockey Zackey, Calvin Ngcobo, Collen Storey and Colin Thabana. Academy, his career has unfolded in a different direction. Divan was already fairly streetwise and familiar with the un- Although he only turns 23 on Tuesday 25 September, life has forgiving world that he was taking on. Being the stepson of one taken Divan in double quick time from the rustic surrounds of SA Racing’s foremost administrators, Graeme Hawkins, meant of Duncan Howells’ military precision champion operation at that he knew what he was letting himself in for and wasn’t -un Ashburton to Dubai, and now a world-class HK$3.7 billion new der any starry-eyed false illusions. training centre in the Conghua District of Guangzhou in Guang- He enjoyed the camaraderie of academy life and did well. It dong Province, China. took him thirty rides to find his first winner. It was the 75-1 Lago While it seemed a good time to catch up with the Durbanite, who bounded home on a sleepy Sunday at Clairwood five years it was in unpleasant circumstances that Divan came on to the ago. Sporting Post’s radar this past weekend. “That was a special thrill. My Mom was on course to lead me Typhoon Mangkhut, which had intensified to a Category 5– in. It is a feeling and a moment that any apprentice who has equivalent super typhoon, with sustained winds of 125 miles been through the SA Jockey Academy mill dreams of. When it an hour ploughed its path of destruction across the Philippines, happens, it seems surreal. You wake up the next day pinching then into Hong Kong and south eastern China, where it was yourself.” downgraded to a tropical storm after tearing up villages and But things didn’t exactly take off for the talented 4kg claimer. cities, flooding coastlines and plains, and causing massive land- “The early stages are very important. It’s when a young rider slides. Mangkhut was one of the ten biggest storms to hit China finds his feet, establishes himself and builds his personal con- since 1949. fidence. Having the claim and the ability to ride a wide range “I have seen the worst of it on TV. I am fine and safe, of weights means that apprentices get their chances. But I was thanks,” Divan told us after his experience on Sunday battling my weight and competing with the established jockeys at Conghua was nothing worse than a bad weather off the 58kg mark. That saw me on the back foot.” day in Durban. The apprentice, who labels multiple champion Piere Strydom “We experienced a major rainstorm. Karis his hero, lists adventures, chilling with friends and family and (Teetan), Grant (Van Niekerk) and Callan (Murray) watching rugby (who doesn’t love that game suddenly!), as his were in far greater danger as Hong Kong, which non-racing interests, had plenty of wise counsel around him to is a three hour drive from guide him. He reached a where I am, was far harder point where he decided hit. I hear they are all fine that he didn’t want to be thankfully,” he said. spending his life doing Going back to 2011, something that he wasn’t from the early days Divan good at and that wasn’t Neethling was well-in- putting food on the table. formed and fortunate to “I love racing. I am have a good ‘feel’ for the passionate about the game as he grew up in a horses. I have so many ‘horseracing house’. good people guiding me. When he walked People that know what through the doors of the they are talking about. world-renowned SA Jockey So I thought I need to Academy in 2011, he en- focus on my strengths joyed an edge over some and carve a future. I SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 13 divan neethling have a ten year plan to train racehorses. But it’s fluid. Things Is he homesick? His girlfriend Kristen Davis is on a swimming can change. I live by the motto – ‘always expect the unexpected scholarship at South Dakota State University and the family are and when life knocks you down, pick yourself up and move on’. in Durban. I at least have direction and how fortunate I have been to learn “We are kept pretty busy and it’s tiring work. So we don’t have from top men like Duncan Howells and Mike de Kock!” time to do too much longing. Naturally I miss my family and of He worked for Winning Form-sponsored KZN Champion course my girlfriend Kristen, who I will get to visit twice a year. trainer Duncan Howells in Ashburton. Howells, a known hard That’s the sacrifice of building a career and a future. Nothing task-master, was impressed with Divan’s work ethic and good worth it is ever easy!” manners and offered him afternoon shifts at the stables. “Mr Howells was tough on me – but constructively so. I have so much respect for him. He runs a really professional set-up.” Divan was employed by the Howells stable for over a year and then the opportunity came in December 2017 to work for Mike De Kock in Dubai. “Dubai was an eye-opener. I was lucky enough to work Whisky Baron – what a horse! And Mr De Kock is another no-nonsense sort of boss. Things go according to clockwork. There is no messing around. That was such a fulfilling experience for me.” At the end of the Dubai season, Divan was fortunate to land a top position with Australian Racing Hall Of Fame trainer John Size, who recently won his tenth Hong Kong trainers’ champi- onship. Size is one of nine trainers who shifted to the Conghua dual-site model during the off-season, with two-thirds of his string based at Sha Tin and the other third based on the Chinese Mainland. His best experience of a top athlete, beyond Whisky Baron, is a horse of John Size’s called Calculation. The chestnut son of Dandy Man is a Gr2 winner and one worth keeping an eye on. “Like the Baron, he is a lovely horse. Real class,” says Divan. Divan’s work day starts at 05h00. He saddles up and warms up his mount. He will work an average of eight horses every morning. They break at 10h30 and are back at 14h00. In the afternoon they may swim some of the horses and do the bandages and poultices. He gets one day and two afternoons off a week. The recreational facilities in-house include a fully equipped Gym, an indoor sports court, a dancing studio and a library. “They prefer strength in work-riders rather than a feather- weight. And I weigh around 61kgs now. Which is perfect. I use the gym to keep in shape but haven’t progressed to the dance World - Class studio,” he adds with a laugh. Divan is based at the Conghua Racecourse complex. It Divan says that the roads are ‘organised chaos’ and he won’t was officially opened just last month and is situated in the even consider trying to get a licence to drive. Particularly as the Conghua District of Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. It road signs are all in Chinese. Google translation is his newest is the first world-class racecourse and thoroughbred train- best friend and he gets by – cautiously with the food especially ing centre on the Chinese Mainland. Operating as part of – by improvising with sign language too. a dual-site model, Conghua Racecourse complements the existing training centre at Sha Tin. With its state-of-the-art He travels about a half hour to the Conghua District, the cap- stabling, training and horse-care facilities, it will enable the ital of Guangdong province. Conghua connects the Pearl River Hong Kong Jockey Club to further develop the quality of its Delta with the mountainous area of northern Guangdong. It is world-class racing. Essential to Conghua’s operation is its known for its hot springs and lychees and Divan says that the location in the Mainland’s only large-scale internationally people are very friendly. recognised equine disease-free zone, which ensures that “I haven’t quite mastered the local cuisine to be honest but we Hong Kong horses have the same health status in Conghua are catered for with western food at the training centre. And there as in Hong Kong. Under a series of special arrangements is also a McDonalds and KFC in the town. So we are very lucky real- agreed between authorities in the Mainland and the Hong ly. Naturally, there is a lot more social life and things to do in Hong Kong SAR, horses are able to travel freely between Conghua Kong. But I am not complaining. I am saving cash and focussing on and Hong Kong. doing my best. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 14 Short Heads Riders Of The Storm While we seem to have something of a less impressive record here, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s move to cancel the race meet- Life’s a Jud’s ing at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday as Super Typhoon Mangkhut bore down was the first card cancelled since September 2013 Breeze Varsfontein’s Kingmambo when Typhoon Usagi hit Hong Kong. Typhoon Fengshen (mid- In a minor quirk of timing, half-brother Judpot enjoyed four 2008) was the previous one.The Club is considering a replacement Brave Tin Soldier, whose winners at three different race- meeting to be held on 29 December to recover the HK$1.2 billion son Rabada stands his courses over the past weekend. of potential turnover lost. first season this term at His daughter Remember This Summerhill, marked his won a novice plate over 1300m first ever winner Split at Fairview on Friday, Kaptein- The Breeze, now trained spandiseile - like Remember This by Shirish Narang, win- also out of an Al Mufti mare ning the Champ de Mars - won over 1500m at the Champ feature on Saturday. Split De Mars on Saturday. Cohiba All- The Breeze broke the ice day and her paternal half-sister for his sire when he won Expedite rounded off the Judpot for Luiz Cunha - also in our quartet at Durbanville on the news recently courtesy of same afternoon. A former Equus his Summer Cup winning Outstanding Stallion, Judpot has son, Dylan - and S’manga one lot on November’s Ready To Khumalo at Clairwood in Run Sale – see #110. Home Run Of The Mill April 2014. James – Not! Joey Ramsden hasn’t It is great to see horseracing had the best of Godolphin will bring James showing a sentimental side. fortune at his home Doyle to Australia for an Ian Balding paid tribute this base in recent months but he bounced back strongly at Turffon- early spring carnival cameo week to the best horse he ever tein on Saturday with Rose In Bloom winning well and setting her when the retained jockey trained as he recalled the life sights on the Gr2 Spring Challenge on 6 October. Former Groom rides at the Gr1 Sir Rupert and career of the great Mill Alson Ndzilana has done a sterling job as an assistant for the Good Clarke Stakes meeting. One Reef, one of the most popular Hope Racing Team and has a raiding party of six at Randjesfontein of England's premier jockeys, racehorses of all time, who was to contest races in Gauteng this summer. Doyle will ride Godolphin born 50 years ago this year. northern hemisphere stars Balding gave a special interview Folkswood and Jungle Cat to mark the anniversary of the when they step out at 1971 Derby, King George VI & It’s Called Caulfield on Saturday. Doyle Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix is no stranger to Australian de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Discretion racing, having filled a void for ahead of the Gr2 Dubai Duty The enigmatic grey Aussie Godolphin during the 2016- Free Mill Reef Stakes to be run champion 8yo Chautauqua has 17 season. at Newbury on Saturday. been given the all-clear to have Mare a jump-out in Melbourne on Friday, despite being banned Scores until Saturday. Racing Victoria's The Thoroughbred Breeders Chairman of Stewards Robert Association and Bloodstock Cram told Racing.com on Tues- South Africa held a seminar The worst-kept secret day that RV and Racing NSW for the KZN Breeders Club in bloodstock is out, as had agreed to allow the banned recently to discuss the scor- WinStar Farm officially galloper to jump out at Fleming- ing of mares for the National confirmed on Friday ton on Friday. Racing NSW had Yearling Sale. A number of that the deal between previously decided to refuse all examples of mares currently the owners of Justify nominations for Chautauqua, at stud were given of both and Coolmore America before giving him a reprieve un- suitable and unsuitable pros- regarding the Triple der the proviso that he undergo pects, and how the panel Crown winner’s stallion a month-long re-education chose the pedigrees and career is being finalised. process with an unnamed thor- scored accordingly. Read oughbred behaviourist. more SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 15

Black type results

DURBANVILLE race, and it developed into a sprint over the final 400m. Result and ratings should be Saturday, 15 September treated accordingly. We gave the fourth 80 Course Variant: 1.31s slow which makes the winner (prev 81) 82, the Some 9.5mm of rain fell in the seven days leading runner up (prev 48/76/76/79/84) 86, and the up to this meeting and with no irrigation added the How horses performed in South Africa’s penetrometer read 23. The going was posted as good. third (prev 76/74/83) 76. The south easterly head wind was a fairly strong one at 82 1 0.00 Pleasedtomeetyou (2) 58.0 B Fayd’herbe 16/10 black type races, expressed in points based 28km/h. The false rail was out 2m in the back straight, 3 b c Querari - Plaisir De Fete (Fort Wood) on the kind of races and how far behind with an 8m spur at the 550m mark. 86 2 0.20 Elusive Trader (1) 60.0 C Orffer 9/1 3 b g Elusive Fort - Armatrading (Var) the winner they finished. 76 3 1.70 Top Of The Class (3) 58.0 G Cheyne 11/1 3 b g Var - Academia (Western Winter) 80 4 1.80 Lanza (5) 60.0 R Munger 71/10 A full explanation of the point system and 75 5 3.30 Clouded Hill (6) 60.0 R Fourie 16/10 the complete list of point earners is on the Sophomore Sprint (3yo’s)(L) R150 000 51 6 8.55 Sailor Sam (4) 58.0 D Dillon 30/1 Time: 77.07s (61.66s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) SP Total %: 111% Sporting Post website. Riding Storm 1st T:A Nel O:Mrs S Plattner B:La Plaisance Stud Andre Nel’s highly vaunted classic prospect Top Scorers for 2017/2018 (complete season to 31 July 2018) produced the goods and maintained his un- Let’s Change The Rules! horse age sex points races beaten record under a, let’s call it, ‘vigorous’ The Sporting Post has noted that the Legal Eagle 6 c 284 4 ride from Fayd’herbe to win the R150 000 Western Cape Stipendiary Board under Snowdance 3 f 264 6 Oh Susanna 3 f 242 4 Listed Sophomore Sprint at Durbanville. the Chairmanship of former jockey The Sabine Plattner owned bay colt has been Captain America 7 c 226 5 Nick Shearer has failed to respond to Coral Fever 5 c 194 4 in the news since winning his maiden in im- inquiries as to the National Horseracing Will Pays 6 c 190 5 pressive fashion in early August, with a failed Authority’s stance on the Sophomore Do It Again 3 c 176 5 formal appeal against his debut rating of 92. Sprint winning ride on Saturday. Attenborough 4 c 168 3 And after Saturday’s victory, he is likely to The Andre Nel trained Querari 3yo Nother Russia 5 f 154 4 attract some public attention again with his Undercover Agent 3 c 154 3 Pleasedtomeetyou maintained his 100% Eyes Wide Open 3 c 150 3 jockey’s high-handed whip action likely to record after shifting out late by showing Tap O' Noth 3 c 124 3 be the subject of much debate. smart ability to beat Elusive Trader. The Surcharge 3 c 110 3 To be fair, the winner probably didn’t enjoy horse is owned by Sabine Plattner, one of Takingthepeace 3 f 100 2 the Durbanville 1250m. Liege 5 c 100 1 the game’s biggest owners. Sergeant Hardy 4 c 100 1 Plaeasedtomeetyou looked a bit flat-foot- “I have asked the local board to respond. Sommerlied 4 f 95 2 ed late, but wasn’t allowed to dither. His I wish to state that the NHA subscribes to Sail South 7 c 86 2 rider had only shown him the whip up to the internationally accepted rules pertain- Soqrat 2 c 84 2 the 250m. ing to the use of the crop and the welfare Fiorella 3 f 80 3 But after the colt started drifting out and Marinaresco 5 c 78 2 of the horse is all important,” said Racing Wonderwall 3 c 76 3 came under pressure from Elusive Trader, Control Executive Arnold Hyde on Mon- Let It Rain 5 c 75 2 there was no doubt about Fayd’herbe’s day in response to an advice of a note of It's My Turn 5 c 75 3 determination. protest from various leading breeders and Trip To Heaven 6 c 75 2 And he duly responded, like the quality horse owners who witnessed the ride. Hero's Honour 3 c 70 1 he is, to beat the two-time winner from the Lobo's Legend 3 c 70 1 Fayd’herbe’s ride was obviously deemed Redberry Lane 4 f 70 1 Greg Ennion yard, who gave him 2kgs , by a to be within the NHA rules. Van Halen 2 c 70 1 decisive neck in a time of 77.07 secs. While he is of above average height and Mighty High 2 f 70 1 The top two were 1,50 lengths ahead of bigger than many of his colleagues, the Last Winter 4 c 70 2 pacemaker Top Of The Class in third, who Return Flight 2 f 70 1 general consensus is that Fayd’herbe’s ani- Made To Conquer 4 c 62 2 shaded Lanza into fourth. mated wielding of the crop and aggressive The Snaith’s well fancied Clouded Hill failed body language created a poor impression to get into the race and ran a disappointing of the sport to the largely uneducated Digest Diary 3,30 lengths off the winner at his first start audience comprised of many families at the country course. This wasn’t his form. attending the country course on Saturday. A La Plaisance Stud home-bred, Pleased- “If it is within the rules, then good luck tomeetyou is a son of Querari out of the to him. But somebody needs to stand up Features To Come twice-winning Fort Wood mare, Plaisir De and say it is not good enough - and the Sat 29 Sept Settlers Trophy (L) Fete, who won up to 2000m. rules have to be amended. It was ugly and 2400m Durbanville He has won two from two and took his unpleasant to watch. No wonder the sport Sat 6 Oct stakes earnings to R143 750. is frowned upon by various animal right’s Gr3 Matchem Stakes 1400m Durbanville Sophomore Sprint (3yo’s) (L) 1250m groups,” said one observer. Winner Pleasedtomeetyou led early, raced 2nd from 800; hard ridden final 150m; hung Gr3 Diana Stakes out and shifted out latter stages; just won 1400m Durbanville Runner-up Elusive Trader raced 4th; led Gr2 Joburg Spring Ch. 280m; pipped late Third Top Of The Class raced 2nd; led Sporting Post 1450m Turffontein (I) 800m; kept on, but no chance with first two ratings (AR) Gr2 Joburg Spring F&M Ch. Time: This was run 0.87s slower than the ability 1450m Turffontein (I) MR67 Handicap, run half an hour later! puts every horse in its place There was no real pace in the middle of the SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 16 here & elsewhere - Sarah WHitelaw

The Ashford Stud based na Cruiser, former Emerald Cup Horse Of The Year and 2015 hero, Deputy Jud and the above Triple Crown winner American mentioned Monomoy Girl. Pharoah was the talking sire While Seattle Slew was un- at last week’s opening session doubtedly the best sire among of the Keeneland September the US Triple Crown winners Yearling Sale. of the seventies, the names of The only horse ever to win both Secretariat and Affirmed both the US Triple Crown and continue to appear in major Breeders’ Cup Classic, American race winners today, with Secre- Pharoah had yearlings make up tariat’s influence in particular to $2.2 million in the first five still being felt. days. American Pharoah - whose Arguably the greatest horse Santa Anita Derby winning ever to race in North America, sire, Pioneerof The Nile, is also American Pharoah leads the way Secretariat made his mark, de- responsible for the hugely spite such standout runners as promising sire, Cairo Prince, already sire of a Gr3 winner in his first Lady’s Secret and Risen Star, as a broodmare sire. He is damsire crop - had three yearlings make more than $1 million, and his $2.2 of breed shaping sires Gone West, Storm Cat, and A P Indy, as million colt was the second top priced yearling sold at the Septem- well as the successful stallions Summer Squall, Honor Grades, ber Sale this year. and Holy Roman Emperor, to name a few. With the descend- At the time of writing, American Pharaoh was the third Leading ants of A P Indy, Gone West (grandsire of current boom US sire, Sire by aggregate at the sale with his 40 lots to sell grossing $17 Quality Road) and Storm Cat continuing to excel in major races, 985 000 and averaging $449 625. The champion had previously another grandson of Secretariat, Holy Roman Emperor, has come enjoyed commercial success at both the JRHA Select Yearling Sale to the fore this year thanks to his G1 winning offspring, Roman- (a colt made ised, Well Timed and Glorious Empire. 180 000 000 yen), and the Arqana August Sale, where a filly Inbreeding to the great chestnut has produced a flood of Gr1 fetched €850 000. winners, perhaps most notably champion sprinter and out- It remains to be seen if American Pharoah can follow in the standing sire, Speightstown. The latter, by Gone West out of a footsteps of 1977 Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, who went on champion daughter of Storm Cat, has not only sired nearly 100 to top the US Sires List in 1984. stakes winners - his tally includes 14 Gr1 winners - but is enjoying Sire of more than 100 stakes winners (111 black type winners increasing success as a sire of sires. To date, sons of Speights- -10% of his foals were stakes winners), Seattle Slew was also Cham- town to have sired at least one Gr1 winner include Poseidon’s pion Broodmare Sire in North America in 1995 and 1996. Warrior, Lord Shanakill, Munnings and Jersey Town. Not only did Seattle Slew sire top class stallions in A P Indy and Affirmed’s name looks likely to remain in pedigrees thanks to Capote, but his daughters have bred such high class sires as Lemon the deeds of his maternal grandson, Harlan’s Holiday. The latter, Drop Kid and Stormy Atlantic (Slew is also damsire of Offlee Wild, whose sire sons also include Gr1 producers, Shanghai Bobby and the sire of 2 Breeders Cup winners). The influence of Seattle Slew Majesticperfection, is the sire of an outstanding stallion son in continues to be felt strongly in North America today. His great the form of Into Mischief. The latter, said to be standing for a fee grandson, Tapit, has three US General Sires titles to his credit, and of $125 000 next year, has been responsible for six graded stakes is also paternal grandsire of 2018 Kentucky Oaks winner and 3yo winners this year, headed by Florida Derby winner, Audible, and filly standout, Monomoy Girl. Seattle Slew is the male ancestor of the promising 2yo, Instagrand. Into Mischief’s dual Breeders’ Gr1 winners Eskimo Kisses (Alabama Stake), Army Mule (Carter Cup Dirt Mile winner, Goldencents, is currently North America’s Hcp), Unique Belle (Clement Hirsch), Magnum Moon (Arkansas Leading First Crop Sire by earnings. Breeders’ Cup Classic/Dubai Derby), Mind Control (Hopeful Stakes), American Gal (Humana World Cup hero, Pleasantly Perfect - out of Affirmed’s G1 winning Distaff) Monomoy Girl, Ransom The Moon (Bing Crosby Hcp) and daughter Regal Stat- was a disappointing sire but did produce Sippican Harbor (Orb) in 2018 alone. a Breeders Cup winner in Shared Account as well as 2018 Gr1 Inbreeding to Seattle Slew, a champion at two, three and four, Forego Stakes winner, Whitmore. is also enjoying considerable success, and one of the most recent While American Pharoah, whose first three dams won 3 races results of this pattern is Saturday’s 19.75 length Gr2 Pocahontas between them. may be yet to show his actual worth as a stallion, Stakes winner, Serengetti Empress. Inbreeding to the brilliant Seat- he can hardly have made a better commercial start to his stud tle Slew has also resulted in current unbeaten US rising star, Catali- career and his line will be followed with great interest!

Missed recent results? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 17 breeding Farewell To The Rain Posh Win For In a major blow and shock for South African breeding, Wilgerbosdrift stallion Canford Princess Soft Falling Rain has died. South African jockey Glyn Schofield The Sporting Post invites Trained by Mike de Kock, Soft Falling steered Princess Posh to victory in the breeders to submit Rain was successful on three continents. Gr3 Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes run colour photographs of new foals He won seven of 13 starts - on turf and over 1400m at Newcastle on Friday for possible publication on our all-weather tracks - and was placed twice to give new Ridgemont Highlands various platforms. for career earnings of approximately stallion Canford Cliffs his eleventh Please email ZAR13-million. As a two-year-old, he won individual stakes winner. [email protected] the 2012 Grade 1 SA Nursery over 1200m Princess Posh came from just off the and kindly include breeding, at Turffontein by four lengths. Exported to Dubai, his three-year-old career produced pace to beat the favourite Savatiano birthdate and sex. (Street Cry) by a length with Irithea wins in the 2013 Grade 3 UAE 2000 Guin- (Snitzel) three and a half lengths back Any additional information and eas and the Grade 2 Godolphin Mile, both in third. titbits are welcome. over 1600m. Trainer Kris Lees said a stakes win The photographer’s name may As an early four-year-old, Soft Falling was a worthy reward for the tough also be included, Rain proved a class above his opposition daughter of Canford Cliffs (IRE) and if applicable. in the Grade 2 Nayef Joel Stakes, beat- that it was great to get a black-type win ing Montridge by 3.75-lengths over the for Australia Bloodstock. Newmarket Mile. He returned to Dubai With her first stakes win, Princess to defend the Godolphin Mile on Dubai Posh took her record to 7 wins, 2 sec- To Advertise World Cup Day in March 2014 and finished a gallant second to his supremely accom- onds and 5 thirds from 21 starts with contact Kiki 082 878 2231 plished stablemate Variety Club. earnings of AUD$391,020. She was an [email protected] AUD$25,000 purchase out of the Phoe- Soft Falling Rain was shipped back to nix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2015 the UK to contest what would be his final Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. race, the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over A half-sister to two winners, Princess Phumelela Shareprice 1600m at Royal Ascot. Despite an interrupt- Posh is out of the winning Viscount date close high low volume ed preparation, he gave a good account of mare The Baroness who is a half-sis- 19Sep 1340 1360 1340 7,230 himself finishing only 4 lengths off Toro- ter to Gr3 Millie Fox Stakes winner 18Sep 1340 1340 1319 21,897 nado, just running out of steam late in the A Country Girl out of the dual Listed 17Sep 1344 1344 1325 949 race. 14Sep 1285 1285 1285 0 stakes-winner Verdict Declared. Soft Falling Rain was bred at Highlands 13Sep 1285 1285 1285 0 Farm. He is one of 16 Gr1 winners by Na- The exciting Canford Cliffs (IRE), 12Sep 1285 1285 1280 40,762 who shuttled from 2012-16, has 11Sep 1280 1280 1280 5 tional Assembly from Gardener’s Delight created plenty of excitement in the 10Sep 1325 1326 1325 28,087 (Giant’s Causeway) and was a R350 000 SA breeding industry and now stands 07Sep 1325 1325 1325 22,292 yearling at the inaugural Cape Yearling Sale his first season at Highlands Part Of 06Sep 1325 1325 1325 0 in 2011, purchased for Sheikh Hamdan by 05Sep 1325 1325 1325 24,000 Angus Gold and Form Bloodstock. Ridgemont in the Western Cape for a 04Sep 1345 1345 1325 38 fee of R30 000. 03Sep 1360 1360 1325 25,365 The Equus Champion’s first yearlings were well received last season. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 18 breeding

Save The Premier Date BSA RTR Incentive Project Entries have closed for the Cape Pre- mier Yearling Sale (CPYS), hosted by Cape Catalogue Online! A Success Thoroughbred Sales (CTS), to be held at The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associa- the Cape Town International Convention tion (TBA), in conjunction with Bloodstock Centre on 23 and 24 January 2019. South Africa (BSA), initiated the Maiden CTS have put together a team comprising Juvenile Plate added stakes incentive this Kerry Jack, Grant Pritchard-Gordon (Badger) past racing season. and John Kramer who are currently visiting For every Maiden Juvenile Plate winner, all the stud farms to look at, and discuss, the purchased on a Bloodstock South Africa almost 300 entries as a first step towards sale, and where the added stakes box was finalising the catalogue – one that always ticked, a R40 000 bonus was paid. After delivers on pedigree, conformation and class. the first year of introducing this initiative With the catalogue due to be finalised by the Pomodoro (Jet Master – Golden Apple) the results speak for themselves: end of October, there’s an enormous amount Traditionally one of South Africa’s • 102 Maiden Juvenile winners received of work to do – a task being dealt with pas- most popular auctions, the BSA a bonus. This accounted for 54% of the sionately by the trio. Ready To Run Sale is due to take total Maiden Juvenile Plates run. Wéhann Smith, CEO of CTS, is optimistic place this year at the TBA complex in • In excess of R4 million was paid out to after examining the list of entries earlier Germiston on 4th of November, and owners, trainers, grooms and breeders. this week. “The quality of each renewal of will be held on the same day as the • 28% of the winners recovered their the Cape Premier Yearling Sale seems to im- Johannesburg Mixed Sale. purchase price in just winning the Maiden prove every year! Judging by the pedigrees Bloodstock South Africa have Juvenile Plate bonus. of next year’s entries, the 2019 CPYS will be announced that the catalogue is • 55% of the winners recovered in no exception! says Smith. now online and can be viewed live excess of their purchase price, if one takes “And we, as a business, are evolving to at www.bsa.co.za. It's made up of the race win stakes into account. meet the challenges and opportunities we 111 well bred 2yos, and this strong Winners were spread across the country, anticipate as we look forward to the future. looking sale looks sure to produce its indicating that all the racing centres have “We are proud of the work we’ve done share of high class runners. an equal chance with their BSA sales in the past, but we are now entering into The Ready To Run Sale has a long graduates. an exciting new era for our business with and proud of history of producing out- KwaZulu-Natal just pipped the Highveld renewed focus, energy and ideas. Our initial standing athletes, many of whom were by a total of 34 to 33 winners. goals have been met and we have created a acquired for very reasonable prices. In Port Elizabeth over 75% of the Maid- vibrant and sustainable brand in an industry Recent past graduates of this sale in- en Juvenile Plate winners received the that needed competition in order to grow clude former Horse Of The Year Igugu, bonus of R40 000. and innovate. This is even more important as well as such graded stakes winning While excellence at all levels is to be for every stakeholder today as we collective- stars as Pierre Jourdan, Redcarpet Cap- acknowledged and applauded, rewarding ly work together to regroup to build a better, tain, Chestnuts And Pearls, Rich Girl, first time winners this early on in their stronger and more resilient horse racing Tamaanee, and Dylan’s Promise. careers gives an added boost and quick industry” continues Smith. Top sires represented at this year’s return to any owner. This initiative gives The Sale has built a reputation of producing auction include all of Captain Al, Duke everyone an equal chance irrespective of champions, with more than 10% of yearlings Of Marmalade, Dynasty, Elusive Fort, where their horse is trained and which catalogued from inception becoming stakes Gimmethegreenlight, Pomodoro, BSA sale the horse is bought from. winners. It has also produced no fewer than Querari, Silvano, Trippi, Var, Visionaire It’s just a simple case of ticking the box 32 Grade 1 winners since its inception in and What A Winter. when signing for your purchase. 2011. This year’s entries include 10 yearlings Young stallions represented by As a further show of support by the TBA, by international superstars including Frankel, members of their first local crops this the stakes bonus has been increased for Uncle Mo, Camelot and Zoffany, while local year include triple Gr1 winner and the coming season. champion stallions such as Dynasty, Silvano, Equus Champion Capetown Noir, Chairman of the TBA, Lee Scribante Captain Al, Var, Querari and Trippi are well the Captain Al sired Equus Champi- confirmed: “The Maiden Juvenile program represented with 80 entries. on Captain Of All, Jet Master’s well is more far-reaching and offers rewards Producing quality catalogues is increas- bred Gr2 son Divine Jet, multiple Gr1 to a broader base than any other added ingly important, seeing that direct foreign winner Linngari, globetrotting Equus value stakes incentives. We thus agreed investment from international buyers grew Champions Soft Falling Rain and that graduates of the 2018 BSA sales will to 33% of total turnover at the 2018 CPYS – Vercingetorix, and Redoute’s Choice’s be rewarded with a R50 000 bonus on amounting to over R36 million of the almost multiple Gr1 winner Wylie Hall. winning a Maiden Juvenile race.” R111 million in sales. There are a large number of well Remember to tick the box in 2019! Read more bred lots on offer at the 2018 Ready To Run Sale. View the lots here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 19

Leading breeders by Stakes season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 Stakes Breeder rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes 2,564,175 Klawervlei Stud 178 14,405 279 28 29 16% 0 0 0% 90 32% 0 Gimme Hope Johanna 114,400 4% 2,321,614 Summerhill Stud 167 13,902 269 27 30 16% 0 0 0% 67 25% 0 Come The Day 172,500 7% 1,936,563 Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein 103 18,802 155 23 25 22% 0 0 0% 45 29% 0 Puget Sound 176,950 9% 993,337 Drakenstein Stud 51 19,477 76 10 10 20% 1 1 10% 25 33% 1 Chimichuri Run 156,250 16% 931,550 Highlands 73 12,761 123 8 8 11% 0 0 0% 38 31% 0 Dawnbreaker 72,875 8% 908,713 Varsfontein Stud 45 20,194 68 11 11 24% 0 0 0% 19 28% 0 La Valette 70,875 8% 733,725 La Plaisance Stud 39 18,813 54 6 7 15% 1 1 17% 23 43% 0 Pleasedtomeetyou 143,750 20% 677,175 Scott Bros 72 9,405 117 6 6 8% 0 0 0% 30 26% 1 Star In The Sky 70,875 10% 637,562 Moutonshoek 62 10,283 95 6 6 10% 0 0 0% 31 33% 0 Mambo Model 80,300 13% 625,612 Favour Stud 50 12,512 84 6 6 12% 0 0 0% 25 30% 0 Tribal Fusion 96,525 15% 604,275 Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud 60 10,071 91 5 5 8% 0 0 0% 27 30% 0 Dodgy Itie 125,000 21% 590,450 Gary Player Stud 44 13,419 81 7 7 16% 0 0 0% 25 31% 0 Rockstar Child 97,375 16% 566,150 Maine Chance 61 9,281 80 8 8 13% 0 0 0% 11 14% 0 Calvary 65,625 12% 543,250 Lammerskraal Stud 34 15,978 39 7 7 21% 0 0 0% 14 36% 0 Farland 65,625 12% 522,000 Normandy Stud 31 16,839 49 6 6 19% 0 0 0% 19 39% 0 Carlas Mambo 74,000 14%

Leading SIREs by Stakes season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes A daughter of Nadeson 1,683,262 Var 88 19,128 139 19 20 22% 0 0 0% 50 36% 1 Red Mars 127,225 8% Park’s Redoute’s Choice 1,573,613 Silvano 87 18,088 130 19 19 22% 1 1 5% 43 33% 0 Konkola 93,750 6% 1,340,138 Querari 54 24,817 73 16 19 30% 1 1 6% 19 26% 0 Angel’s Trumpet 154,750 12% stallion Time Thief, Gr1 1,320,662 *Sail From Seattle 72 18,343 109 17 18 24% 0 0 0% 28 26% 0 Puget Sound 176,950 13% 1,315,762 Gimmethegreenlight 80 16,447 117 15 16 19% 0 0 0% 35 30% 0 Empire Rising 103,750 8% winner In Her Time will 1,256,725 Trippi 56 22,442 79 13 13 23% 1 1 8% 25 32% 0 Chimichuri Run 156,250 12% only have one prep race 1,172,800 Mambo In Seattle 62 18,916 102 12 12 19% 0 0 0% 44 43% 0 Rockstar Child 97,375 8% 1,056,300 Judpot 56 18,863 86 13 13 23% 0 0 0% 28 33% 0 An Air Of Success 78,400 7% in the lead-up to the 1,032,512 *Captain Al 62 16,653 89 11 11 18% 0 0 0% 39 44% 1 Captain Courteous 73,125 7% 1,008,400 Dynasty 62 16,265 95 12 12 19% 0 0 0% 26 27% 0 Shogun 72,500 7% A$13 million The Everest 853,975 Seventh Rock 53 16,113 88 10 10 19% 0 0 0% 27 31% 0 Gimme Hope Johanna 114,400 13% at Royal Randwick on 13 837,075 Pathfork 47 17,810 79 8 9 17% 0 0 0% 25 32% 0 Gorgeous Guest 90,000 11% 828,450 Oratorio 64 12,945 89 8 8 13% 0 0 0% 37 42% 0 Tuulikki 85,525 10% October. 733,875 Philanthropist 56 13,105 99 8 8 14% 0 0 0% 29 29% 0 Vivir 74,700 10% 712,400 *Horse Chestnut 44 16,191 77 7 8 16% 0 0 0% 22 29% 0 Magnificent Seven 132,500 19% She showed enthusiasm when finishing second to Leading SIREs of 3yo’s by Stakes season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 stable companion El Dora- Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes do Dreaming in a 1000m rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes trial at Newcastle on 713,900 Var 27 26,441 42 9 9 33% 0 0 0% 17 40% 1 Rule The Night 95,387 13% 665,950 Querari 21 31,712 29 9 10 43% 1 1 11% 9 31% 0 Pleasedtomeetyou 143,750 22% Wednesday. That was her 519,275 *Sail From Seattle 31 16,751 45 7 7 23% 0 0 0% 12 27% 0 Driven Force 65,625 13% 470,013 Master Of My Fate 29 16,207 44 3 4 10% 0 0 0% 18 41% 0 Lickerio 111,875 24% second public show for 446,750 Trippi 12 37,229 16 4 4 33% 1 1 25% 9 56% 0 Chimichuri Run 156,250 35% her new trainer Kris Lees 432,650 Judpot 23 18,811 30 5 5 22% 0 0 0% 10 33% 0 Strawberry Wine 66,000 15% 425,400 Philanthropist 28 15,193 46 5 5 18% 0 0 0% 11 24% 0 Vivir 74,700 18% after her previous handler 383,500 Dynasty 18 21,306 23 6 6 33% 0 0 0% 5 22% 0 Thanksgiving 70,875 18% 360,325 What A Winter 29 12,425 42 5 5 17% 0 0 0% 13 31% 0 Tasunke 57,575 16% Ben Smith was suspended 354,275 Seventh Rock 23 15,403 38 5 5 22% 0 0 0% 8 21% 0 Rock A Roll Dancer 78,375 22% just over a week ago. In the trial the sta- Leading SIREs by Stakes on sand season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 ble-mates put a four- Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes length gap on the rest of 203,250 Philanthropist 9 22,583 22 2 2 22% 0 0 0% 13 59% 0 Sea Bean 71,600 35% the field and ran quick 173,800 *Latino Magic 2 86,900 6 2 2 100% 0 0 0% 2 33% 0 Dodgy Itie 125,000 72% 142,325 Mambo In Seattle 12 11,860 19 3 3 25% 0 0 0% 4 21% 0 Lake Washington 53,650 38% time in the process. 113,850 Var 9 12,650 13 2 2 22% 0 0 0% 4 31% 0 Bank On It 40,050 35% "She was a little bit keen 109,500 *Kahal 10 10,950 21 1 1 10% 0 0 0% 12 57% 0 Exclusive 36,250 33% 104,500 *Fort Wood 3 34,833 7 1 2 33% 0 0 0% 1 14% 0 Timkat 104,500 100% in the early stages but 102,175 *King’s Chapel 6 17,029 9 2 2 33% 0 0 0% 5 56% 0 Bishop Of Bombay 46,050 45% 88,725 Pathfork 5 17,745 7 1 1 20% 0 0 0% 1 14% 0 Tweed Valley 84,375 95% Corey Brown indicated he 87,775 *Sail From Seattle 4 21,944 7 2 2 50% 0 0 0% 1 14% 0 Seattle Sunset 50,625 58% had plenty of horse under with 10 or more runners him," Lees told Sky Sports Leading breeders by aepr season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 Radio. Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes He added that his 262,775 BH & AJ Botha 7 37,539 12 2 4 29% 0 0 0% 1 8% 0 Angel’s Trumpet 154,750 59% charge has a very good 193,062 CF & Mrs de Vos 6 32,177 9 2 2 33% 0 0 0% 5 56% 0 Rule The Night 95,387 49% 214,338 HR Truter 7 30,620 17 2 2 29% 0 0 0% 7 41% 0 Mantracker 79,375 37% record running fresh 137,750 Snyman Stud 5 27,550 8 2 2 40% 0 0 0% 1 13% 0 Rock A Roll Dancer 78,375 57% and he expects her to be 136,650 PLV Mickleburgh 5 27,330 9 2 2 40% 0 0 0% 4 44% 0 Operetta 60,650 44% 513,487 Graystone Stud 19 27,026 51 4 4 21% 0 0 0% 25 49% 0 Highlander 104,700 20% highly competitive when 133,425 ALA Crabbia 5 26,685 9 2 2 40% 0 0 0% 3 33% 0 An Air Of Success 78,400 59% 122,875 Druk-my-Niet Stud 5 24,575 11 1 1 20% 0 0 0% 5 45% 0 Valentinik 65,950 54% she steps out in the Gr2 119,450 Optima Trust 5 23,890 9 2 2 40% 0 0 0% 1 11% 0 Flight Captain 71,050 59% Premiere Stakes over

The FULL Statistics ONLINE http://www.sportingpost.co.za/horse-racing-statistics/ *Stallion dead or Retired **Stallion Not Standing in RSA 1200m at Randwick on **Breeding operations not based in RSA - Statistics for Breeders & Sires reflect all earnings, incl. restricted races & handicap races Saturday week. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 20

Leading TRAINERS by STAKES season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 trainer rides wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ % % % % four four% rides Ticket To Ride J Snaith 151 28 19% 34 23% 50% 16 11% 78 52% 2,138,525 14,162 Cape Champion Aldo Domeyer SG Tarry 102 16 16% 21 21% 29% 8 8% 42 41% 1,483,487 14,544 AC Greeff 139 17 12% 34 24% 32% 17 12% 57 41% 1,183,375 8,513 shared the riding honours with MF de Kock 82 10 12% 17 21% 29% 13 16% 43 52% 1,115,550 13,604 Richard Fourie at Durbanville on DR Drier 53 13 25% 14 26% 50% 4 8% 28 53% 986,750 18,618 GB Puller 59 12 20% 6 10% 83% 6 10% 28 47% 918,775 15,572 Tuesday, riding three winners for GD Smith 145 12 8% 11 8% 18% 9 6% 56 39% 893,250 6,160 DC Howells 79 8 10% 12 15% 33% 14 18% 40 51% 882,000 11,165 three different yards. He won A Nel 62 9 15% 7 11% 29% 11 18% 35 56% 869,400 14,023 for Candice Bass-Robinson, Mike GS Kotzen 81 9 11% 12 15% 17% 13 16% 34 42% 866,400 10,696 BJ Crawford 66 9 14% 15 23% 33% 7 11% 40 61% 795,075 12,047 Robinson and Piet Steyn. Domeyer, Y Bremner 95 9 9% 15 16% 27% 13 14% 42 44% 773,425 8,141 Aldo Domeyer is keen to who boasts a 20% win strike-rate, SD Gray 80 6 8% 3 4% 33% 9 11% 42 53% 771,525 9,644 make a big impression at VH Marshall 71 8 11% 4 6% 50% 10 14% 32 45% 702,650 9,896 told the SP Digest that he was T Laing 67 9 13% 5 7% 60% 7 10% 36 54% 697,075 10,404 Kranji C Bass-Robinson 93 6 6% 8 9% 13% 9 10% 39 42% 644,550 6,931 looking forward to riding at Kranji RR Magner 68 7 10% 5 7% 20% 2 3% 30 44% 601,501 8,846 SB Kotzen 52 10 19% 7 13% 43% 5 10% 22 42% 568,975 10,942 in the PGI International next week, alongside Muzi Yeni and OA Ferraris 41 6 15% 7 17% 43% 5 12% 21 51% 568,850 13,874 Lyle Hewitson. PA Peter 68 5 7% 10 15% 20% 9 13% 26 38% 551,813 8,115 WGC Miller 61 9 15% 8 13% 75% 6 10% 23 38% 544,425 8,925 Ashley Fortune 28 7 25% 11 39% 55% 5 18% 15 54% 532,975 19,035 CE Erasmus 46 7 15% 2 4% 0% 3 7% 18 39% 521,901 11,346 JAJ v Vuuren 53 4 8% 4 8% 50% 8 15% 23 43% 512,450 9,669 T Spies 82 5 6% 5 6% 0% 8 10% 25 30% 501,286 6,113 GM Alexander 56 4 7% 4 7% 0% 6 11% 22 39% 454,050 8,108 Gold Star Leading jockeys by WINS Yellow Star Stud-based trainer season 2018/2019 * 1 August - 16 September 2018 Ivan Van Wyk celebrated his first jockey rides wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ % % % % four four% rides winner of the season at Scotts- M Yeni 271 30 11% 49 18% 18% 42 15% 140 52% 2,884,312 10,643 ville on Wednesday when Serino R Fourie 78 25 32% 30 38% 53% 9 12% 54 69% 1,733,375 22,223 R Munger 181 21 12% 28 15% 21% 30 17% 96 53% 1,846,125 10,200 Moodley guided Merlin From Berlin A Marcus 74 20 27% 46 62% 30% 14 19% 54 73% 1,744,175 23,570 G Cheyne 90 18 20% 33 37% 33% 14 16% 56 62% 1,247,175 13,858 to his maiden win in the second. W Kennedy 186 17 9% 22 12% 23% 24 13% 87 47% 1,953,750 10,504 Ivan, who only took his licence out KS Sakayi 82 15 18% 5 6% 60% 6 7% 32 39% 1,086,475 13,250 Ivan van Wyk will be happy M v Rensburg 106 14 13% 17 16% 29% 10 9% 48 45% 1,169,163 11,030 to have opened his account in May 2017, enjoyed his career ice- L Mxothwa 65 14 22% 7 11% 43% 4 6% 28 43% 763,650 11,748 L J Ferraris 124 13 10% 18 15% 33% 16 13% 54 44% 1,399,700 11,288 breaker when the tough Bezrin geld- S Khumalo 49 11 22% 9 18% 56% 9 18% 27 55% 1,008,612 20,584 ing Putchini won at the same venue in September 2017. A Domeyer 65 11 17% 16 25% 31% 10 15% 43 66% 916,350 14,098 K De Melo 92 11 12% 17 18% 35% 12 13% 47 51% 1,095,737 11,910 C Maujean 120 10 8% 10 8% 40% 9 8% 43 36% 888,200 7,402 S Veale 59 10 17% 10 17% 50% 2 3% 23 39% 750,950 12,728 D Schwarz 105 10 10% 7 7% 29% 6 6% 35 33% 856,838 8,160 P Strydom 44 9 20% 8 18% 38% 5 11% 22 50% 724,838 16,474 C Zackey 109 9 8% 11 10% 0% 16 15% 41 38% 977,674 8,969 S Fortune 72 9 13% 3 4% 0% 1 1% 19 26% 513,300 7,129 K Zechner 89 8 9% 11 12% 18% 7 8% 30 34% 712,200 8,002 J Penny 129 8 6% 1 1% 100% 4 3% 32 25% 516,125 4,001 Winning Form R Danielson 47 7 15% 8 17% 63% 6 13% 26 55% 637,175 13,557 R Simons 60 7 12% 12 20% 33% 7 12% 34 57% 760,588 12,676 Winning Form sponsored jockey D Dillon 91 7 8% 4 4% 25% 13 14% 37 41% 753,350 8,279 Muzi Yeni and his Ashburton boss C Storey 77 7 9% 6 8% 50% 7 9% 25 32% 535,275 6,952 F Herholdt 85 6 7% 6 7% 33% 7 8% 30 35% 522,325 6,145 Duncan Howells enjoyed a smart double at Scottsville on Wednesday. This was a good outcome, despite the fact that the The top team of powerful yard had Racing To Win Muzi Yeni and eleven competitive Duncan Howells are runners on the day. worth following The combination are operating on a 14% win strike-rate and that is expect- ed to improve as they step out more of their youngsters. Muzi heads the SA National log with 33 winners and an 11% strike-rate. Inter- estingly, his place strike rate is 40%!

Follow US SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 21

POTALA PALACE (Singspiel) 2nd season sires – 3yo’s Ruby Joy 3g (Wine Dark Sea by Touch Gold) Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (21/09) ATO (Royal Academy) Watsonia 3g (Cape Floral by Fort Wood) Easy Ginger 3g (Diligence by Kahal) Fairview 6 MR 71 Handicap (F&M)(Polytrack) 1200m (21/09) Greyville 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1200m (21/09) Chijmes 3g (Sophie’s Choice by Russian Revival) THE APACHE (Mogok) Turffontein 1 Maiden Plate (3yo’s) 1200m (22/09) Cape Leopard 3g (Darley Rose by Fusaichi Pegasus) Fairview 3 Maiden Plate (Polytrack) 2200m (21/09) DUKE OF MARMALADE (Danehill) Adorable Analia 3g (Idilic Charm by In The Money) Paddingtons Luck 3g (Let’s Try Again by Spend A Buck) Greyville 4 MR 68 Handicap (F&M)(Turf) 1600m (23/09) Greyville 2 Maiden Plate (3yo’s)(Polytrack) 1900m (21/09) The Irishman 3g (Reap the Rewards by Kahal) WHERE’S THAT TIGER (Storm Cat) Turffontein 1 Maiden Plate (3yo’s) 1200m (22/09) Perfect Tigress 3g (Tree Of Perfection by Toreador) Duchessofmarmalade 3g (Spirit Ofthe Dance by Goldmark) Turffontein 8 MR 84 Handicap (F&M) 1200m (22/09) Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate (3yo Fillies) 1200m (22/09) Chouette 3g (Bois De Boulogne by Trippi) Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate (3yo Fillies) 1200m (22/09) Myrrh 3g (Mirth by Encosta de Lago) Notable Maiden Winners Turffontein 4 Maiden Plate (3yo’s) 1600m (22/09) VISIONAIRE Duchess Lane 3g (Katy’s Lane by Tamburlaine) Rated AR 80 Caliente (3g Lady Red by Russian Revival) Greyville 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Turf) 1000m (23/09) Maiden Plate Scottsville (1600m) (16/9) JACKSON (Dynasty) Beaten less than 3 lengths in the KZN Yearling Sale Million last Mystical Son 3g M( agical Eve by Oratorio) time out, Caliente had been gelded prior to making his seasonal Greyville 2 Maiden Plate (3yo’s)(Polytrack) 1900m (21/09) debut here. Soon up handy, after being swiftly guided over from a wide draw by Anton Marcus, Caliente took up the running 200m MASTER OF MY FATE (Jet Master) out, and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to Pink 3g (Punta Chica by Dynasty) score by a length and three quarters. Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate (3yo Fillies) 1200m (22/09) La Duchesse 3g (Grisette by Fort Wood) Greyville 2 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Turf) 1400m (23/09) Horses To Follow NOBLE TUNE (Unbridled’s Song) HORSE CHESTNUT French Nobility 3g (Liste Secrete by Peintre Celebre) Rated AR 90 Socrates (4c Strait To Bed by Rakeen) Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (21/09) MR80 Handicap Scottsville (1000m) (16/9) Wait A Sec 3g (In A While by Rakeen) Now a winner of three from seven, Socrates has been progress- Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (21/09) ing with each outing. Taken straight to the front by Anton Marcus, Call Me Blue 3g (Bistro Belle by Rambo Dancer) this son of Horse Chestnut led throughout. He ran on strongly at Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (21/09) the business end of the race and won well by a length and a half. Paradise Song 3g (Jet To Paradise by Jet Master) Greyville 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1200m (21/09) Vega Vox 3g (Slew per Jet by Jet Master) TRIPPI Turffontein 3 Maiden Plate (3yo Fillies) 1600m (22/09) Rated AR 97 Tribal Fusion (6g Far De Vie by Fard) MR90 Handicap Scottsville (1400m) (16/9) POMODORO (Jet Master) Very sparingly raced for a 6yo, Shane Humby’s charge has shown Pomaceous 3g (Festive Fantasy by Special Preview) considerable improvement since returning from a 15 month Fairview 8 MR 72 Handicap (Polytrack) 1300m (21/09) break in February, and has now won five of his fourteen career Riga D’ora 3g (Terra Marianna by Doowaley) outings. He won with authority carrying 62.5kg and further im- Turffontein 1 Maiden Plate (3yo’s) 1200m (22/09) provement could be forthcoming. Kapama 3g (Kruger Park by Al Mufti) Turffontein 3 Maiden Plate (3yo Fillies) 1600m (22/09)

Is Your Horse One To Follow?

Check the Notable Maiden Winners & Horses for the Notebook on this page - see how promising the Sporting Post ability ratings (AR) say they are. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 22 news Sports and Betting English Premier League Zayat’s Irish Glory Game week 6 Preview Old Glory - a son of Frankel who topped last year's Goffs English Premier League foot- Orby Yearling Sale at €1.6 million - got his career off to the ball returned with a bang perfect start by winning a 1400m maiden at Naas on debut last weekend as Chelsea and on Wednesday. Liverpool maintained their The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt is the first runner in Ireland 100 percent records, while to carry the colours of Zayat Stables, made famous by Triple champions, Manchester Crown hero American Pharoah, who own the horse in part- City, remained unbeaten nership with Coolmore. after their thumping win It took a while for Old Glory to pass long-time leader Erich over Fulham. It’s not looking as rosy at the bottom end though with Bloch, a Ger Lyons-trained Dandy Man gelding who already four teams – Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Burnley – still in had two runs under his belt, but jockey Donnacha O'Brien search of their first win. There’s plenty of exciting matchups to look pushed him out hands and heels to win by a cosy one and a forward to this weekend, and after delivering a winning treble at half lengths. 6/1 last week, we’re confident that we can keep the momentum Aidan O'Brien said after the race: "I'm delighted with that, going with more winning bets. he should come forward plenty. To catch up with Jesse Nagel previews click here "We might look at the Killavullan Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown for him, but he'll stay much further in time." Saturday 22 September Old Glory had been signed for at Goffs by US agent Justin 15/10 Fulham | Draw 49/20 | Watford 7/4 (13:30) Casse, accompanied by Justin Zayat, when he formed part of Tough game to call here, but my money is on Fulham to bounce the draft from his breeder Eddie Irwin's Marlhill House Stud back here at 15/10 – plenty of value as well. last September. 16/1 Cardiff | 13/2 | Manchester City 1/6 (16:00) "We came here looking for horses with stallion potential," A straightforward encounter is expected here – back the said Casse at the time. "Justin Zayat liked him and Aidan champions on the (-1) Handicap at 9/20! [O'Brien] liked him, and the parties involved know all about 1/5 Liverpool | 57/10 | Southampton 25/2 (16:00) making stallions. Plus, he's out of a young stakes-producing Back the Home Win to Nil market here at 17/20. mare." Justin Zayat added: "He's an unbelievable physical and as 1/1 Crystal Palace | 24/10 | Newcastle United 29/10 (16:00) soon as I saw him I said 'wow - I can't leave here without him'. Get on the home win here at even money. I'm looking for a rock star that can start our global expansion!" 6/10 Manchester United | 3/1 | Wolves 47/10 (16:00) Old Glory is the fifth foal out of the winning Xaar mare A hard-fought encounter is expected, but the Red Devils should Belesta, who is herself out of the Prix de Royaumont winner come out on top. Bellarida, whose family have enjoyed notable success this 18/10 Burnley | 23/10 | Bournemouth 31/20 (16:00) year. Her granddaughter With You took the Prix Rothschild last Despite the Cherries’ resilient attack, I fancy Burnley to get a month and her great granddaughter Teppal claimed the Poule point at home here. d'Essai des Pouliches in May. 6/10 Leicester City | 28/10 | Huddersfield 5/1 (16:00) Belesta is also a half-sister to Group 3 winner - and dam of At 6/10, the home win looks too good to pass up – get on! Prix de l'Opera heroine We Are - In Clover. 38/10 Brighton | 29/10 | Tottenham 7/10 (18:30) Old Glory is a close relation to Norwegian Group 3 winner A big call to make, but my money will be on the home side here Giuseppe Piazzi, a son of Galileo who landed the Oslo Cup and at 38/10! the Scandinavian Open Championship, and is a half-brother to Adjusted, a son of Montjeu who won the Group 2 Herbert Sunday 23 September Power Stakes in Australia. 52/10 West Ham | 7/2 | Chelsea 5/10 (14:30) Since producing Old Glory the dam has had a colt, now a Back West Ham on the Double Chance & Both Teams to Score yearling, by Starspangledbanner. at 26/10. O'Brien already has a fruitful association with the proge- 5/10 Arsenal | 37/10 | Everton 5/1 (17:00) ny of Frankel, notably with Group 2 Futurity Stakes winner Back Arsenal to Win & Both Teams to Score here at 15/10! Rostropovich - who also landed a Group 3 at the Curragh on Saturday - and dual Group 3 winner Nelson. QUAD @ 12/1 Man City (-1) Handicap 9/20 -Racing Post Liverpool Win to Nil 17/20 Crystal Palace Win 1/1 Arsenal Win & BTTS 15/10

Missed recent results? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 23

Clockwatching with Steve Furnish

Last Week’s Top Rated Speed Ratings winners incl. won 13/1 Ready To Strike Come The Day ...... won 12/1 ...... Iknow won 10/1 A review of the week's best speedratings ...... Farland won 6/1 Celestial Storm ...... won 5/1 ourself ...... here we saw a comfortable victory for the Be Y won 9/2 nibbled at JOHNNY BLACK. On leaving the Royal Utopia ...... won 4/1 Hello Mary Lou stalls it was PRINCE ALFRED who elected to Rockstar Child ...... won 61/20 make the running and he very quickly went Rose In Bloom ...... Greyville 9 September four lengths clear. Johnny Black meanwhile The faster of the two 1600m events raced handy in fourth. Prince Alfred kept on that opened up proceedings on the poly strongly in the straight and did have the rest track on Sunday was the novice plate won held. Johnny Black quickened nicely over Top speed ratings in good style by the Await The Dawn filly the final 300m though and went on to score SWEET MARY LOU. Sent off third in the going away by a length and a half. for this weekend betting market, Sean Tarry’s charge was The only other distance to stage more (Ratings shown have already been adjusted to always handy. She was ridden to lead as than one race was 1800m. Neither were par- allocated weights) they approached the 300m marker and ticularly fast run, but the quicker of the two Fairview (fri) drew clear easily in the closing stages was the MR82 Handicap won by the favour- Race 1: (9) Malinda 4 of the race to score by three and three ite TALITHA BOREALIS. Soon positioned close Race 2: (9) Keep It Green 32 quarters. Race 3: (9) Cape Leopard 23 (NAP**) to the speed, the Ideal World filly was always Race 4: (6) Chit Chat 65 Four of the afternoon’s eight races were poised to strike. She did so going through Race 5: (9) Rocksette 65 staged over 1400m and stopping the clock the 300m and won with authority from the Race 6: (7) Oklahoma Sky 45 Race 7: (4) Reine Tonnerre 59 in the fastest of these was SEA URCHIN running on ANGEL OF ATHENS. in the pinnacle stakes. Another to race Race 8: (5) Humble Addict 61 Titbits Positioned in midfield after setting off Greyville (fri) handy, Garth Puller’s 7yo ran on stoutly from a wide draw, the newcomer DHARMA was Race 1: (2) Seraphic 2 at the business end of the race, and with flying late when only beaten a neck in the boy’s Race 2: (2) Combat Captain 14 the rest well beaten he got the better of division of the maiden plate for 3yo’s over 1250m. Race 3: (6) Sail Into The Sun 6 Race 4: (3) Statute 61 ROYAL ARMOUR by a neck. Race 5: (9) Peter Piper 43 At the other end of the scale the easiest Race 6: (6) Pearl Glow 61 victory on the card was recorded by STAR Super Strong Race 7: (5) Zadora 40 IN THE SKY when getting off the mark Race 8: (3) Lotsa Silver 32 Greyville 12 September Turffontein (sat) in the maiden plate over 1900m. Soon Racing returned to the poly track on Race 1: (1) Hartleyfour 1 up handy despite being a little slow into Race 2: (9) Golden Spiral 3 stride, Dennis Drier’s charge raced third Wednesday afternoon where the faster of Race 3: (2) Irish Wonder Girl 8 Race 4: (6) Indy Ice 7 (NAP*) for most of the journey. She put her head the two 1000m events was the MR64 Hand- icap won by LONDON KNIGHT. Taken straight Race 5: (4) Gold Dawn 39 (EW) in front shortly after passing halfway and Race 6: (11) Heart Of Africa 35 drew clear easily in the closing stages of to the front by apprentice AS KAYI, the 6yo Race 7: (9) Varimax 38 Race 8: (1) Pool Party 54 the race to score by six. son of Great Britain led throughout. He was always in command and despite the efforts Race 9: (3) Mademoiselle 26 Titbits HOLY LAND won the opening maiden Greyville (sun) plate for 3yo’s going away by four. of the always handy ROSE HILL, he won with- Race 1: (1) Innocently Naughty 8 out any anxious moments by a length and Race 2: (5) La Duchesse 9 three quarters. Race 3: (5) Arrow’s Mark 12 Country Toast Race 4: (8) Bridal Veil 41 The maiden plate for 3yo’s was the faster Race 5: (5) Tommy Grand 60 Durbanville 11 September of the two 1200m races and here we saw a Race 6: (1) Anime 68 The girls were the quicker in the two very easy victory for the Dennis Drier trained Race 7: (10) Got Your Back 38 1250m maiden plates for 3yo’s that BLACKBURN ROC. Backed into joint favour- Race 8: (14) Power Horse 25 opened up the meeting and here the itism at the track, Blackburn Roc also led Nap bets well-supported CELESTIAL STORM opened throughout. He began to assert his authority * Fancied ** Strongly fancied her account. Backed into 6/1 from 15’s, going through the 300m and won going *** Very strongly fancied the daughter of What A Winter led away by four. throughout. She found extra when chal- The only other distance to stage more than lenged by CANTATA 300m out and with the one race was 1400m where the faster of Horses worth following rest well beaten, she won comfortably by the two maiden plates was the boy’s affair at their next few starts... two. The MR78 Handicap was the faster in which FARLAND got off the mark. Soon Dharma (G Ennion, W-Cape) of the two 1000m races that followed and up handy despite being a little slow into SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 24

Clockwatching cont. stride, and clipping heels at the 1200m, er and won well by two from the running Titbits Nibbled at on course into 11/1 from the son of Querari was always poised to on MOSHAV. 16’s MY DREAM CHASER quickened well late when comfortably accounting for her twelve strike. He did so as they approached the Titbits Deep in the red at the off, VIRGINIA rivals in the MR80 Handicap over 1450m. 300m marker and kept on strongly below opened her account in the maiden plate over the distance to fend off a determined 1600m easing down by four and a half. challenge from the much more fancied WALTER THE PENNILESS by a neck. Smart Records Titbits The 6yo WINTER’S COMING was finish- Turffontein 15 September (Number of races run in each category shown in brackets) ing best of all when only beaten a short head in * Times taken by Clockwatcher the MR80 Handicap over 1600m. Five of the nine races on the inner track on Saturday were staged over 1450m and Greyville (poly) 9 September Going Standard by far the fastest of these was the not Course Variant: 0,39s slow Consistency Reward so lucky last in which PIETRO MASCAGNI 1400m (4) Sea Urchin 81,58 Vaal 13 September registered his third win from just six starts. 1600m (2) Sweet Mary Lou 95,28 They raced on the classic track on Sent off at 71/10 to win this MR90 Hand- 1900m (1) Star In The Sky 116,59 2000m (1) Stelvio 125,17 Thursday where three of the afternoon’s icap, Mike De Kock’s charge wasn’t the Durbanville 11 September eight races took place over 1200m. The quickest into stride and raced in midfield Penetrometer 20 – Going Good MR66 Handicap was the fastest of these during the early part of the race. He quick- Course Variant: 0,35s fast and here the 6yo QUATTRO registered ened well going through the 400m and in 1000m (2) Johnny Black 57,92 his fifth career victory. Easy to back on what proved to be a real thriller, he got 1250m (2) Celestial Storm 75,92 1400m (1) Angel’s Trumpet 84,85 course, Grant Maroun’s charge was soon the better of the well-supported D’AR- 1600m (1) Be Yourself 100,95 positioned close to the speed. He put RIVEE (9/1 into 4/1) by a neck. 1800m (2) Talitha Borealis 113,15 his head in front as they approached the The only other distance to stage more Greyville (poly) 12 September 200m marker and kept on strongly late to than one event on this card was 2000m Going Standard Course Variant: 0,65s slow beat the running on CAMEL WALK by two. where the faster of the two was the MR87 1000m (2) London Knight 57,05 The opening work rider’s maiden event Handicap in which COME THE DAY com- 1200m (2) Gorgeous Guest 70,08 was surprisingly the faster of the two pleted a smart hat-trick. Now a winner of 1400m (2) Farland 84,49 1600m races on the card and here the four of his nine races to date, the bottom 1600m (1) Q The Music 94,93 second favourite ROCKSTAR CHILD got off weight was content to sit seventh of the 1900m (1) Samsonite 115,69 Vaal (classic) 13 September the mark. Always in touch with the lead- nine early on. He ran on stoutly at the Penetrometer 22 – Going Good ers in what quickly became a strung out business end of the race, and in an event Course Variant: 0,59s slow field, the son of Mambo In Seattle put his where only a neck covered the first three 1000m (2) Roman Evening 56,96 head in front 450m out and did have the home, he got up late. 1200m (3) Quattro 70,72 1450m (1) Strawberry Pavlova 89,20 running on favourite MAJOR RETURN held At the other end of the scale the easiest 1600m (2) Rockstar Child 99,56* at the wire. victory on the card was recorded by PEN- Turffontein (inside) 15 September They also ran two races over 1000m NY FROM HEAVEN in the MR72 Handicap Penetrometer 20 – Going Good and quickest home in these was RO- for the girls over 1600m. Always handy, Course Variant: 0,25s slow MAN EVENING in the MR74 Handicap. Mike De Kock’s charge put her head in 1200m (1) Rock Pigeon 73,44 1450m (5) Pietro Mascagni 86,94 Positioned in midfield early on, the well front 350m out and cruised clear in the 1600m (1) Penny From Heaven 97,76 exposed son of Imperial Stride struck the closing stages of the race to score by four 2000m (2) Come The Day 124,19 front shortly after passing the 400m mark- and three quarters. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 20 september 2018 25

Doing The Splits Splits for Greyville 29 July