SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 1

Thursday 30 August 2018

fairview poly Friday Best Roving Banker: R3-(1)Mogok’s Time(4/1)

turffontein Saturday Best Roving Banker: R1-(10) Sweet Red (15/10) Summer

kenilworth Saturday Best Roving Banker: R8-(6)Merkaba(3/1)

greyville Sunday Best Roving Banker: R8-(3) Panza (10/1)

Friday 24 August Fairview - race 4 Sporting Post Best Handicapped Mahir WON 9/2 The R2 million Gr1 Summer Cup’s new sponsor Gbets will get their first major raceday exposure when the historic race is hosted at Turffontein on Saturday 1 December.

The questions around the logic and rationale of African provinces as well as regionally in the countries the strategy of welcoming an effective competitor of Lesotho, Tanzania and Mozambique. They offer the entity that offers the open bet were put to Tellytrack open bet on horseracing – an often sore point for the CEO and Sales & Marketing Executive for Phumelela, racing operators. Rob Scott by the SP Digest today. “I know a lot of people are under the impression In their own words, Gbets is one of South Africa that we sometimes blunder into things and don’t and Africa's premium sports betting companies. Its apply our minds, but that’s not true,” says the charis- core functions are to operate a viable and thriving matic 48yo Scott, a former retail executive who joined business, provide legitimate high quality entertain- Tellytrack as CEO six years ago after 21 years of long ment, and also serve as an agent for transforma- hours and tedious travel. A happily divorced father tion and upliftment of the local community. Gbets of three, he has family roots in horseracing and has currently holds Bookmaker Licences in 6 South owned horses for many years. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 2 summer fun Saturday racing

“What we do when assessing any sponsor relationship is to separate the betting aspect from the horseracing side of things. Just Like Starting Over It’s also a minimum requirement, in the case of a Bookmaker, Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes Turffontein that they are paying for the televised Tellytrack TV picture. Beyond that, we are only too happy to welcome a competitor, The Highveld Spring Season kicks off on Saturday with the as you call them, on board. The reality is that horseracing does running of the first graded stakes feature of the new racing not have sponsors queuing up to dish out cash. When it’s a win- season. With a few of the class contenders coming off a rest, the win situation with reciprocal synergy, as we have in this case, barrier draw and fitness may be key to solving the puzzle in the it’s only a pleasure to afford Gbets the high-profile billing of our R250 000 Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes. Carrying top weight in the 1200m Turf- biggest raceday,” he added. fontein Inside Track handicap, the class act To further give weight to his argument that having a Book- Talktothestars returns to action after a 22 making concern on board as a big-race sponsor made sense in week break and gets the bonus of a 1 draw terms of providing an alternate revenue stream, he said: “Look, where would I rather have Gbets spending their and powerful veteran Mark Khan. The 7yo marketing budget? Here with us on a big raceday or in the is probably past his brilliant best but would mainstream media and other platforms? That’s no question only need to rekindle his earlier fire to have Chimichuri Run | Gold Circle and they also have a diverse customer base who in turn will a shout. be exposed to the big race. And we are keen to give them and Mike de Kock has indicated that the highly regarded Redoute’s their customers a memorable experience.” Choice grey Mujallad has improved after a 12 week rest and gelding Scott said that the monopoly perception cast on the oper- and the Australian-bred 4yo could produce the goods back on ator of the tote was not correct and he and his management home turf. A winner of 3 of his thirteen starts, he was considered team fully grasped the concept that any opposition and rivalry Gr1 material early on and the Inglis Easter Sale graduate could was good for horseracing and for the consumer. prove some value. “Competition is good for the customer. It keeps us all on our The only 3yo in the field, Sean Tarry’s Gr3U mkhomazi Stakes win- toes. And let’s face it, today the consumer can’t be tied down ner Chimichuri Run is promising and progressive and put up sterling to a brand unless the all-round service is up to scratch. Mr X can third-placed finishes in both the AS Nursery and the Gr1 Gold Me- be sitting in a Betting World orHollywood outlet and using his dallion. From the 4 draw, he could prove his credentials and go very mobile to have a bet on his Gbets account – or vice versa. The close under S’manga Khumalo. acceptance that it is only service and value that is going to bring Clinton Binda throws the speedy Premier Show into deeper loyalty requires a mature and realistic approach to our market- waters after two fair thirds behind Isphan. He was regarded good ing and sales.” enough to make a bid for the Daisy Guineas down at Greyville last He said that with the departure of Sansui, who had spon- term and has place credentials. sored the Summer Cup for the first time in 2009, the time was The revitalised 7yo Splendid Garden is one of a trio bidding to ripe to reinvent the premier day as a desirable entertainment give the Azzie team a double in the race. The course and distance destination. winner seldom runs a bad race and he could threaten the more “Our goal is to build the Summer Cup raceday to the level of an fancied runners from his decent draw. event that will be desired by a range of sponsors. The Met down Grant Maroun’s speedy Great Britain mare Wrecking Ball is prob- at Kenilworth has shown that sponsors can enjoy benefitting from ably best at 1000m and could battle against the boys. the exposure of a major racing event, without necessarily being Second of the fairer sex duo, Mrs the headline brand on the day. And horseracing is still a strong Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes O is a very game daughter of Ora- past winners brand, besides the negativity prevailing. Life, business and mar- torio and bumps a solid field after 2016 an 11 week break. She gets the kets is about cycles. Believe me, the sun will shine tomorrow. And 1 Kangaroo Jack 61.0 ( 7) 1/1 the Gbets Gauteng Summer Cup is one of the few People’s Races 2 Angel's Power 53.5 ( 8) 14/1 blinkers fitted again and was only 3 Moofeed 58.0 ( 4) 14/1 where there is no age restriction. So the day really belongs to all, 2017 3,85 lengths off subsequent Gr1 1 Will Pays 60.5 ( 1) 7/1 star Redberry Lane in the Syringa big and small. We hope to see you all there!” he said. 2 Angel's Power 55.5 ( 7) 17/2 3 Sporting Monarch 52.0 ( 6) 16/1 Handicap. She showed pace when beaten 2 lengths by Dame Eleanor Golden Days last time ad her jockey Muzi Yeni The Summer Cup is almost as old as Johannesburg, which rode over 20 was founded in 1886. It dates back to the Witwatersrand START PA5/PICK SIX4/JACKPOT3 winners in 3:50PM Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes - 1200m the opening gold rush days of 1887, when it was called the Johannesburg Turffontein SAME TRAINER:(3-4)(5-10-12) Handicap. 7 month of the Overlord 1 Talktothestars(FC de Beer) M Khan...... 1 60.0 The first race meeting was held by the Johannesburg Turf Redoute's Choice 2 Mujallad(MF de Kock) R Simons...... 10 59.0 season. Right Approach 3 Finchatton(GG Terzi) C Zackey...... 14 58.0 The poorly Club in June 1887 on the farm Turffontein. Var 4 Tar Heel(GG Terzi) R Danielson...... 5 58.0 Within a year, Johannesburg had become the horse racing Miesque's Approval 5 Angel’s Power(MG & AA Azzie) P Strydom.12 56.5 drawn Trippi 6 CHIMICHURI RUN(SG Tarry) S Khumalo...... 4 56.0 centre of South Africa, as the Randlords became involved Argonaut 7 Clever Guy(S Moffatt) M v Rensburg...... 13 56.0 Finchatton Great Britain 8 Wrecking Ball(G Maroun) L J Ferraris...... 7 56.0 comes back and pumped money into the sport. Just As Well 9 Just As I Said(M Houdalakis) W Kennedy....11 55.5 Around the 1930s, the Johannesburg Handicap became Oratorio 10 Mrs O(MG & AA Azzie) M Yeni...... 9 55.0 after an 11 Mogok 11 Premier Show(C Binda) H vd Hoven...... 8 55.0 the Johannesburg Summer Handicap, which evolved into the Black Minnaloushe 12 Splendid Garden(MG & AA Azzie) K Zechner3. 55.0 week break Trippi 13 Chepardo(AG Laird) - reserve 1...... 6 52.5 and doesn’t Summer Cup, a highlight on the racing and social calendar. Mambo In Seattle 14 Lily Starlette(PF Matchett) - reserve 2...... 2 52.0 have the SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 3

Saturday racing News recent form to suggest he could take on and beat the better ones here. The son of Right Approach was beaten into sixth and just under 4 lengths behind Will Pays in the corresponding feature a A Golden Summer year ago. Mike de De Kock saddles this weekend’s cover star, Mujal- Clever Guy found his best form when showing speed and beat- lad, who runs in the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes on Saturday. ing Angel’s Power by over 3 lengths a long odds over the Turf- A nine-time winner of the Spring Season climax, the Gr1 fontein 1000m last time. He has to beat the wide draw and show Summer Cup, De Kock could make it a long overdue tenth that was no flash in the pan. winner in the big race on 1 December after Noble Secret’s Lucky Houdalakis 6yo Just As I Said has not won in ages and cracking victory in an Assessment Plate at Turffontein last could have a place chance at a stretch. The five-time winner’s Saturday. last five runs have not been the worst but he appears to have the De Kock’s last winner in the Summer Cup was the filly Flir- winning edge. tation, who, like Noble Secret, was ridden by Randall Simons The former Joey Ramsden speed merchant Tar Heel is the and also ran in the Livanos old gold and royal blue flag when second of the Terzi duo. The son of Var has his second run for his winning in 2010. new yard and but looks held on his form of last season. Prior to Saturday, Noble Secret last saw action with a third Third of the Azzie trio, Angel’s Power has run second in this race placed effort to Hero’s Honour in the Gr1 SA Derby and was in consecutive years and flew up late last year to be beaten only placed in all three legs of the SA Triple Crown last term. He a length by Will Pays. Piere Strydom is again in the saddle but the could have another run or two before the 1 December fea- son of Miesque’s Approval jumps from the widest draw and will ture. The race was won last year by another son of Dynasty in need to maintain his recent improved form. Liege It’s a tricky handicap and we are leaning towards Chimichuri At the big race media launch last week Rob Scott, Tellytrack Run and Mujallad to fight it out. Talktothestars is all class and he CEO and Sales & Marketing Executive for Phumelela, invited could be pegging them back late in the race as he runs well fresh. all Gautengers to the newly sponsored G-BETS Gauteng R2 million Summer Cup, which will take place at Turffontein on 1 December 2018. The Summer Cup is almost as old as Johannesburg itself with the inaugural event taking place in 1887, a year after the dusty mining camp that would become Johannesburg sprang to life on a farm called Turffontein, following the discovery of Humble Beginnings Can Pay gold on the Witwatersrand. On the face of it, Saturday’s Turffontein feature field may not strike the reader as dazzling or anything to get overly excited about. But it may be worth noting that our 2017/18 Equus Cham- pion Sprinter Will Pays won the Spring Spree Stakes last term and launched a season that was to end with him capturing the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and being crowned the king of speed. He also won the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes and ran third in the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes. Besides that memorable Mercury moment, he gave father-and-son training team Mike and Adam Azzie their first Gr1 success and put their forgettable Vodacom Durban July day well behind them, Will Pays also contributed in no small measure to Northfields Stud receiving the Outstanding Breeder accolade at Equus. Together with Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again, he is one of two Gr1 winners produced by Robin Bruss’ effi- cient breeding operation. Our champion sprinter is by a mile-and-a-half horse out of an Oaks winner, being a son of Imperial Stride (Indian Ridge) out of the top-class six time winner, Rattlebag (Jallad). In the past season Bruss’ Northfields had 12 runners and 7 winners, including the mentioned Equus Champion 3yo Do It Again, who besides the July also won the Gr2 Daisy Guineas and was second in the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby. Further afield, there was also Hong Kong-based Horse Of Fortune (Strongman), who was runner up in the Gr1 S$1 million Kranji Mile and Mighty Emperor, who registered his 7th win in Singapore. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 4 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 5 news

Public Protector Sets Date For Public Hearings On Horse Racing Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane has confirmed that the public hearings into the complaint of maladminis- tration of horse racing in Gauteng, first announced in May 2018, will now commence on Tuesday, 4 September 2018. The matter arises out of a complaint lodged by Ms Phindi Kema in January 2012 against the Gauteng Provincial Gov- ernment for corporatising the industry, establishing Phume- lela and exceeding its authority by allowing the transferring of 5 racetracks located outside of Gauteng into the owner- ship of the public company without following the appropri- ate procedure and public participation process. The complaint was lodged with then Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela who, in 2012, found there was a prima facie case of malparactice. It was subsequently investigated over the past six years, and her successor, Adv Mkhwebane has decided to finalise the last part of the investigation through a public hearing. The “Corporatisation” of racing came about at the -be hest of the Gauteng Provincial Government in 1997, which designed and oversaw a structure which has subsequently overseen a decline in the Sport and a reduction of 85,000 jobs with the sale of many tracks and losses in breeding farms and stables. It is also believed that the structure permitted the found- ing principles to be distorted and cause what many people think to be the capture of the industry by individuals such as Markus Jooste. The Public company Phumelela issued a cautionary an- nouncement to the JSE regarding a restructuring plan in a release dated 18 July 2018. The Public Protector's office is calling in key government de- partments including the DTI, Department of Sport and Gaut- eng Provincial Government to testify or make submissions. The National Horseracing Authority, as the sport’s regula- tory body, has been asked by the Public Protector to pro- vide contact details for those being called to testify which includes six current or former directors of Phumelela.

Still Speculating… Former Steinhoff CEO and leading SA owner and breeder Markus Jooste has negotiated a deal with the Parliament of South Africa after being summonsed to appear on Wednesday 29 August. In the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, an agreement was reached between Jooste, acting secretary to parliament Penelope Tyawa and finance committee chairman Yunus Carrim before act- ing justice Deidre Kusevitsky that questions by MPs will be strictly circumscribed. He will appear next Wednesday 5 September. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 6 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 7 news

Fortune Grand Heritage Grand Heritage Countdown After the sparkling victory by Mount Keith at Turffontein on Plans On Track Saturday, Vaal trainer Ashley Fortune pulled another possible Grand Vaal-based trainer Ashley Fortune took her next step to Heritage ace out of the hat when former Brett Crawford charge Tsit- having her first runner in the R750 000 World Sports Bet- sikamma Dance won an Assessment Plate at the Vaal on Tuesday. ting Grand Heritage – the event with the biggest field in The pair, together with the filly Rings And Things, are the Fortune South African racing – to be run over 1475m at the Vaal trio of entries amongst the 62 names for the R750 000 feature, South on Saturday 29 September, when the game 5yo Mount Africa’s biggest race with 28 runners to start at the 1475m on 29 Keith won at Turffontein on Saturday. September. Taking the step up to the 1450m as a means of testing It is an express condition of this race that the Operator reserves whether he was more than a solid sprinter, Mount Keith the right to determine the final field by way of invitation and to rallied strongly late in the third race, an MR 74 Handicap exclude any horse as its sole discretion. over 1450m, to hold off the challenge of Seventh Of June In order to be considered for inclusion in the final field, every horse to win by just under a half length in a time of 88,92 secs. nominated must have had at least a minimum of one run from time of The 7yo Front Rank stayed on for third cheque, a further first Entry up to and including the time of Final Supplementary Entry. 1,60 lengths off the runner-up. The base weights will be determined by the Handicapper prior to Piere Strydom rode Mount Keith, a son of the ill-fated consideration of additional weights for Graded and Listed races. Fencing Master (Oratorio), to his fourth win from 30 starts. Read more – see the weights here The former Glen Kotzen-trained gelding has won 50% of his six starts since relocating from the Cape. Strydom got the best out of Mount Keith, who did not appear to be stop- ping and should be good for the extra 25m of the Grand Drier And Veale Bounce Back Heritage! After being crowned KZN Trainer Of Ashley Fortune said that plans were still ‘fluid’ for her The Year on Friday evening, Sum- three Grand Heritage entries, with other options available. merveld veteran Dennis Drier found “We will wait and see what the handicapper feels about his team back on track with a wel- the merits of Mount Keith’s run. There is another 1200m come treble at Greyville on Sunday. on that day to consider for him. Tsitsikamma Dance, a After a rough patch that extended three-time winner, won his first start for me on Tuesday in from before the end of last season, the an Assessment Plate. He is a decent sort and is my most Drier yard will be glad to put that bad likely Grand Heritage starter. Rings ‘N Things will likely have phase behind them and the Sunday her first run for me on 4 September. As a filly, it may make three-timer was a major sign of a more sense to aim her for the black type option of the Gr2 return to better things for the powerful Joburg Spring F&M Challenge at Turffontein on 6 October yard. rather than the Grand Heritage. But all my trio are doing “I started thinking it was my fault. If Sean Veale guides Perfect Air to her hat-trick | Gold Circle well and we will let things develop,” said SA’s newest Lady I worked anywhere else, I would have Trainer, who has made a sparkling start to her career. been fired by now. But the boss is not like other trainers who blame To be considered for inclusion in the final Grand Herit- jockeys. He phoned me and had a long chat to me. He said only start age field, every horse nominated must have had at least a worrying when he does,” said the straightshooting Sean Veale, who minimum of one run from the time of first entry up to and was aboard two of the Drier winners. including the time of the final supplementary entry. While no specific details were given, it appears that the Drier Base weights are determined by the handicapper prior to string was labouring under a virus with indifferent performances consideration of additional weights for Graded and Listed in the past month. But the books look a lot healthier with the yard races. Additional penalties for highest Graded/Listed win in looking to end August with at least 4 winners. the last 18 months are: Grade 1 3kg, Grade 2 2kg, Grade 3 “It’s the owners that suffer. They have to keep paying while we go 1kg, Listed 0.5kg. through this. It’s not the first time and we are not the first yard to be Thereafter, where applicable, amended weights for runs hit. But let’s hope it’s over,” said Dennis Drier as he paid a compli- between first and final supplementary entries will be pub- ment to the organisers of the regional racing awards function held lished on a weekly basis until final weights are published. last Friday evening. “Who needs the Elangeni?” he said. There is no sex allowance and no apprentice allowance. Apprentice Luke Ferraris rode the first of the Drier winners – his Stakes are payable up to 15th position, provided 28 run- eighth of the season – when the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein ners + 2 reserve runners are declared, with the first prize bred Silvano first-timer Hard Core won the first on debut. being R406 250. A maximum field of 28 horses can run. Drier appeared relieved to have given Durban July owner Nic Jons- son a winner! Read More here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 8 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 9 news

On top of that, and almost a point on it’s own, the table crudely goes in calendar month steps for each crop and weights change This Is Going To Get The depending with a race is on the 31st or the 1st of a month. The table makes 30 days important, yet ignores birth dates where one Purists Spitting Mad! horse may be born 4 or 5 (or 6) months apart. The Case For NOT Assuming WFA In Ratings... Removing the WFA will make ratings more real because they would be based more on has happened and less on what might Rumour has it that some advanced thinking has gone into happen. Some people use a conceptualisation of a “gross” and getting rid of Weight For Age (WFA) from our handicapping “nett” rating to work with ratings on the fly and without having to system, writes Tony Mincione. look at the WFA table all the time. The gross rating is inflated with Opinions are not really encouraged in our game because we tend the improvement to come, and nett is what has really happened. to go for the man and not the ball afterwards. But I think it’s safe to So an easy example would be OH SUSANNA in the Met. (If we say there is a lot of unhappiness with our system. Some issues split can ignore the +6 which made her 121 later, then) the WFA in people right down the middle, you are either “for or against”. the Met for 3yo is 6kgs and the sex allowance is 2.5kgs, so 60 -6 Issues like abortion, the death penalty, and maybe WFA. -2.5 = 51.5kgs. So the gross 115 – 17 (the 8.5kgs) = nett 98. The WEIGHT FOR AGE, as created by the Admiral (Rous) about 150 argument goes then: why lumber our figures with a future 17 lbs years ago, is the “expected improvement” your expensive, shiny, improve which may or may not materialise? young thoroughbred ‘should’ make over time. I would probably add this final point. As in the example above, The idea of tampering with this will have the purists spitting like Never Trumper’s on CNN. I’m looking forward to my first ever we give females a generous sex allowance of 2.5kgs in WFA and hate-mails even though I think of myself as somewhat of a purist. some conditions races. There is NO sex allowance In handicaps. But there is definitely a case and I make it below: The reason is that if the filly needs the sex allowance in a handicap, Possibly the biggest argument against the WFA table is that it the rating shows in beaten lengths how good she is or isn’t. From is built on the premise that horses WILL in due course make the reality the rating doesn’t need to assume it, like it does WFA races. maturing development that is hard-wired into the rating system. Read more here Many people, perhaps even the majority, feel that most (!) horses do not make the expected weight-for-age improvement. They are also adamant that high early ratings haunt young horses who unable to keep up with the expected improvement built into those high ratings by the WFA table. Before 1995 race figures were derived from points earned for wins and was used as the basis to calculate weights in handicaps. Implicit was the fact that if you were winning, clearly you didn’t need an allowance, and if you were losing your points didn’t go up. We didn’t need WFA, it was built into “what you see is what you get today”. Merit ratings are a massive refinement on just giving arbitrary points, and there is no question that adjusting the points with collateral form was, and is, an earth shattering improvement. But, and however much you can see the much superior accu- racy, it still does not address the EXPECTED future improvement which remains the elephant in the room. As time goes on the Weight ForA ge allowance drops sharply. In the Met for eg, a 3yo would get 6kgs, a 4yo 0.5kgs. By the July, 6 months later, the 6kgs for 3yo’s becomes 2kgs, and by the follow- ing MET it’s 0,5 Kg. So the slope is much steeper in the beginning as 3yo’s and tapers to flat by 4 ½ yo and the discussion is mostly about 3yo’s vs 4yo’s in handicaps. It’s also worth remembering that this years 3yo’s are next years 4yo’s by which I mean if there was a bias for one group, everyone gets a turn. The handicappers are assessing every run so 99% of the time there is no need to use the presumption of future development and penalising horses before a race at the weights. If a horse is making the WFA development, the ratings will pick it up and those that don’t, ratings likewise will show that. Taking WFA out of the rating system does NOT eliminate WFA, which happens as a force of nature. It just forces horses to show what their individual development actually is rather than assum- ing that it will be made according to steps in an ancient table.

Missed recent results? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 10 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 11 international Japan RA Side Win Again There was no luck for Chad Schofield at the World All-Star York Victory Boost For Cape Mare Jockeys Challenge last weekend. The Ridgemont Highlands Team had plenty of good reason Christophe Lemaire pipped legendary Japanese jockey Yu- to cheer Stradivarius home in the Gr2 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup taka Take to the crown, with Mirco Demuro completing a top- at York on Friday when the son of Sea The Stars scooped the three finish for the Japan Racing Association side, who landed Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million. the team prize for a fourth consecutive year. Stradivarius’half-sister Magical Eve, a stakes-placed daughter of The French-born Lemaire, whose glittering honour roll Avontuur sire Oratorio, is expected to give birth to a Silvano foal includes the Melbourne Cup, 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, Japan in October and has a Jackson weanling at foot! Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic, was taking part in the two-day Sea The Stars has proved the sire of this week’s Ebor meeting challenge for the fifth time, in which Shane Foley, Joao Moreira at York, with his daughter Sea Of Class breezing to victory in the and Chad Schofield were among those who featured for the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday and son Stradivarius scooping the World All-Star team. Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million by taking the Lonsdale Cup Foley, out of luck in a Grade 3 and maiden race on the on Friday. undercards, finished joint sixth of 14 riders on his first time The favourite Stradivarius was ridden by Frankie Dettori and competing in the event following some small stints in Japan on trained by John Gosden. Owned by Bjorn Nielsen, the chestnut got a short-term licence. the upper hand in the final 200m to beat his old rival Count Octave. Richard Hughes, Johnny Murtagh and Ryan Moore are among Stradivarius, who won the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup and Good- jockeys to have landed the annual challenge in previous years. wood Cup to earn the Stayers’ Million in the first season it was US-based Rafael Bejarano fared best of the World All-Star offered – was bred by owner Bjorn Nielsen and is the seventh living team in fourth, but victory on Smart Elements sealed the top foal out of the Bering mare Private Life, a dual winner and List- prize for Lemaire, who also rode a winner on the first day. ed-placed over an extended 12 furlongs for the Wildenstein family. Lemaire said: “This is great – Sapporo is a wonderful course The dam was bought on Nielsen’s behalf as a nine-year-old at and I want to thank the racing fans for their support. I was Tattersalls in 2006 by Blandford Bloodstock for 70,000gns. really lucky to have been able to ride good horses this year.” He has also produced German Gr3 winner Persian Storm, South There was frustration for Take, who topped the standings African Listed-placed Magical Eve and Abu Dhabi Group 3 third going into the finale before finishing second for a third consecu- Rembrandt Van Rijn. tive year. Private Life is a half-sister to Listed winners Parisienne and Pret- ty Tough, with Parisienne featuring as granddam of Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist. Private Life died in 2015 without appear- ing to have left a filly foal for Nielsen to breed from and continue Hong Kong Enters New Era the line – the Oratorio mare Magical Eve now based at Highlands. That's Better, Baron! The Kieswetter family’s 2017 Sun Met champion Whisky Baron finished like the proverbial express train to chase Beat The Bank home in his first start for trainer William Haggas in the £125 000 Gr2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday. Andrew Balding, who saddled the winner was thrilled, but the cheers out at the Ridgemont Highlands headquarters at Robertson were even louder. Whisky Baron races in the interests of the Kieswet- The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Conghua Racecourse official- ter’s Barnane Stud. ly opened on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a new era Form jockey Oisin Murphy rode a confident race on Beat he Bank for the sport of horse racing in Hong Kong and for the ever – the jockey was registering his third consecutive Celebration Mile closer relations between Hong Kong and Guangdong. success, having been aboard Lightning Spear in 2016 and 2017. The Club celebrated this momentous occasion at an opening The now 6yo 2017 Sun Met winner, Australian-bred Whisky Baron, ceremony attended by more than 500 guests, including gov- under Dane O’Neill, was having his first jump for the William Haggas ernment officials from the Mainland and the Hong Kong SAR, team after a five month break following his Dubai campaign and was Club members and horsemen, as well as partners involved in beaten only a half length. the development of the project. And the top trainer’s pre-race comments probably added to the son Situated in the Conghua District of Guangzhou in Guang- of Manhattan Rain’s generous 20-1 starting price: dong Province, Conghua Racecourse is the first world-class Haggas said: “He won the Met at Cape Town, which is a very big racecourse and thoroughbred training centre in the Mainland. race, and then went to Dubai, where he ran a cracking race first time Operating as part of a dual-site model, Conghua Racecourse out and then probably suffered from the bounce factor next time. I’ve complements the existing training centre at Sha Tin. With its had him three or four months and he needs to get out. It’s a warm state-of-the-art stabling, training and horse-care facilities, it race though, and while he’s a nice horse he’ll need his first run.” will enable the Club to further develop the quality of its world- There were no immediate plans available as to where to next for the class racing. Read more Baron. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 12 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 13 international Randjes Rails 'Dangerous' Mike de Kock has slammed Phumelela’s lack of action with the steel rails at Randjesfontein in the wake of a serious accident involving Apprentice Mpume Mjoka. Mjoka was bady injured in a fall on the work track at Randjesfontein last Wednesday. He had to undergo two surgical procedures to repair damaged nerves in his knee. “Mpume is a positive young man, which will help with his recovery, but he’ll be out for a long time and it’s a blow to his career. He hurt himself falling on the steel rails at Randjesfontein. We’ve long asked for those rails to be replaced with plastic rails and nothing has been done. Will it take someone’s death to convince the authorities that Cartier – The Lion Roars we need plastic rails?” said de Kock on his website, www.mikede- Three-year-old colt Roaring Lion put himself into contention kockracing.com. for Cartier Horse Of The Year honours following his stunning Mjoka was diagnosed as having dislocated his knee but also having success in the extended 2000m Gr1 Juddmonte Internation- suffered a lot of nerve damage. He had to have two operations to al at York on August 22. correct the problem and at one stage there was a thought that the Other highlights at the four-day Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor injury could be career threatening. After the second operation, the Festival included Stradivarius collecting the WH Stayers' doctors were able to save his leg but he could be out for as long as Million, as he added the Gr2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale two years, if he rides again. Cup to his earlier victories this year in the G1 Gold Cup at Mpume represented South Africa at the prestigious Longines Royal Ascot and the Gr1 Qatar Goodwood Cup. Future Stars meeting at Chantilly in 2017, steering the Danny de Roaring Lion (126), owned by Qatar Racing Limited and Waele-trained Beaupreau to a 1.14 length victory. He is currently trained by John Gosden, landed the Gr1 Juddmonte Inter- in the fifth year of his apprenticeship and is based at the Gauteng national by three and a quarter-lengths from Poet's Word Jockey Academy. (140), which moves the son of Kitten's Joy up to third place in the standings for Cartier Horse Of The Year behind that rival, who previously landed Ascot's Gr1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Gr1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, and star three-year-old filly Alpha Centauri (144). Muntahaa For Melbourne Alpha Centauri, trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland for owner the Niarchos Family, has now won four Gr1 mile The blue and white silks of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid contests in succession. Her latest outing saw her take on Al Maktoum, seen often in the winner’s enclosure here in all-aged, all sex competition for the first time when she was South Africa, were to the fore when Muntahaa led a 1-2 the stunning winner of the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le- for the John Gosden stable in the £500 000 Gr1 York Ebor Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 12. She Handicap on Saturday. had previously landed the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, The victory by the Shadwell-bred son of Dansili in the hands Coronation Stakes and Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes. of Jim Crowley, took his trainer past £5m in prize money for The daughter of Mastercraftsman also holds a clear lead in the season, rounding off a terrific few days after Roaring the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly division, with dual French Lion’s win in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International before Gr1 heroine Laurens (88) currently in second place. One of Stradivarius landed the £1million bonus with victory in the the most impressive winners at York was Sea Of Class (64), Lonsdale Cup. who added the Gr1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks to her earlier The 11-1 shot, who gave his owner his first winner in the victory in the Gr1 Darley Irish Oaks. Ebor, finished ahead of stablemate and top-weight Week- Roaring Lion is out in front in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt ender (15/2) under jockey Frankie Dettori. Sea The Lion (9/1), division, having finished third behind Godolphin's Masar (68) ridden by Ronan Whelan, was third for Jarlath Fahey. in the Gr1 Investec Derby at Epsom Downs and won Sand- Stratum, who was backed down to start at 3-1, endured a dif- own Park's Gr1 Coral-Eclipse prior to his Juddmonte Inter- ficult passage up the far rail and finished well down the field. national victory. QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior Muntahaa could now be entered for the Melbourne Cup in (80), fourth in the Juddmonte International and runner-up at early November. Sandown Park, currently lies in second.

can be purchased here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 14 Short Heads Need To Know... JR’s Our lead editorial in last week’s SP Digest (2489) regarding a bizarre omission of a smart 2yo from the nominee list for the East Cape Back Admiral Awards, which will be held on Saturday evening, has elicited no Joey Ramsden celebrated his form of explanation from the powers-that-be to either the racing 50th birthday on Monday and Moves public or the aggrieved owners and breeders. It’s sad that stone- celebrated the milestone by David Southey of Southford walling and denial is a communication policy adopted by certain accepting with two runners Stud in the Karoo will be industry leaders – who have the industry to thank for their for Kenilworth on Saturday. standing Kitten’s Joy’s Gr1 livelihood. Shame on you. The old man’s yard has been winner Admiral Kitten this under a post vaccination season on transfer from cloud since he took the unu- Moutonshoek Stud. There sual step of scratching his run- was nominal support in Busy Man! ners at Kenilworth just over the Cape for him and his a week ago. He runs Made reduced R7500 service fee The covering season In Hollywood in a Conditions should prove attractive to a starts on Saturday and Plate and Fours A Crowd in a wider range of breeders. many breeders will Fillies Handicap on Saturday. be in the starting W hat blocks this week. What’s the maxi- A mum book of mares for our local men - 120 Boykie Piet Botha ladies? A stallion who The Belmont Derby A recent SP Personality of the Week, former many breeders and winner Catholic Boy jockey Piet Botha saddles his first runner at pedigree enthusiasts (More Than Ready) Kenilworth on Saturday. The maiden Head Of could be forgiven denied the Aidan The Pack runs in the well subscribed third race for not having heard of broke the O’Brien-trained and Grant Behr will do the riding honours record for number of mares covered Mendelssohn a first on the Gary Player Stud-bred son of in France this year. Cokoriko (Robin top-level victory Noordhoek Flyer. We wish Piet every Des Champs) was visited by 234 on dirt in a tactical success with his new venture. mares at Haras de Cercy, surpass- renewal of the Gr1 ing the previous high of 226 set by Runhappy Travers Rajsaman at Haras de la Cauviniere Stakes at Saratoga on – now Montfort et Preaux – in 2015. Saturday. Heritage Update Last year's busiest stallion in France The smart Avontuur-bred Oratorio galloper Mardi Gras, a win- was Dabirsim, with a book of 198. ner of 2 of his 6 starts, has been priced up ante-post favourite for the R750 000 Grand Heritage to be run at the Vaal on 29 September. South Africa’s biggest race – in pure field size – can host 28 runners. 58 have been entered.

Ridgemont Highlands four times Equus Outstanding Stallion Bad Boy’s Last Chance Dynasty (Fort Wood) Racing NSW stewards will give star celebrated another sprinter Chautauqua one last chance memorable weekend to turn around his barrier manners with Dynasty offspring Maine Chance Farms’ after hearing submissions from con- shining both at the outstanding sire Silvano nections of the gelding on Tuesday. KZN Racing Awards and on the racetrack. (Lomitas), South Africa’s Stewards had made a preliminary Dynasty’s champion son It’s My Turn, South Champion Sire for the decision on Monday to refuse any Africa’s Equus Champion Stayer for 2017- past two seasons, was further nominations for Chau- 2018, picked up his fourth and fifth awards represented by 4 winners tauqua to trial or race after once respectively for the past season when over the weekend – again failing to jump from the stalls he was crowned KZN Racing’s Champion including his 82nd stakes satisfactorily in a trial at Rosehill on Stayer and Champion Older Male on Friday winner, courtesy of Saturday. He has earned a reprieve, evening. Dynasty was also the sire of three Konkola’s success in the with stewards deciding to give a very impressive local winners. Listed Jockey Club Stakes thoroughbred behaviourist a month at Fairview. to work his magic on the gelding. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 15 black type results Digest Diary

there was no pace at all early on and the Fairview (turf) race developed into a sprint over the final Friday, 24 August 500m. Result and ratings are best treated Features To Come Course Variant: 1.63s slow with caution for that reason. We gave the Sat 1 Sept Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes 22mm of rain fell on the track in the seven days fifth 83, which makes the winner (prev 1200m Turffontein (I) leading up to this meeting. With the penetrometer 75/78/83/83/88) 92, the runner-up (prev reading 25 the going was posted as good to soft. There was a 22km/h easterly tail wind, and the rail 73/71/81/72/77) 87 and the third (prev Sat 29 Sept Settlers Trophy L( ) was at zero (no false rail) with a 2m spur at the 77/74/92//90/92) 88 2400m Durbanville 800m mark. 92 1 0.00 Konkola (1) 59.0 R Fourie 113/20 5 b m Silvano - Mkushi Gold (Western Winter) 87 2 2.75 Esteemal (15) 58.0 C Zackey 22/1 4 b f Captain Al - Esprit (Fort Wood) Jockey Club S.(F&M)(L) R150,000 88 3 3.50 Fresnaye (10) 59.0 B Fayd’herbe 14/10 4 b f Western Winter - Gulf Breeze(GB) (Dubai Destination) 86 4 4.50 Raven Girl (8) 59.0 C Maujean 28/1 83 5 5.00 Peach Delight (12) 59.0 W Kennedy 55/1 Black Type! 81 6 6.00 Tiffindell (3) 59.0 R Khathi 36/1 It was mission accomplished and black type 78 7 7.25 Patchit Up Baby (13) 59.0 M Yeni 14/1 77 8 9.00 Widow’s Lamp (14) 59.0 R Munger 16/1 on the board for the Justin Snaith-trained Silvano 73 9 10.25 Smokey Affair (11) 59.0 L Mxothwa 15/1 72 10 10.75 Christmas Carol (2) 59.0 X Ndlovu 66/1 mare Konkola when she stormed to victory in the 68 11 13.00 Lucky Lulu (6) 59.0 S Fortune 22/1 R150 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes at Fairview 66 12 14.00 So Enchanting (4) 59.0 T Gould 66/1 66 13 14.75 Beataboutthebush (7) 60.0 A Domeyer 5/1 on Friday. 58 14 18.00 Gitango Tonight (9) 58.0 K Zechner 66/1 How horses performed in South Africa’s The newly crowned SA Champion, Justin 60 15 18.10 Queen Forever (5) 59.0 M Byleveld 22/1 Time: 125.62s (62.81s avg/1000m, or 57km/h) SP Total %: 118% black type races, expressed in points based Snaith ran first and second, with the Cape raiders 1st T:J Snaith O:Evanstan Investments (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr R D rounding off the trifecta with Joey Ramsden’s Hamilton) & Mr N Jonsson B:Daytona Stud on the kind of races and how far behind Fresnaye running third. the winner they finished. This was the first stakes feature of the new SA A full explanation of the point system and racing season. the complete list of point earners is on the “She’s already on the float to stud. That was Filly Scoops NZ Sporting Post website. very satisfying that we could get the paddock- boosting credit in the book for the owners. She’s a lovely well-bred mare and we look forward to Honours Again Top Scorers for 2017/2018 (complete season to 31 July 2018) following her,” said Snaith Racing spokesman Karaka graduate Bonneval (Mafki) Jono Snaith after the Daytona bred galloper had horse age sex points races became the fifth successive horse of Legal Eagle 6 c 284 4 mowed down her opposition for an easy victory in the hands of the rampant Richard Fourie. the year winner trained by Murray Snowdance 3 f 264 6 The official margin was 2,75 lengths and the Baker and Andrew Forsman when she Oh Susanna 3 f 242 4 winner clocked 125,62 secs for the 2000m. was crowned Horse Of The Year for Captain America 7 c 226 5 Coral Fever 5 c 194 4 Year younger stablemate Esteemal ran a the second successive time at Sunday’s smart race to maintain her consistent form with Will Pays 6 c 190 5 a second cheque. She will transfer to Tara Laing New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of Do It Again 3 c 176 5 for the rest of the season and should pay to the Year Awards in Auckland. Attenborough 4 c 168 3 follow. The record-breaking training partner- Nother Russia 5 f 154 4 The 14-10 favourite Fresnaye plodded into ship prepared the 2014 winner Dun- Undercover Agent 3 c 154 3 third. deel, who was followed by Mongolian Eyes Wide Open 3 c 150 3 Local consistent soldier Beataboutthebush Tap O' Noth 3 c 124 3 ran a rare poor race and finished close on 15 Khan (2015 & 2016) and now Bonneval. Surcharge 3 c 110 3 lengths downfield. The award was introduced in 1971 Takingthepeace 3 f 100 2 A R400 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, and Bonneval is the eighth horse to Liege 5 c 100 1 the winner was bred by Daytona Stud and is by have earned the title more than once. Sergeant Hardy 4 c 100 1 super-sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time Sommerlied 4 f 95 2 winner, Mkushi Gold (Western Winter). Other multiple winners have been Sail South 7 c 86 2 She is a full-sister to recent Gr2 Gold Bracelet Sunline (4), Show Gate, Rough Habit, Soqrat 2 c 84 2 victress Miyabi Gold and a half to the well- Xcellent, Seachange, Mufhasa and Fiorella 3 f 80 3 performed Consolation July winner, Ultimate Mongolian Khan. Read more here Marinaresco 5 c 78 2 Dollar. The family all raced in the pink, green and Wonderwall 3 c 76 3 white Jonsson silks. Let It Rain 5 c 75 2 Jockey Club Stakes (F&M) (L) 2000m It's My Turn 5 c 75 3 Winner Konkola raced 7th; led 100m; won Trip To Heaven 6 c 75 2 going away Phumelela Shareprice Hero's Honour 3 c 70 1 Runner-up Esteemal set the pace; kept on date close high low volume Lobo's Legend 3 c 70 1 strongly, but no chance with winner 28Aug 1325 1375 1325 11 Redberry Lane 4 f 70 1 Third Fresnaye raced 6th; level with winner 27Aug 1325 1325 1325 1,219 Van Halen 2 c 70 1 entering home straight; ran on - jockey 24Aug 1350 1351 1350 19,326 Mighty High 2 f 70 1 reported something amiss with Fresnaye 23Aug 1375 1375 1375 0 Last Winter 4 c 70 2 in running, and the vet reported post-race 22Aug 1375 1375 1370 44,774 Return Flight 2 f 70 1 distress syndrome for this filly Made To Conquer 4 c 62 2 Time: Although this was marginally the 21Aug 1390 1390 1360 1,080 fastest of the three races over 2000m, SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 16 breeding

His lucrative migration to the East coast called now for the Predictably Predictable young man to go West, where sadly a nasty collision put paid to a tilt at the time-honoured Cape Derby, and almost his career. Only an act of ambitious clairvoyance could have divined a return bout between what looked like the emergence of a racing totem and the Derby hero, It’s My Turn, but few remembered what Rabada was made of. That irresistible combination of grunt and grit took him to with- in a half-length of the laurels in the KZN Guineas, and voila! - the Derby winner became his next Gr1 victim in the Daily News. It was all so predictable: ever since Imperial Despatch had served as the flagship in the R2 million epic, the same tide had borne a positive armada of top performers in the race from the same farm. In the process, Rabada would become the only colt of his generation to win Gr1’s at two and three, claiming two of South African racing’s monuments. His reputation was intact. His record read 10 starts, 5 victories and 3 seconds. The other two were claimed by injury, the last one a terminator. A multimillion- aire with R2.6 million in the locker, he’d banked ten times his cost at an average of R265 000 a start. Some racehorse. A young Rabada with his Mum Jordie Yet in so many ways, it was also predictable. The best South African-performed stallions and some of the country’s greatest Multiple SA Champion breeders Summerhill have announced racehorses, Jet Master, Dynasty, Captain Al and Foveros, all had that their dual Gr1 star Rabada will return to the place of his rather plebeian female origins; it was the ‘mongrel’ in them that birth this season to stand as a stallion. made them the heroes of their era; it was the grunt and the grit that hallmarked their progeny. Another chapter in one of the great success stories of South African breeding is set to be written. This week, it was announced that Rabada was returning to his original home to perpetuate the farm’s record in championing the “While I have to admit to some personal sentimentality, it’s cause of the Northern Dancer story. Irresistibly, they’re asking if every stud man’s ambition to stand a horse of his own breeding. it’s not all too predictable? The end of 2018 will mark forty years of our existence at Summer- hill; in that time, we’ve bred a number of top class performers as “I don’t know anything about predictions, I’ll leave that to the you know, yet I have to say that in Rabada, we’ve at last reached prophets” said stallion barn boss, Richard Hlongwane. “What I the point of standing a horse that embodies just about everything know is that I’ve worked with several Champion stallions in my we as breeders have been trying to produce for the past three twenty eight years at Summerhill, and I’ve seen Sadler’s Wells, hundred years. Apart from being an outstanding racehorse, he is Danehill and Galileo, Sunday Silence and Deep Impact during the embodiment of physical perfection, and moves as well as any my stints at Coolmore in Ireland and more recently at Sheikh horse I’ve had the privilege to behold,” said Mick Goss. Mohammed’s Darley in Japan. I can honestly say Rabada was a standout from the day he was born; he ranks alongside the best It’s 53 years since the nation’s favourite son, Sea Cottage sur- of them for his physique, his power and his presence, and like all vived the assassin’s bullet in the shadows of Durban’s Ellis Brown of them, he could walk for England (or Ireland or Japan!)”. viaduct. Now that’s predictability! And a lot of the ‘Duzi’s’ water has passed under the portals of that edifice since the Summerhill upstarts, Imperial Despatch and Bianconi levelled their patrician counterparts in the season-defin- ing Champion Juvenile. Yet it ranked, and it rankled even more, as the biggest piece of What Mike Azzie Said “An absolute joy to train, he was my pick for the July local racing affrontery when the aptly-named Rabada claimed the ahead of Abashiri; I just wish we’d been able to run him 2016 crop’s highest rating in the same event with his thunder bolt there. He had brilliant two year old speed and the class to against the cream of the nation’s bluebloods. On the floor that carry it over 2000 metres. Remember, he won the Daily day were the subsequent Equus champion and Triple Crown lau- News without the stick, which tells you that besides his nat- reate, Abashiri, and the regally related dual Group One performer, ural talent, he was as genuine as the day was blue. Despite Prospect Strike. the problems I had with his feet, he was as good a horse as Yet it was all quite predictable: their hero had entered the fray I’ve had the privilege to train. Imagine how good he’d have off an unbeaten pair of opening rounds and a knockout race been if we’d not battled with his feet?”. record in the Listed Gatecrasher.

can be purchased here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 17

Personality

with breeding. I love the horses and enjoyed being involved in their prep and work. I never just came to ride the work. Winning is a team effort managed by the trainer and includes the yard staff and erennially the jockeys.” Puller’s first runner on 1 August 2012 was also his first winner. Her name was Foreign Gal, and she was owned by his good friend rofessional and loyal owner Richard Fitzgerald and ridden by Anton Marcus. As to the engagement of his own jockeys now, Garth says that it is necessary to find a balance between the best man for the job, Garth Puller versus rewarding the loyal guys that ride the work. uller “I know what it feels like to ride work and not be given a ride. And I couldn’t do my job now as a trainer without jockeys and ap- P prentices riding work. So I am very aware of who rides what when I He was SA champion jockey in the 1978/79 season and rode the winners of every top race in the country in an illustrious ca- do my declarations. Sometimes an owner will ask why Anton Mar- reer in the saddle. The current pacesetter on the KZN Trainer’s cus, as an example, isn’t riding – but let’s accept that very often a Log, Garth Puller was a richly deserving recipient of the Anita horse may need more ground or just not be ready to run a big race. Akal trophy at the KZN Racing Awards function on Friday. Some horses take longer than others to find their feet. A top jockey His name is inscribed alongside the likes of Felix Coetzee, Chris can pick and choose his rides. I do try and look after the guys who Saunders, Roy and Gladys Meaker and Des Scott on the beautiful ride my work though – it’s a two way street and it’s only fair.” floating trophy. The Hollywood-sponsored Garth explained the satisfaction he With 52 years of horseracing hard yards under the belt, much of had felt when he had achieved a recent first for an owner early in it at the top level, Garth was genuinely humbled and visibly taken August, and where the right jockey had put the finishing touches to aback when his name was announced by Graeme Hawkins at the the plan come together. Greyville Convention Centre. “Yaseen Ebrahim had never had a debut winner or a double. He “It’s an absolute honour to be included amongst some of the was prepared to give us all the time in the world and we went all legends on the trophy. It is a really lovely gesture in a world where out. We travelled to Scottsville and galloped them. But these great sentimentality, tradition and recognition don’t always take a front plans can often leave a trainer with egg on the face. That’s why row seat,” said the veteran horseman, who turns 67 on Monday. I knew I needed the experience and skill of Anton Marcus to put One of the most fascinating and illuminating personalities to the finishing touches on an inexperienced horse. That can be the speak to, Garth trains out of Summerveld these days and has built difference between winning and second.” his string from just one horse to seventy in double quick time. As to training horses versus being a jockey – Garth is emphatic. He rates Summerveld, but his heart is still at Clairwood. “Training horses is 5000% more difficult than being a jockey. And “Summerveld is world-class. But I’m that’s coming from me as a rider who had from the coast and I will always miss to watch the scale and waste. And I am not Clairwood. Summerveld lends itself to playing down the role fulfilled by the jockey trainers hosting their owners and is a in a dangerous job. But a jock basically relaxed picturesque environment that needs talent, fitness and a good work ethic. projects a good image for visitors. Like As a trainer I could have all of those and any training centre anywhere, we have I may still be in a position where I would our issues and problems with some of never train a winner.” the tracks. But no complaints,” he told He went on to list aspects like labour, the Sporting Post. injuries to the horses, talking to the bank Garth was somehow destined to make manager, managing cash flow, the transition to training racehorses and breeders, sales preparation, was a jockey who was directly involved in owner communication – ‘in no breeding and stable management long particular order.’ before he rode his final winner at his “I get to Summerveld before 4 am in very last race meeting on 27 December the morning and leave after 18h30 in 2005 – the same year that the then 54 the evenings. I am busy all day with the year old steered Alastor to victory in horses, staff, administration and customer the Met for Sean Tarry. communication. Naturally I wouldn’t be The man who had his first Met committed if I didn’t love what I do, and I ride in 1970 as a 19yo apprentice believe hard work pays dividends no mat- on a horse called Sun Tracker for Jackie ter what kind of work one does.” Bell, was to stand the winner of that That work ethic certainly shows in the very Met - Snow Fun - as a stallion at the Garth Puller Racing team statistics. He is first farm he owned next to the world currently leading the KZN Trainers log with famous Broadlands Stud at the foot of 7 winners up to 26 August with R540 000 Sir Lowry’s Pass. in stakes earned. “I was always involved at the yards and “I have been in this game for 52 years. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 18 garth puller

Thankfully, I have learnt a lot of things in that time. One of the prime lessons is never brag, rest on your laurels or believe that the wheel won’t turn. And I am not a cynic – just a realist. This game keeps us humble. A Come Racing With A Champion good month in August is a great start to the season. But it’s no guarantee Garth has a range of 2yo’s and 3yo’s unraced and in as to what happens in September or beyond. We will just keep the shoul- training and invites any interested parties to contact him. der to the wheel and keep doing the basics correctly.” Garth, who rode 7 winners from 9 rides at Kenilworth on 27 September “I am keen to get existing and new owners involved 1980, doesn’t ride work anymore but keeps fit doing ‘more walking than and have a range of horses with a package to suit most driving’ between the stables and the track. While the hair is greyer today pockets. I’d be happy to talk to anybody interested in than it was in his heyday, he has been a teetotaller all his life and has getting involved. KZN is a good place to race.” remained fit on the racetrack and in the boxing ring. Garth’s contact is : [email protected] Will he be travelling to Cape Town for the summer? “My brother Glen is back and doing well and I can always get his assis- tance if I need to raid in the season. I don’t want to travel horses for the sake of it though.” And what are the answers to solve the woes of our racing? KZN Racing “I don’t think there are any quick fixes. Unity would be a great starting point. We have heard about the export protocols being sorted out. Hope- Awards fully we will see something tangible on that front soon. The handicapping system also needs to be sorted out. Where are the days where we had 19 time winners – that’s what Joe Public will come racing for – to see the Snaith’s Do It Again stars. Now we have one and two-time winners contesting the July. The With the classy live entertainment getting a major nod handicappers pen can also scribble a young horse out of earning potential of approval from an enthusiastic audience, KZN racing for 18 months. Owners are just expected to suffer and pay. It’s not right. honoured their star achievers at a black-tie event held at We need to sort these basic issues out urgently.” the Greyville Convention Centre on Friday evening. Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again (Twice Over) was crowned Horse Of The Year, with It’s My Turn (Dynas- ty), Sommerlied (Var) and Fiorella (Captain Al) all earning dual awards after top-class seasons. Anita – Capturing The Moment The winners: While the gallop may have slowed to a fast canter these days, racecourse photographer Anita Akal who presents the award in her 2yo Filly Older Filly name for service and loyalty to horseracing, remains one of the Inverroche Sommerlied most popular personalities in the KZN racing community after 46 2yo Colt Middle Distance years of capturing the on-course action. Cue the Music Fiorella Having, barring illness and injury, covered almost every race at 3yo Filly Stayer Greyville, Clairwood and at Scottsville for 46 years, Anita is the lady Fiorella It’s My Turn with the big smile who has a minute to greet everybody from the 3yo Colt Horse Of The Year security guard to the Chairman of the board. Monks Hood Do It Again She began taking racing photographs for friends after relocating to Durban from Johannesburg. That was back in the days of black-and- Sprinter Groom Of The Year white photography. Sommerlied Isaac Mwalese She recalls the racing authorities asking her to take colour photo- Older Male Owner Of The Year graphs for them, and she remembers saying that she would “give it It’s My Turn Mario Ferreira a go”. Jockey Of The Year Her photographs are on display at all the race courses – and in Anton Marcus some of the hospitality suites at Greyville – and some 40 items of her work grace the walls of the Oyster Box Hotel’s special Durban Apprentice Of The Year July function room. Ashton Arries Akal’s husband, Ronald, owned horses with partners for decades, Breeder Of The Year and she recalls him having a runner, Versailles, in the 1976 Durban Summerhill July. Trainer Of The Year “It was a real outsider and the trainer did not even want him to Dennis Drier take part. When Versailles suddenly flew past me in second position, KZN Personality Of The Year I was so excited, I dropped my camera and did not get the shot,” she Phillip Fourie grinned. Over the decades, Anita has seen all the big names – the trainers, Ride Of The Season the owners and the horses – and was the official photographer Lyle Hewitson (Redberry Lane – Garden Province S.) when Queen Elizabeth II visited Greyville. Anita Akal Award Garth Puller SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 19 breeding

thus the horse closest to the heart of the Ruler of Dubai. Exciting Erupt Arrives It started with Dubai Millennium’s demolishing win of the Dubai World Cup and his premature death, leaving only a single At Maine Chance Gr1 winner – namely Dubawi. When Dubawi retired to stud, he was not fancied much and started off with a stud fee of around One of the highest-rated race horses at stud in South Africa, £15,000. and the first and only multiple Gr1 winning son of Dubawi to In his career as a stallion, Dubawi produced 50 group winners at stand here, arrives to take up duties at Maine Chance today. the fastest rate a stallion has ever done. He is now sire of 35 Gr1 Bred and raced by winners, more than 80 Group winners, more than 76% winners one of the most suc- to runners, 15% stakes winners to runners, 10% group winners to cessful owner-breeders runners and has an AEI of 5,04. He is currently the Leading Turf in the world, the Niar- Sire in Europe in 2018 by Worldwide earnings. chos family, Erupt won Asked about Erupt’s future brothers and sisters, Alan Cooper two Gr1 races in Europe comments: “Today, Mare Nostrum is living at Coolmore, Ireland, and North America at the most professional breeding operation in the world. She has ages three and four, a two-year old colt in training in Ireland, by Camelot, who we with a time-form rating expect to become a top young stallion in Europe. We kept him of 121. because we believe in him. He is in training with Francis Graffure. He won his races on good ground, showing excellent speed – Mare Nostrum is in foal to Frankel, the stallion that probably making him very attractive for the South African market. He was follows Galileo and Dubawi in world class.” tough, as he travelled the world and raced in France, the UK, the Alan Cooper describes Erupt’s temperament as such: “ I US, Canada and Japan. remember watching him in the Paddock at our stud Fresnay Le Erupt’s main attraction is his pedigree. Bouffard on a very hot day, he was super cool and relaxed, not He stems from the world’s leading and most versatile stallion bothered by the heat and the flies. It was always easy to handle Dubawi, out of a top class Group winning, and multiple Gr1 per- him. He has an excellent temperament.” forming, race mare Mare Nostrum. Francis Graffard, Erupt’s trainer, added: A“ s a son of Dubawi he Mare Nostrum is a daughter of the deceased, former has the attitude that make a trainer’s life easier. He was abso- world-leading broodmare sire Caerleon, a group winner at age lutely at his best on fast ground, delivering a formidable accelera- two over 1200m, showing plenty of speed. He was also an Irish tion. He and his offspring should suit South African breeding and Derby winner at age three. racing.” Caerleon was Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire by About Erupt’s physics, Alan Cooper said: “He has a very nice Nijinsky, the sire line of our multiple Champion Sire, Silvano. head – the best combination of Dubawi and Caerleon, he toes out Caerleon’s second broodmare sire, Spectacular Bid, won seven a little like Dubawi, he has good strength and great quarters. I rec- races at age two, including two Group 1 races, and ten races at ommend sending him a medium-sized mare with a bit of length, age three, including six Group 1 races. best would be a miler. He has been a top 2000m horse, from a Erupt hails from one of the world’s great Champion Sire produc- family with plenty of top milers in the pedigree.” ing families. The pedigree guru Bill Oppenheim has been helping the Niar- His mother and grandmother fill more than a page of top horses! chos family with matings for about 20 years. Pedigree experts suggest that a prospective top stallion tick four About Erupt’s racing, he commented: “Erupt had a very good boxes: turn of foot. He finished his Gr1 races by increasing margins and Group 1 winning stallions that showed toughness and brilliance impressive sectional timings. It is important to realise that 2000 The dam-line must boast solid black-type horses and good stats to 2400m is the greatest test of speed, soundness and stamina a on winners to runners horse can have – often finishing at faster speeds over the last few Group 1 winners under the first four generations furlongs than a sprinter.I was hugely impressed when he was a A family of proven sires close 5th in the Arc as a 3-year-old, since the four in front of him Erupt comes from the family of Flying Spur (Australia), Encos- were Golden Horn, Flintshire, New Bay, and Treve. Sixth was Free ta De Lago(Australia), Holy Roman Emperor (Europe) and Lode Eagle. That was world class!” (Argentina). Alan Cooper added: “I love his style of racing. He showed true This family is from the great foundation mare Fanfreluche. class to come from off the pace and win. Look at his sectional Asked about the mating of Dubawi and Mare Nostrum,A lan timing in his Group 1 wins in Paris.” Cooper, Manager of the Niarchos horse empire remembers: “We Trainer Francis Graffard is quoted: “Erupt was, for me, the horse sent Mare Nostrum to Dubawi to combine Mr. Prospector blood of a lifetime. His will to win and courage, coupled with a devastat- with Nijinsky. Erupt’s older sister, Marie de Medici, was by the Mr. ing turn of foot, are qualities that all breeders should be looking Prospector sire line stallion, Medicean. So we went strong on this to inject into their stock.” by choosing the best in Dubawi.“ Enquiries – Tim Bootsma – click below: Dubawi’s sire is the great Dubai Millenium, the greatest race horse that the empire of Sheikh Mohammed ever owned, and Visit www.mainechance.co.za SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 20 breeding

One of the world’s most popular race Arc Winner meetings took place at the Knavesmire While Sea The Stars is well established last week, when the historic Ebor as a high class classic sire, it is rare for meeting was held over four days. The the six time Gr1 winner to outshine his meeting once again saw a number of fellow Derby winning half-brother Galileo outstanding equine performances, with (regarded by many as the world’s premier a couple of stallions coming to the fore. Triple G1 winner Dubawi is in the mid- stallion). Nonetheless, Sea The Stars did dle of enjoying yet another outstanding just that at the 2018 Ebor meeting. season and the son of Dubai Millennium With Galileo failing to produce any was at it again. major winners in the four day meeting, it Responsible for Saturday’s US Gr2 winner Quidura, Dubawi was left to fellow Urban Sea son Sea The Stars to maintain family - whose 20 odd black type winners this year include Gr1 scorers honour, and he did just that. Benbatl, North America and Wild Illusion - was the sire of arguably Winner of the Juddmonte International back in 2009, Sea The the most impressive winner when his regally bred daughter Lah Stars enjoyed double group success at the Ebor meeting this Ti Dar romped to a ten length win in the Listed British EBF and Sir year, with daughter Sea Of Class capturing the Gr1 Darley York- Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes on Thursday. Her paternal half-brother shire Oaks and son Stradivarius (whose half-sister Magical Eve Old Persian - who is from the same family as Cape sire Judpot - add- currently resides at Highlands Stud), banking a £1 million bonus ed further gloss to Dubawi’s record when he won the Gr2 Great in the process, confirming himself Britain’s top stayer when win- Voltigeur Stakes on Wednesday, while Dubawi 3yo gelding Ghost- ning Friday’s Gr2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes. watch gave his sire more York success when he won Saturday’s Sky Between them, Stradivarius (Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup) and Bet Melrose Handicap. Sea Of Class(Irish, Yorkshire Oaks) have captured four Gr1 races Both Old Persian and Lah Ti Dar - a full sister to Gr3 Musidora this year, with the impressive Sea Of Class (a half-sister to 3 con- Stakes winner So Mi Dar and 2019 classic hope Too Darn Hot - are secutive Italian Oaks winners) now a winner of four of just five out of daughters of Singspiel – also damsire of Dubawi sired Gr1 starts . She has been installed as favourite for the Arc – a race winners Left Hand (Prix Vermeille) and Wuheida (Prix Marcel Bous- won so impressively by Sea The Stars in 2009. sac, Breeders’ Cup Filly& Mare Turf). Another by Sea The Stars, Sea The Lion, finished third in Another daughter of Dubawi, Coronet, was second in the Gr1 Saturday’s Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, while his sire, Cape Cross, is Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday, while Dubawi’s deceased Gr1 broodmare sire of the Gimcrack winner Emaraaty Ana. Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Poet’s Voice was responsible for Danzig Domination Gr1 Juddmonte International runner up Poet’s Word, Friday’s York When outsider Alpha Delphini (Captain Gerrard) took the spoils winning 2yo Commanding Officer as well as Poet’s Society, winner in Friday’s Gr1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the veteran seven- of the Clipper Logistics Handicap on Thursday. year-old continued the success that Danzig and his descendants Another by Dubawi, Makfi, was responsible for Wednesday’s Gr3 have enjoyed in this five furlong sprint. Since 1990, the Nunthorpe Acomb Stakes third Persian Moon – and also produced dual NZ has been won by a Danzig line horse six times, with Danzig respon- Horse Of The Year Bonneval, this past Sunday evening. sible for 1990 winner Dayjur - one of the finest sprinters ever seen Dubawi will be represented by a pair of Gr1 winning sons in the on the British turf. South African stallion band this season, with former SA Nursery The success that this increasingly powerful male line has en- champ Willow Magic joined by dual Gr1 winner Erupt. joyed in the Nunthorpe cannot compare, however, to the Danzig Shamardal domination of another top British sprint, the Gr1 July Cup. French Derby winning sire and son Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) Descendants of Danzig have won the July Cup on 14 occasions - and Lope De Vega both enjoyed group success with 2yos at York this including this year when War Front son U S Navy Flag prevailed. week. For a second time in three years, a Shamardal colt took the Alpha Delphini (inbred to the unbeaten Danzig) is the only Gr1 Gimcrack Stakes, with Emaraaty Ana joining paternal half-broth- winner sired by Gr3 Palace House Stakes hero Captain Gerrard er Blue Point (2016) by scoring a half length win in the Al Basti - whose fee was most recently said to be £2500) - a son of Dan- Equiworld sponsored contest. His paternal half-brother and fellow zig’s outstanding grandson Oasis Dream. The latter, winner of Gimcrack winner Blue Point added further gloss to Shamardal’s York the 2003 Nunthorpe Stakes, left his own mark on the race with record when finishing third in the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes. his short lived daughter Jwala scoring a surprise win in the 2013 Shamardal son Lope De Vega, whose other 2yos this season Nunthorpe Stakes. Oasis Dream coincidentally was one of two include Saturday’s Gr3 Prestige Stakes winner Antonia De Vega, and Nunthorpe Stakes winners sired by Green Desert, who was also the TDN Rising Stars Lone Peak and Newspaperofrecord, added sire of 1991 winner Sheikh Albadou. further to his growing reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting Oasis Dream, also sire of Gimcrack third Shine So Bright and sires when his son Phoenix Of Spain won Wednesday’s Gr3 Acomb broodmare sire of Thursday’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes Stakes – a race won previously by classic winners King’s Best (2000 winner Red Balloon, has enjoyed a resurgence as a sire this year, Guineas) and Rule Of Law (St Leger), as well as the exceptional with his 2018 runners including the Gr1 winning fillies Polydream broodmare Height Of Fashion. and Pretty Pollyanna. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 21 breeding Rematch On Cards Vaughan Marshall’s impressive Kuda Sprint debut winner Agent Of Fortune and narrow SA Nursery runner-up Cirillo hold the joint top position on the latest log for the R2,5 million CTS Ready To Run Stakes to be contested over 1400m at Kenilworth on 24 November. The top duo fought out the finish of the R350 000 Kuda Sprint on Sun Met Day and their possible return clash in the Cape Summer could be a highlight of the restricted sales race. A son of What A Winter, Agent Of Fortune was bred by Dr Ve- ronique Kritzinger and originally sold for R240 000 on the 2017 CTS March Yearling Sale. Described by his champion trainer Sean Tarry as a classic type, Ciril- July Sire’s Family In News lo is a son of Pomodoro and has won twice in eight starts – including Four-time Gr1 winning Klawervlei sire Twice Over’s multiple stakes placings. female line was in the news at Tuesday’s session of the He has won over 1400m and thus could hold the edge in terms of 2018 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster. experience for the 1400m clash on Cape Merchants day at Kenil- worth. Offered by Klawervlei (as agent), he was bought by Chris van An Oasis Dream colt, catalogued as Lot 175, was Niekerk for R60 000 on the same sale. knocked down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for £150 000, View the latest log standings here making him the joint fourth top lot sold at the Premier Sale. The colt’s 4-year-old brother Silent Echo was trained initially, like his dam, by Roger Charlton, for whom he won twice at three. Sold on for 120,000gns by Juddmonte last autumn to Peter Hedger, the gelding has won another two races and is now rated 99. The Sporting Post invites breeders to submit colour This is also the family of current group performers photographs of new foals for possible publication on Crossed Baton and Viadera as well as new National Stud our various platforms. sire Time Test. Please email to [email protected] and kindly Consigned by Norris Bloodstock, the £150 000 colt was include breeding, birthdate and sex. Any additional produced by Quiet –a three-parts sister to former Europe- information and titbits are welcome. an champion Twice Over. The photographer’s name may also be included, The latter, Europe’s Joint Champion Older Horse in if applicable. 2009, was a superb athlete, whose 12 wins included back to back runnings of the Gr1 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, the Gr1 Juddmonte International and Gr1 Coral Eclipse. Bullish De Kock Twice Over, who banked more than £2.4 million during Multiple past SA champion Mike de Kock finished last season with his stellar career, has made an outstanding start to his stud the best strike rate in the country and looks set for another major career. effort – despite his Dubai and other international commitments. South Africa’s Champion Second Crop Sire in 2017-2018, De Kock matched Terrance Millard’s record of 117 Gr1 wins last Twice Over’s first crop includes EquusChampion, and 2018 term and finished third on the national log with 131 winners for Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner, Do It Again, Gr1 winning stakes of R16,3 million at a win strike rate of 17,1%. 2yo Sand And Sea, and Gr3 Highlands Stud Winter Derby Coincidentally, Milnerton-based Adam Marcus was next best with a winner Doublemint. 16,1% win strike rate. Click here to read his thoughts on his key runners this season SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 22

Leading breeders by Stakes season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 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 22,094,863 Summerhill Stud 352 62,769 2424 131 192 37% 5 6 4% 631 26% 8 Takingthepeace 1,400,000 6% 21,179,575 Klawervlei Stud 388 54,587 2275 142 201 37% 9 9 6% 654 29% 10 Lobo’s Legend 1,350,775 6% 15,563,913 Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein 208 74,827 1274 105 160 50% 10 14 10% 384 30% 13 Celtic Sea 692,000 4% 15,262,725 Drakenstein Stud 120 127,189 699 67 99 56% 7 10 10% 208 30% 12 Oh Susanna 4,312,375 28% 14,281,938 Maine Chance 157 90,968 956 69 116 44% 9 11 13% 259 27% 11 Liege 1,253,250 9% 13,712,138 Moutonshoek 137 100,089 846 53 89 39% 4 5 8% 240 28% 6 Undercover Agent 4,966,875 36% 11,726,413 Varsfontein Stud 109 107,582 691 49 75 45% 5 7 10% 220 32% 17 Surcharge 2,695,000 23% 11,082,013 Ascot Stud 97 114,248 596 46 72 47% 5 7 11% 180 30% 11 Coral Fever 3,185,000 29% 10,548,825 Highlands 157 67,190 957 73 102 46% 5 8 7% 240 25% 9 Eyes Wide Open 978,000 9%

Leading SIREs by Stakes season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes Trainer Paul Gadsby rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes is a relieved man! Just 24,960,263 *Captain Al 175 142,630 977 82 122 47% 14 20 17% 337 34% 24 Undercover Agent 4,966,875 20% 19,821,213 Silvano 225 88,094 1379 114 182 51% 12 13 11% 425 31% 23 Elusive Silva 716,250 4% over two years since 16,376,750 Dynasty 150 109,178 806 74 123 49% 16 21 22% 217 27% 17 It’s My Turn 1,306,250 8% 14,536,950 Trippi 140 103,835 857 72 110 51% 5 5 7% 303 35% 11 Miss Katalin 1,663,250 11% his charge Gunner set 13,871,651 Var 235 59,028 1318 89 139 38% 3 6 3% 394 30% 11 Sommerlied 793,750 6% Greyville alight with a 12,579,500 Gimmethegreenlight 157 80,124 966 67 98 43% 4 7 6% 273 28% 16 Surcharge 2,695,000 21% 10,516,900 Querari 120 87,641 718 54 86 45% 6 8 11% 203 28% 7 Monks Hood 1,030,875 10% milestone victory in the 10,226,601 What A Winter 105 97,396 546 48 63 46% 2 2 4% 171 31% 3 Dutch Philip 3,859,975 38% 9,354,163 Judpot 134 69,807 771 49 60 37% 2 3 4% 214 28% 8 Coral Fever 3,185,000 34% R600 000 Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes, the Leading SIREs of 3yo’s by Stakes season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 Gimmethegreenlight Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes gelding powered home rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes to score his third win at 14,947,213 *Captain Al 51 293,083 343 32 50 63% 6 10 19% 126 37% 7 Undercover Agent 4,966,875 33% 8,736,901 What A Winter 63 138,681 410 35 48 56% 1 1 3% 124 30% 3 Dutch Philip 3,859,975 44% Greyville on the polytrack 7,920,913 Silvano 84 94,297 534 54 91 64% 3 3 6% 168 31% 7 Miyabi Gold 420,000 5% 7,694,425 Gimmethegreenlight 75 102,592 532 33 49 44% 2 4 6% 144 27% 8 Surcharge 2,695,000 35% on Wednesday. 7,640,900 Trippi 42 181,926 284 30 41 71% 1 1 3% 108 38% 4 Miss Katalin 1,663,250 22% That’s a long time 7,002,750 Twice Over 62 112,948 411 32 45 52% 2 4 6% 97 24% 5 Do It Again 3,257,500 47% 5,709,025 Dynasty 58 98,431 334 31 43 53% 5 6 16% 92 28% 8 Eyes Wide Open 978,000 17% between drinks for the 5,665,550 Querari 48 118,032 310 24 37 50% 3 4 13% 83 27% 2 Monks Hood 1,030,875 18% 4,995,651 Var 75 66,609 509 34 47 45% 0 0 0% 167 33% 3 Speedpoint 424,100 8% connections of a 2yo that looked to have the world Leading SIREs of 2yo’s by Stakes season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 at his feet. But trainer Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes Paul Gadsby feels that his rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes charge was just a preco- 2,557,850 Var 53 48,261 149 21 25 40% 1 1 5% 42 28% 3 William The Silent 693,750 27% 2,252,875 *Captain Al 38 59,286 111 14 17 37% 2 3 14% 43 39% 4 Celtic Sea 692,000 31% cious youngster and ‘not 2,142,775 Oratorio 32 66,962 101 14 18 44% 3 3 21% 28 28% 5 Van Halen 601,125 28% really a Gr1 horse.’ 1,999,675 Gimmethegreenlight 34 58,814 103 16 21 47% 1 2 6% 33 32% 4 Barahin 533,625 27% 1,720,850 Pathfork 25 68,834 66 10 15 40% 2 4 20% 14 21% 2 Mighty High 534,375 31% Gunner’s 2yo feature 1,566,000 Pomodoro 22 71,182 90 5 8 23% 1 1 20% 31 34% 2 Return Flight 613,625 39% 1,489,700 What A Winter 42 35,469 136 13 15 31% 1 1 8% 47 35% 0 Clouds Unfold 233,125 16% success marked a first Gr1 1,411,825 *Sail From Seattle 48 29,413 173 17 17 35% 0 0 0% 51 29% 1 Across Seattle 95,500 7% victory for Varsfontein’s first season sire Gimme- Leading SIREs by Stakes on Polytrack season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 thegreenlight (how he 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 has he grown in stature!) 2,319,375 Trippi 54 42,951 184 17 27 31% 1 1 6% 79 43% 0 Miracle Bureau 280,225 12% , as well as the winner’s 2,263,876 *Sail From Seattle 72 31,443 238 27 35 38% 0 0 0% 72 30% 0 For Luck Sake 269,200 12% 2,165,625 Visionaire 58 37,338 167 20 28 34% 0 0 0% 57 34% 1 We’re Watching You 207,100 10% breeders Nadeson Park 2,164,325 Var 94 23,025 292 20 24 21% 0 0 0% 89 30% 1 Miss Varlicious 148,875 7% and former jockey-turned 1,972,213 Silvano 66 29,882 175 22 29 33% 0 0 0% 43 25% 1 Argenteus 172,500 9% 1,704,400 Querari 45 37,876 159 14 22 31% 0 0 0% 43 27% 0 Kazaar 179,375 11% trainer, Paul Gadsby. 1,648,200 *Antonius Pius 40 41,205 187 17 24 43% 2 2 12% 49 26% 0 Kissable 178,125 11% 1,625,900 Gimmethegreenlight 57 28,525 187 13 20 23% 0 0 0% 54 29% 0 Accidental Tourist 173,000 11% Bred by Hassen Adams’ Nadeson Park and out Leading SIREs by Stakes on Sand season 2017/2018 • 1 August - 31 July 2018 of the thrice winning Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes Captain Al mare, Play rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes Nice, who raced for Darryl 1,057,875 *Kahal 24 44,078 171 11 19 46% 0 0 0% 54 32% 0 Red Special 299,425 28% 924,250 Mambo In Seattle 26 35,548 162 8 16 31% 0 0 0% 39 24% 0 Sultry 146,975 16% Hodgson, Gunner was 535,025 Seventh Rock 21 25,477 84 6 9 29% 0 0 0% 30 36% 0 Emperors Tractor 138,575 26% bought for R200 000 on 496,050 Bold Silvano 8 62,006 68 3 10 38% 0 0 0% 21 31% 0 Two Gunsy 205,450 41% 487,075 Philanthropist 15 32,472 71 7 10 47% 0 0 0% 17 24% 0 Sea Bean 103,925 21% the Cape Premier Yearling 485,000 *A P Arrow 10 48,500 98 5 8 50% 0 0 0% 27 28% 0 Portman Square 159,875 33% 438,825 Var 18 24,379 80 4 7 22% 0 0 0% 19 24% 0 Roquebrune 219,900 50% Sale Book 1. 398,425 Traffic Guard 12 33,202 67 3 8 25% 0 0 0% 14 21% 0 Ahead Of Traffic 167,075 42% “He has another win or The FULL Statistics ONLINE http://www.sportingpost.co.za/horse-racing-statistics/ *Stallion dead or Retired **Stallion Not Standing in RSA two in him,” says Gadsby. **Breeding operations not based in RSA - Statistics for Breeders & Sires reflect all earnings, incl. restricted races & handicap races Watch the race here SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 23

Leading TRAINERS by STAKES season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 trainer runs wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ % % % % four four% runs Wendy Is Winning J Snaith 1155 162 14% 210 18% 32% 135 12% 527 46% 29,981,238 25,958 Summerveld trainer Wendy SG Tarry 1271 138 11% 214 17% 29% 127 10% 506 40% 23,552,775 18,531 BJ Crawford 739 101 14% 135 18% 24% 97 13% 357 48% 16,617,563 22,487 Whitehead saddled 19 runners MF de Kock 766 131 17% 220 29% 34% 84 11% 381 50% 16,534,363 21,585 C Bass-Robinson 934 98 10% 119 13% 27% 99 11% 400 43% 15,357,650 16,443 before she broke the ice with her AC Greeff 1020 148 15% 198 19% 35% 127 12% 498 49% 10,719,525 10,509 first winner of the season. That was GS Kotzen 821 80 10% 82 10% 29% 73 9% 304 37% 9,310,875 11,341 PA Peter 634 88 14% 109 17% 31% 52 8% 250 39% 9,142,401 14,420 at Greyville on Sunday when Dom MG & AA Azzie 498 61 12% 75 15% 24% 64 13% 217 44% 8,700,075 17,470 D Kannemeyer 467 58 12% 75 16% 41% 49 10% 194 42% 7,686,800 16,460 Seguidor won the last in a thriller. JAJ v Vuuren 477 67 14% 75 16% 33% 62 13% 229 48% 7,670,050 16,080 And to show it never rains, but DR Drier 525 66 13% 102 19% 34% 64 12% 244 46% 7,665,613 14,601 J Ramsden 496 58 12% 80 16% 29% 62 13% 216 44% 7,059,150 14,232 Wendy Whitehead is on pours, Wendy opened the very next GD Smith 1165 81 7% 82 7% 30% 112 10% 421 36% 6,734,001 5,780 her way Y Bremner 764 89 12% 101 13% 26% 82 11% 342 45% 6,589,238 8,625 KZN meeting with her filly Am- DC Howells 523 54 10% 73 14% 29% 61 12% 210 40% 6,400,700 12,238 ber Furst winning the first race at Leading jockeys by WINS Greyville yesterday. Both her winners are by Traffic Guard. season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 She has held her licence since 2001 and names her former jockey rides wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ boss Tony Furness as her biggest inspiration. % % % % four four% rides L Hewitson 1470 185 13% 233 16% 28% 187 13% 703 48% 20,164,188 13,717 M Yeni 1447 149 10% 225 16% 25% 164 11% 660 46% 18,211,026 12,585 A Domeyer 696 137 20% 211 30% 38% 107 15% 424 61% 13,369,350 19,209 A Delpech 527 136 26% 214 41% 38% 98 19% 341 65% 14,523,638 27,559 G Cheyne 801 135 17% 189 24% 32% 110 14% 459 57% 11,145,025 13,914 In Winning Form! C Murray 942 120 13% 159 17% 33% 102 11% 384 41% 12,488,800 13,258 R Fourie 668 119 18% 158 24% 32% 82 12% 357 53% 13,097,213 19,607 Northern Cape Champion jockey K De Melo 1020 114 11% 133 13% 28% 123 12% 450 44% 12,698,225 12,449 Muzi Yeni is a man on a mission. G v Niekerk 552 107 19% 119 22% 31% 82 15% 318 58% 20,087,575 36,391 R Munger 1332 107 8% 72 5% 33% 100 8% 439 33% 8,779,763 6,591 The Winning Form-sponsored hoop A Marcus 416 104 25% 205 49% 35% 77 19% 260 63% 15,715,863 37,779 has started the new season with a G Wrogemann 897 104 12% 96 11% 36% 95 11% 374 42% 12,726,126 14,187 C Zackey 1143 97 8% 91 8% 25% 111 10% 438 38% 12,986,276 11,362 flourish and has ridden 21 winners W Kennedy 748 79 11% 68 9% 28% 82 11% 301 40% 8,892,550 11,888 B Fayd’herbe 492 76 15% 101 21% 26% 67 14% 255 52% 12,261,650 24,922 from 176 rides. That’s an average of R Simons 617 76 12% 108 18% 36% 53 9% 241 39% 8,376,813 13,577 6 rides a day for the first 29 days of Muzi Yeni is on a mission Leading trainers/jockeys by wins % the month. If Muzi continues at this season 2017/2018 • complete season to 31 July 2018 rate, he could be a serious contend- trainer/ runs wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd stakes stks/ er to lift his firstA S Championship title – a deserving reward jockey % % % % runs for the hardest working jockey in the country! BJ Crawford/A Delpech 30 12 40% 16 53% 31% 7 23% 881,725 29,391 OA Ferraris/L J Ferraris 27 10 37% 8 30% 38% 4 15% 775,375 28,718 A Nel/A Domeyer 34 12 35% 12 35% 67% 4 12% 827,400 24,335 GV Woodruff/G Lerena 43 14 33% 22 51% 45% 7 16% 1,073,800 24,972 MF de Kock/A Delpech 104 32 31% 48 46% 46% 15 14% 3,200,075 30,770 J Ramsden/A Marcus 33 10 30% 15 45% 47% 5 15% 899,600 27,261 D Kannemeyer/A Delpech 78 22 28% 37 47% 43% 17 22% 2,110,975 27,064 PA Peter/G Lerena 39 11 28% 19 49% 32% 7 18% 1,309,675 33,581 PA Peter/P Strydom 44 12 27% 15 34% 40% 3 7% 1,056,525 24,012 Tara Team Works AC Greeff/A Domeyer 81 21 26% 37 46% 41% 11 14% 1,321,400 16,314 C Bass-Robinson/G v Niekerk 52 13 25% 5 10% 0% 7 13% 4,493,050 86,405 Chase Maujean and Tara Laing J Snaith/G v Niekerk 249 60 24% 73 29% 38% 40 16% 11,901,400 47,797 AC Greeff/G Cheyne 388 89 23% 143 37% 34% 73 19% 6,197,350 15,973 have struck up a winning partnership T Laing/C Murray 188 38 20% 37 20% 41% 25 13% 2,628,200 13,980 in the Eastern Cape and the un- J Snaith/B Fayd’herbe 182 36 20% 48 26% 25% 24 13% 7,584,625 41,674 MF de Kock/R Simons 123 25 20% 34 28% 41% 8 7% 2,824,025 22,960 derrated rider was seen at his best when booting home the revitalised Starflash for his fifth winner for the Racing To Win Tara Laing and Chase Maujean are a com- top Lady Trainer bination to follow on Friday. With a win strike of 20% and a 17% place strike rate for Team Tara, Maujean is yet another jockey to show that getting the regular opportunities with a top yard can make all the difference. Watch the combination at Fairview tomorrow!

Follow US SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 24 Winners Bred Abroad

Lute Society (AUS) 5g New Approach - Lute(NZ) (Stravinsky) 2nd season sires – 3yo’s Vaal 1400m (21/08) JACKSON (Dynasty) Roy's Magic (AUS) 5g Foxwedge - Wild Storm(CHI) (Hussonet) Nifty Fifty 3g (Between The Covers by Caesour) Scottsville 1200m (22/08) Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (31/08) Tennessee 3g (Temple Goddess by Pulpit) Celebration Rock (AUS) 3c Excelebration - Gibraltar’s Gem(AUS) Kenilworth 1 Maiden Plate 1200m (01/09) (Rock of Gibraltar) Spirit Of Song 3g (Gardener's Delight by Giant's Causeway) Scottsville 1000m (22/08) Kenilworth 3 Maiden Plate 1200m (01/09) Destin 3g (Princess Isabella by Personal Hope) Quick Glimpse (AUS) 4f Fastnet Rock - Apercu(AUS) (Encosta de Lago) Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) Fairview 1200m (24/08) MASTER OF MY FATE (Jet Master) Master Of Spain 3g (Iberia by Cordoba) Deerupt (AUS) 3f Snitzel - Ready On Time(AUS) (More Than Ready) Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) Turffontein 1450m (25/08) NOBLE TUNE (Unbridled's Song) French Nobility 3g (Liste Secrete by Peintre Celebre) Sports and Betting Fairview 1 Maiden Plate (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (31/08) POTALA PALACE (Singspiel) English Premier League Preview Perfect Summer 3g (Summer's End by Spectrum) Game week: 4 Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) This is the league we all want to watch, and gameweek three Titan Of Tibet 3g (Spectre Lady by Spectrum) showed us just why. Champions, Manchester City, dropped Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) points at last season’s Championship winners, Wolves, while THE APACHE (Mogok) Tottenham Hotspur ran riot at Old Trafford, claiming a massive Sunrise Ceremony 3g (Rocky Rituals by Rocky Marriage) 3-0 win over Manchester United. Kenilworth 8 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m (01/09) Potawatomi 3g (Crimson Fantasy by Crimson Waves) To catch up with Jesse Nagel previews click here Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) Rochester 3g (Jane Eyre by Saumarez) Saturday 1 September Kenilworth 9 Maiden Plate 1600m (01/09) 11/2 Leicester City | Draw 37/10 | Liverpool 9/20 (13:30) Take the Foxes on the Win/Draw Double Chance here at 31/20. Notable Maiden Winners 3/10 Chelsea | 5/1 | Bournemouth 17/2 (16:00) Back a Blues Win & Both Teams to Score at 14/10 here. SILVANO Rated AR 77 Hard Core (3g Headstrong by Pivotal) 19/20 Crystal Palace | 24/10 | Southampton 31/10 (16:00) Maiden Plate Greyville (turf) (1200m) (26/8) Back the Eagles here at 19/20. Sent off second favourite, Dennis Drier’s charge was soon up handy. 11/20 Everton | 3/1 | Huddersfield 52/10 (16:00) He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 200m marker, and Get on the home win here and include in all multiples. went on to score with authority by two. 13/10 Brighton | 23/10 | Fulham 9/4 (16:00) My money is on a draw. Horses To Follow 31/20 West Ham | 23/10 | Wolves 18/10 (16:00) DYNASTY West Ham are a good value bet here at 31/20. Rated AR 96 Noble Secret (4g Arabian Secret by Al Mufti) 1/8 Manchester City | 8/1 | Newcastle United 21/1 (18:30) Assessment Plate Turffontein (inner) (1600m) (25/8) The Citizens on the Half-time/Full-time win is priced up at Finishing as well as anything when a running on fourth in the Gr1 SA 4/10 – one worth including in all multiples. Classic back in April, Mike De Kock couldn’t have found his charge a more cushy opener to his 4yo campaign. Thrown in at the weights, Sunday 2 September Noble Secret won as a good odds on favourite should, with plenty 9/2 Cardiff | 31/10 | Arsenal 6/10 (14:30) in hand. The away win is tipped here at 6/10. 17/4 Watford | 31/10 | Tottenham 6/10 (17:00) Is Your Horse One To Follow? Take Over 2.5 Goals at 7/10. 47/10 Burnley | 11/4 | Manchester United 13/20 (17:00) Check the Notable Maiden Winners At 23/20, Both Teams to Score seems like a bet worth having & Horses for the Notebook on this page a punt on. - see how promising the Sporting Post TREBLE @ 4/1 Crystal Palace Win 19/20 ability ratings (AR) say they are. Everton Win 11/20 arsenal Win 6/10 SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 25

Clockwatching with Steve Furnish

Last Week’s Top Rated Speed Ratings winners incl...... won 15/1 Jenny Mcgee . won 15/1 Los Barbados ...... won 11/1 All Systems Go French Legend ...... won 10/1 Generous Lady ...... A review of the week's best speed ratings won 6/1 Tudor Manor ...... won 113/20 KIRKCONNEL LASS well held at the wire. Cape Leopard ...... won 113/20 ...... The only other distance to stage more Isphan won 41/10 Counting On Monte Christo than one race on the day was 1400m where Rio De La Plata ...... Scottsville 19 August the faster of the two MR68 Handicaps (on A half of the races in Pietermaritburg on my clock) was the first division won by UL TE Sunday were run over 1200m and stop- SOCIETY. In what proved to be a real thriller Top speed ratings ping the clock in the fastest of these was the lightly weighted New Approach gelding for this weekend MONTE CHRISTO in the bill topping MR90 came from the rear, and got up in the very (Ratings shown have already been adjusted to Handicap. Always handy in a small field of last stride. allocated weights) just seven runners, the 6yo son of Trippi Race two on the card was an assessment Fairview (fri) was asked to take up the running 200m plate over 1200m and here we saw a smart Race 1: (6) Josie 7 out by Anton Marcus, and kept on strong- performance from the lightly raced 3yo FREE Race 2: (5) Zip Line 60 ly late to beat the much more sparingly AND EASY. On offer at 18/1 when the gates Race 3: (1) Mogok’s Time 4 Race 4: (6) Silver Spur 35 raced 6yo TRIBAL FUSION by a length and opened, the daughter of Main Aim sat fifth Race 5: (7) Oasis Queen 39 a quarter. of the six for most of the journey. She ran on Race 6: (7) Desert Wisdom 76 The MR76 Handicap over 1400m was best of all from halfway and after striking the Race 7: (2) Oklahoma Sky 40 (EW) comparatively the fastest of the four races front 300m out, won going away by a length Race 8: (6) Fairyinthemist 24 Turffontein (sat) around the turn and here victory went and three quarters. Looking forward to see Race 1: (5) Frankly 25 to the Dennis Drier trained FOREHAND. what the official handicapper makes of this Race 2: (3) Silken Prince 22 (NAP*) Another to race handy, albeit five lengths race! Race 3: (4) Dan The Lad 49 Race 4: (9) Being Fabulous 83 off the pace set by STAR EVOLUTION, the Titbits LAST GIRL STANDING was flying at the Race 5: (5) Mademoiselle 32 Western Winter Filly ran on strongly in the finish when only failing by the narrowest of margins Race 6: (2) Rouge Allure 68 short home straight, and with the rest well to land the MR72 Handicap over 1200m. Race 7: (1) Talktothestars 91 Race 8: (1) Prince Jordan 31 beaten, she got up late to beat the front Race 9: (10) Lee’s Pick 50 runner by three quarters. Smart Hat-trick Kenilworth (sat) Race 3 on the card was a maiden plate Race 1: (3) Tintagel 5 Scottsville 22 August for 3yo’s over 1600m and here we saw a Race 2: (1) Secret Path 11 Racing returned to Pietermaritzburg on Race 3: (1) Head Of The Pack 8 gutsy performance from the lightly raced Race 4: (4) Magnificent Seven 62 DUKE OF SPIN. Having only his second ca- Wednesday where the only distance to stage (NAP*) reer outing here, Duncan Howells’ charge more than one race was 1000m. There were Race 5: (10) Made In Hollywood 74 three races over the trip in total and by far Race 6: (6) Prince Oracy 51 led throughout. He answered every call Race 7: (1) Straat-Kind 42 early in the home straight and won going the fastest of these was the bill topping Race 8: (6) Merkada 22 away by three and three quarters. MR88 Handicap won by the 18/10 favourite Race 9: (6) Potawatomi 28 PATA PATA. Not the quickest into stride when Scottsville (sun) Titbits The 5yo FRENCH LEGEND came from the rear when getting up late to win the MR72 the gates opened, Brett Crawford’s charge Race 1: (2) Iknow 8 Race 2: (3) Bourbon Bouquet 9 Handicap over 1200m. raced at the back for most of the journey. Race 3: (13) Thanksgiving 15 Once given rein though the 4yo son of Var Race 4: (2) Global Pursuit 16 quickened best of all and under a well- Race 5: (6) Escape Club 46 Awkward Assessment Race 6: (9) Prince Of Promise 42 judged ride from Anton Marcus, he got up Race 7: (1) Doing It For Dan 86 Vaal 21 August late to deny the front running NEALA. Race 8: (3) Panza 39 (EW) They raced on the inside track on Tues- Jockey Anton Marcus rode three winners day where five of the afternoon’s nine on the afternoon, the first of which was the Nap bets races were staged over 1200m. The MR81 odds on favourite CELEBRATION ROCK in the * Fancied ** Strongly fancied Handicap was the fastest of these on my opening maiden plate for 3yo’s over 1000m. *** Very strongly fancied clock and here we saw a gutsy victory Soon at the head of affairs, Paul Lafferty’s from the easy to back LA BASTIDE. Freely charge led throughout. He kept on strongly available at 13/1 on the off, the lesser at the business end of the race and won by fancied of Sean Tarry’s two runners set the a length from the easy to back BLACKBURN Horses worth following pace. She found extra when challenged ROC. at their next few starts... 300m out and did have the runner up In terms of distance, the easiest victory Twice A Poet (T Laing, E-Cape) SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 26

Clockwatching cont.

on the card was registered by GENEROUS the 5yo HIGHLANDER. Sent off second in Titbits The newcomer TWICE A POET ran on LADY when getting off the mark in the the betting market at 4/1, St John Gray’s well from the rear when only beaten a neck in maiden event over 1400m. Easy to back at charge also came from second last. He the opening maiden plate over 1200m. 10/1 on the off, the daughter of Philan- was ridden to lead at the 100m marker thropist was swiftly guided over from and with some in hand won going away by a wide draw by Craig Zackey and raced three. handy in third. She put her head in front Titbits Easy to back at 15/1 at the off, the as they approached the 300m marker and column’s top rated JENNY MCGEE came from (Number of races run in each category shown in brackets) went on to win with authority by two and the rear when getting up late to open her ac- * Times taken by Clockwatcher three quarters. count in the maiden plate over 1600m. Scottsville (inside) 19 August Penetrometer 25 – Going G/Soft The uneasy favourite HIGH ALTAR ran Titbits Course Variant: 0,75s slow on well from the rear when getting up late to win Fleeting Glimpse 1200m (4) Monte Christo 68,59 the MR64 Handicap over 1600m. Fairview 24 August 1400m (1) Forehand 84,00 1600m (1) Duke Of Spin 97,15 The listed Jockey Club Stakes over 1950m (1) Rio De La Plata 123,39 Easy Three Points 2000m topped the bill on Friday’s turf 2400m (1) :Los Barbados 150,74 Vaal 23 August card and in what surprisingly, given the Vaal (inside) 21 August pace, proved to be the fastest of the three Penetrometer 22 – Going Good Very unusually there were no sprint Course Variant: 2,37s slow races on Thursday’s Vaal classic card. races over the distance, KONKOLA caused 1000m (1) Isphan 59,34 Indeed, the shortest two races took place an upset. There was no pace at all early 1200m (5) La Bastide 72,56* over 1600m. The assessment plate was on and in a very tightly bunched field, 1400m (2) Lute Society 84,97* 1700m (1) Skiminac 105,70 the faster of these and here the excep- Justin Snaith’s charge raced close up in Scottsville (inside) 22 August tionally well weighted WINTER’S FORGE seventh. She ran on strongly when the Penetrometer 23 – Going Good was far from impressive in landing the race developed into a sprint in the straight Course Variant: 0,24s slow spoils. Trying the distance for the first and won going away by two and three 1000m (3) Pata Pata 56,32 time, the daughter of Western Winter quarters after striking the front 100m out. 1200m (1) Roy’s Magic 69,58 By far the quicker of the two 1200m 1400m (1) Generous Lady 83,69 made all. Challenged strongly by PEARL 1600m (1) High Altar 96,91 OF BAHRAIN over the final 300m, Winter’s races that opened up proceedings was the 1950m (1) Purple And Gold 120,88 Forge had to work hard in order to score MR76 Handicap won by QUICK GLIMPSE. 2400m (1) Regal River 153,18 by three quarters. A fluent winner of her only previous out- Vaal (classic) 23 August ing since relocating to the Eastern Cape, Penetrometer 21 – Going Good They also ran two races over 1800m and Course Variant: 3,29s slow surprisingly the quicker of these was the the daughter of Fastnet Rock raced in 1600m (2) Winter’s Forge 98,86 opening maiden plate won by DROP KICK. midfield during the early part of the race. 1800m (2) Drop Kick 111,56 Always top of the boards, the son of Jud- She ran on best of all over the final 400m 2000m (1) Braxton 125,75 pot raced second to last for most of the and won going away by a length and three 2400m (3) Highlander 152,68 quarters. Fairview (turf) 24 August journey. He ran on best of all when the Penetrometer 25 – Going G/Soft race began in earnest and after taking up Another to win well on this card was Course Variant: 1,63s slow the running 350m out won very comforta- STARFLASH in the non-black type Speed- 1000m (1) Starflash 57,12 bly by two and a quarter. ster Stakes over 1000m. Soon positioned 1200m (2) Quick Glimpse 70,30 close to the speed, the improving Pathfork 1400m (1) Cape Leopard 84,97 The MR74 Handicap was by far the 1600m (1) Free Agent 98,05 quickest of the three 2400m events and gelding struck the front 200m out and won 2000m (3) Konkola here we saw a smart performance from well from the running on PACIFIC SPIRIT. SPORTING POST DIGEST • thursday 30 august 2018 27

Doing The Splits Splits for Greyville 29 July