In this age of heightened awareness around the use of the crop in horseracing, an apprentice's

28 Pages·2017·4.88 MB·English

SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 1
Thursday 29 November 2018
fairview turf Friday
Best Roving Banker:
r2-(6)Destiny’s Child (16/10)
GreYviLLe poly Friday
Best Roving Banker:
r3-(12) Pollard (12/1)
turffontein Saturday
Best Roving Banker:
r5-(16) High Seas Beauty (16/1)
keniLwortH Saturday
Best Roving Banker:
r5-(5)Grand Silvano(12/10)
SCottSviLLe Sunday
Best Roving Banker:
r9-(2) Chantyman (5/2)
Saturday 24 November
Turffontein– race 4
Sporting Post
Best Handicapped In this age of heightened awareness around the use of the crop in horseracing,
Bosphorus an apprentice’s indiscretion in striking a fellow rider intentionally with his stick in a race at Greyville
WON 22/1
a few weeks ago was rather bizarre poor timing.
after another tumultuous year of more downs six weeks since the post closed for applications – and
than ups, our often maligned racing regulator has mum’s the word.
lifted its game in the past month on the PR front but acting CEO arnold hyde, thrown in the deep
with some inspiring initiatives, including the no crop end, has shown great resolve in attempting to bolster
initiative and some good news stories on their blog the news mill with positives.
about retired racehorses. Thanks to hyde, following on the hooves of the
While the industry sits on tenterhooks waiting mayfair Speculators saga and other debacles, it is
to hear who will fill the bum roasting seat vacated good to see South african horseracing receiving a bit
by Lyndon barends in September, it would appear of positive press at home and abroad.
that here is much debate and mulling over the Cv’s It was reported yesterday on thoroubreddailynews
submitted for the post of head man of the National in an article entitled ‘Whipping horses: They See
horseracing authority. We are now heading for over Things Differently In Sa’ that we are in essence almost
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 2
where there's life...there's hOPe! weekend racing
world leaders when it comes to lifting the public image of the sport a Summer Sweat!
through our focus on the crop.
It was hyde who assisted his daughter meghan in adopting an Gr1 Summer Cup Turffontein
ex-racehorse called Dollar bill from the highveld horsecare unit.
The top-class mare Dancewith-
Read more here
thedevil was the last member of
and it was the same guy who gave life to the inaugural crop free the fairer sex to win the Sum-
race on 3 November, won by a horse who now finds himself a mer Cup. That was back in 2011
serious entrant in the first 29 for the 2019 Sun met. when Gavin Lerena partnered the
While we are probably years away from joining Norway in crop- daughter of Modus Vivendi to
free racing, there is a lobby on both sides of the fence as to what victory.
will work best. The fact that somebody is addressing a possible The past Sa Champion jockey
turn-off to attracting a new generation to the game is heartening. partners one of the five ladies in
Sabina's Dynasty| JC Photos
It’s probably largely about education. Cascapedia in the class of 2018.
as a racing intellectual put it to us: This very wide open handicap has a host of runners making
claims – depending on what angle one looks at it.
“blinkers are not there so you can blind a horse. Shoes are not
there so you can hit nails in a horse. bits are not there so you can Lerena rides Cascapedia for mike de Kock. The Irish-bred
tear a horses' mouth. and sticks are not there to flail at a horse. mare has enjoyed a top-class prep with a great win in the
It's equipment to control a giant animal from on top. If a kid beats Joburg Spring Challenge over a distance short of her best af-
another with a cricket bat, you don't play the next innings with a ter a six month break. She was then beaten just under a half
butterfly net. you ban the kid, not the bat!” length by Secret Potion when stepping up to the mile last
time. Ridden much handier there, she is better held up for a
Read more about the errant apprentice
run and should be cutting them back late.
her stablemate Takingthepeace had everything in her fa-
vour when producing a great finish to win the victory moon
Green Point’s Super Six! Stakes at her last start. another with a top prep under the
belt, she has plenty to do at the weights on Saturday.
Only six horses, four of which are Gr1 winners, have ac- Sabina’s Dynasty went down just 0,75 lengths there and is
cepted for the R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes to be run at a kilo better off with Takingthepeace. The Gr2 Gerald Rosen-
weight-for-age plus penalties over a mile at Kenilworth on berg winner has Piere Strydom aboard from a good draw and
Saturday 8 December. looks primed for a booming finish.
In a season that has promised a rare feast of high quality Sa Oaks winner Secret Potion won her return start in a
racing for the Cape summer season, the Green Point Stakes small field and will be more effective over this trip. her form
has been dubbed a mini L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate with dual prior to her unsuccessful July bid was top-class.
Sa horse Of The year Legal Eagle topping the ratings in a bid The 2017 Summer Cup runner-up Fort Ember could be
to register third straight victory in the race. held by a fitter Takingthepeace on her penultimate jump and
Legal Eagle recently returned to action with a scintillat- failed to spark when downfield in the yellowwood handicap.
ing sprint victory and even as a 7yo looks to have plenty of The De Kock 4yo pair of Noble Secret and Like a Panther
fight left. have enjoyed good preps and Noble Secret will enjoy the
he takes on last season’s Gr1 Gold Challenge winner un- 2000m after failing to go with them in the Charity mile. This
dercover agent, another star prospect who returned in his dual Gr1 placed 3yo will enjoy running at them late off a fast
seasonal debut to a fluent sprint victory. pace.
The exciting unbeaten Rainbow bridge puts his enormous Deo Juvente is a class act but has not bee at his best lately
reputation on the line at his sixth start, while vodacom Durban and was well beaten in the victory moon Stakes.
July winner Do It again commences his quest for Sun met glory Defending champion Liege has done little since winning
in earnest. this race last year. his form is uninspiring.
Last season’s Gr2 Charity mile winner hat Puntano, now Social Order ran 7 lengths off stablemate Liege last year
trained by Joey Ramsden, is back in Cape Town after a failed and does not have the recent form credentials.
attempt in 2017, while the Snaith’s 2017 L’Ormarins Queen’s
The handily weighted Cash Time is a strong front-runner
Plate runner-up Copper Force completes the super sextet.
on his day and ran a gutsy third in the victory moon Stakes
behind Takingthepeace.
R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes Field
The topweighted Coral Fever was a gutsy winner of the
1 3 Legal Eagle 60 123 T A A Marcus Sean Tarry
2 6 Undercover Agent 60 120 A C Orffer Brett Crawford
3 1 Do It Again 60 117 A R Fourie Justin Snaith
4 5 Hat Puntano (ARG) 59 115 A D Dillon Joey Ramsden
5 4 Rainbow Bridge 58 110 A B Fayd'Herbe Eric Sands
6 2 Copper Force 58 105 A S Veale Justin Snaith
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 3
weekend racing
Charity mile and stayed on well for a 3 length third to
Liege in this race last year. a Gr1 winner over Saturday’s
Bet On A Sizzler!
course and distance, him and muzi yeni make a formidable
partnership.
around R45 million will be bet into Tab pools on Summer Cup day.
KZN raider Roy had Enough has not enjoyed his previous The menu for the big day is listed below:
trips to the highveld but may be a different proposition as Race 1: Quartet maXIPOOL – R75k carryover; likely pool R700k
a 4yo. he lumbered topweight when staying on steadily Race 2: biPot ONE Leg 1 – R35k carryover; likely pool R600k
behind Warfarer in the michaelmas handicap last time out. Race 3: Pa Leg 1 - likely pool R1,5 million
Drum Star winner Dawn assault is 4kgs better off with Race 4: Pick 6 mEGaPOOL Leg 1 – R2,500k carryover;
Takingthepeace for a 3 length beating in the victory moon. likely pool R7,5 million
he stayed on well to beat Sabina’s Dynasty at his penulti- Race 5: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 – likely pool R1,2 million
mate start but that was on the inside track and he meets Race 6: Pa blitz Leg 1 – likely pool R125k
the mare on a kilo worse terms. Race 7: Quartet maXIPOOL – R500k carryover;
likely pool R2,2 million
Tilbury Fort was well beaten in this race last year but
Race 7: biPot TWO Leg 1 – likely pool R200k
showed heartening improvement when looking a winner
Race 7: Place payouts on fi rst 6 runners to fi nish
late in the Charity mile last time out. There is evidence
Race 9: Jackpot TWO Leg 1 – R100k carryover; likely pool R900k
he doesn’t necessarily stay the 2000m but must have a
Race 11: Jackpot Quickmix Leg 1 – Likely pool R200k
chance if maintaining his improvement at his second start
Race 12: Quartet maXIPOOL – R50k carryover; likely pool R325k
after a break.
an all To Come bet into the G-bets Summer Cup has been avail-
a perennial earner, the 6yo arctica has maintained a
able all week. Start your bet on any race meeting up to Friday 30
length solid line of consistent form and is another who
November and make your last selection a Win or Place bet on the
looked dangerous late in the Charity mile and ran another
Summer Cup. mark Future 1 for the Summer Cup portion of your
gutsy race when beaten 1,25 lengths in the victory moon.
bet, plus horse number and Win or Place.
Tandava cannot be fancied on current form.
The last of the De Kock quintet, Kilrain is well out at the
weights but is a 7yo who often produces a late rattle. his
trainer will be satisfied with an earning top eight spot.
a tough race to put the head down. mike De Kock has a
what about a Curved Ball?
very strong hand with all of Noble Secret and Cascapedia
looking to be major contenders. Then Sabina’s Dynasty and
Gr2 Merchants Turffontein
Tilbury Fort are also in the picture. and who dares discard
the trojan Coral Fever? KZN trainer Wendy Whitehead steps
Gr1 Summer Cup With the shock late with- into the Turffontein bull-ring on Saturday
past winners drawal of Equus Champion to contest the R450 000 Gr2 Merchants
2015 Stayer It's my Champion, the where she takes on the big guns with a
1 Master Sabina 56.5 ( 7) 13/2
2 Deo Juvente 54.5 (18) 15/1 race has been thrown even son of the Bush Hill stallion, Curved Ball.
2 031 F6rench Navy 60.0 ( 8) 6/1 wider open. The participation of Ms Whitehead and
1 Master Sabina 56.0 ( 5) 5/1 2015 July winning jockey Stuart Ran- Rivarine| JC Photos
2 The Conglomerate 56.0 (14) 9/1
dolph, a largely unheralded duo in this arena, adds plenty of
3 Master Switch 53.5 (17) 22/1
2017 interest.
1 Liege 53.0 ( 2) 16/1
2 Fort Ember 56.0 ( 3) 36/1 The Dr Ian heyns bred hard To Play, apparently a duplicate in
3 Coral Fever 52.0 (19) 36/1
looks of his sire Curved ball who is the first son of Fastnet Rock to
stand at stud in South africa, has an outstanding temperament
and a smart record in the lesser climes of his home province
where he has won 5 of his 12 starts - including a commendable
level weights 3,35 length fourth to rising Gr1 star, undercover
agent, in the byerley Turk.
a relaxed galloper who likes to be switched off for a run, hard To
Play could enjoy flying at them off the highly charged pace of the
Turffontein 1160m – if not run off his feet.
One horse who won’t have any issues with speed is recent
Golden Loom winner Rivarine, who made a timeous return to best
after a 44 day break last time out. The Lebelo Sprint winner gets
the services of Gavin Lerena again and must surely be involved in
the finish.
The exciting 4yo Captain and master is one of a Sean Tarry quar-
tet and with the services of Piere Strydom could play a part in the
finish. The one worry is his being possibly outpaced as he drops in
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 4
weekend racing
trip but he has shown good ability and cannot be underesti-
mated. Van Halen Rocks On To Guineas
another KZN raider, Wynkelder has his first start at Turffon-
Tobie Spies’ Oratorio star 3yo Van Halen remains on track
tein and could be run off his feet on what he has shown to
for a crack at the Cape Guineas in three week’s time.
date. This was confirmed on Sunday morning by stable spokesman
hailing from ashburton, the progressive Procal harum has Corne Spies after the Gr1 winner had finished a 10,20 length
hit good form and takes a jump in class. Duncan howells is a last in the Gr2 Cape merchants on Saturday.
conservative trainer who would not be taking on the locals “after a run like that one is always nervous of what we will
were he to believe he could not beat them. find the next morning. but I am pleased to say that he emp-
The 7yo Isphan looks held by Rivarine on their Golden Loom tied the manger and is in the pink of health this morning. he
clash. is a tough and healthy horse. We must put it down to him
simply having had an off day. We are all entitled to one I sup-
Pure blonde returns from a 24 week break and is likely to
pose,”laughed Corne.
need the run.
The only 3yo in the merchants field, van halen was coming
The Sean Tarry duo of africa Rising and Wonderwall are both
off an eyecatching return victory at Turffontein on 18 October.
capable on their day and could threaten for quartet money
That followed a five month rest after his sensational Gr1 Gold
with a bit of luck on their side.
medallion win over the soon to be exported Cue The music at
Cape summer bridesmaid Rose In bloom has blossomed in Scottsville in may.
Gauteng and is a winner of two of her last three starts, She “you asked ‘what happened?’. When posed the same ques-
won the Gardenia Stakes last time but has more to do in this tion by his owners after a race, the late Roy unsworth always
mixed company. used to say – ‘put your hands together and pray it never
Romi’s boy has been rested 21 weeks and is likely to need it. happens again!’ and that is what we are doing. We are taking
a deep breath and sticking to the original plan. To find excuses
Clever Guy showed pace when finishing third behind Legal
Eagle last time out but generally does not appear to have the we could look to the unknown that he could still be acclima-
credentials to take the big guns on. tising and that it was his first run at Kenilworth. horses make
fools of men every day!”
Captain’s Causeway has no recent form to recommend him.
Corne said that jockey Craig Zackey had wasted down to
Down To Zero looks well held by Procal harum on their last
52kgs to ride van halen.
start and, while a dual course and distance winner, will need
“That’s genuine dedication and commitment and it is an
to lift his game to win this.
indication as to how highly Craig rates him. We expected him
Champagne haze has the ability but has been off form for to be competitive on Saturday. Things ddn’t work out. We are
some time now. all disappointed,” he added.
Pinnacle Peak showed dual Sa horse Of The year Legal Eagle Corne says that the Cape Guineas is shaping up into the race
plenty of cheek over the course of the season after hawwaam and One World produced top-
Gr2 Merchants and distance two weeks ago but class prep victories on Saturday.
past winners has risen quickly in the ratings “It’s always a tough high-quality contest. We believe van
since winning the man O War halen will stay the mile. They only get one crack at the Cape
2015
1 Brutal Force 56.0 (10) 15/4 Sprint back in april and has a Guineas in a lifetime and we are going for it,” he said in closing.
2 Dollar Dazzler 55.0 (16) 25/1
3 Copper Parade 53.5 (17) 33/1 big task here.
2016
1 Trip To Heaven 59.5 ( 2) 5/2 another tricky handicap on a
2 Bull Valley 56.0 ( 8) 5/1
tough day at the office. Rivarine High Honours
3 Talktothestars 62.0 (10) 15/1
2017 has been threatening to win
1 The Thinker 52.0 (17) 12/1
2 Naafer 52.0 ( 1) 5/1 a few more and impressed in Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge Turffontein
3 Amazing Strike 53.5 ( 2) 28/1 the Golden Loom. hard To Play
The R400 000 Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge honours the great Zim-
could bring
babwe bred champion daughter of Manshood, who made her
6 his KZN
START PA4/PICK SIX3/JACKPOT2 mark in South Africa and beyond.
3:35PM GR2 MeRChAnTS - 1160M form to the
T uRffOnTeIn SAMe TRAIneR:(3-11)(4-9-10-15)(6-8) party. It was 20 years ago that Ipi Tombe trained
by mike de Kock in South africa to many
Querari 1 Pinnacle Peak(DA Sham) C Zackey ...........18 60.0
Gimmethegreenlight 2 Rose in Bloom(J Ramsden) L J ferraris ....11 56.0 of her great victories, was born at Peter J.
Querari 3 Romi’s Boy(AG Laird) R Danielson .................7 55.5
Captain Al 4 caPtain’s causeway(SG Tarry) C habib ....8 55.0 moor’s Golden acres Farm in marondera,
Kahal 5 chamPagne haze(GM Alexander) D Schwarz .5 55.0 Zimbabwe.
Judpot 6 Down to zeRo(MG & AA Azzie) W Kennedy ..2 54.5
Querari 7 PRocal haRum(DC Howells) R Munger ........1 54.5 On Saturday nine classy fillies and mares
Var 8 RiVaRine(MG & AA Azzie) G Lerena ...............13 54.5
Visionaire 9 afRica Rising(SG Tarry) L hewitson ...........12 54.0 will race in her honour at weight-for-age Dagmar| JC Photos
Captain Al 10 caPtain anD masteR(SG Tarry) P Strydom. ..9 54.0 plus penalties from Gr1 and Gr2 victories.
Kahal 11 PuRe BlonDe(AG Laird) R Simons .................4 54.0
Kahal 12 wynkelDeR(AJ Rivalland) M v Rensburg ........3 53.0 mike de Kock arrives with the relative kitchen sink and his three
Curved Ball 13 haRD to Play(W Whitehead) S Randolph ....16 52.5
Tiger Ridge 14 isPhan(RR Magner) M Khan...........................17 52.0 runners all have top chances.
Querari 15 wonDeRwall(SG Tarry) S Khumalo .............10 52.0 heading the list is the stakes winning 3yo Dagmar, a daughter of
Argonaut 16 cleVeR guy(S Moffatt) M Yeni .....................14 52.0
Seventh Rock 17 Donny g(G Maroun) - reserve 1 .......................6 52.0 Querari and an unlucky loser of her last race. She conceded 3kgs
Point Given 18 nicklaus(F Robinson) - reserve 2 ................15 52.0
to I like It there and that filly almost upset the applecart in last Sat-
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 5
weekend racing
urday’s Gr3 Fillies mile when going down a whisker to Cape Fillies al log-leading Winning Form sponsored rider sits this one out with
Guineas prospect Ghaalla. No wonder mike de Kock rates Dagmar’s the withdrawal of Covered In Snow.
chances on that sort of collateral. The only question is whether she Grant maroun holds a strong hand with his duo of the hard-knock-
stays the mile or not? ing Wrecking ball and speedy byword filly, Shifting Shadows.
The same cautionary applies to her talented stablemate Na- Piere Strydom looks the perfect foil for the sometimes tearaway
faayes, who chased the rampant Ronnie’s Candy home in the Wrecking ball, who has been thereabouts at her past few starts and
Starling Stakes. The latter was beaten under a length into third in may enjoy a more restrained ride – as Gavin Lerena showed when
the Fillies mile on Saturday. she was slow out and ran on behind Rose In bloom in the Gardenia
Silver Thursday is third of the De Kock trio and is reported to be Stakes last time out. She has not been in the winner’s box since the
likely to need the run. vaal in January but could go close here.
al Danza caught the eye with a superb second behind Summer her year younger stablemate Shifting Shadows was 3,25 lengths
Cup fancy Cascapedia in the Joburg Spring Challenge last time – an behind Wrecking ball in the Gardenia and is as much as 4kgs better
excellent effort after a three month break. She was not persevered off with her here. That brings this very decent 4yo into the picture.
with in the Garden Province Stakes at her penultimate start and can Course and distance winner Schippers is on the upgrade and will
continue on her good form set as a 4yo. have many supporters. a winner of two of her last three starts, she
Garden Province heroine Redberry Lane carries topweight and was not disgraced in mixed when carrying topweight last time and
should be cherry ripe after two smart return runs this term. She is could be the one to beat.
the proven class in the race. Sean Tarry’s Colour Of Light won three of her four starts last term
First of the KZN raiding team, Roy’s Riviera has seen the Turffon- but failed to show when returning from a six month rest last time. a
tein track and was not disgraced at her penultimate start here. She dual course and distance winner, she will improve.
looks held by Redberry Lane but is a candidate for a stakes credit. Stan Ferreira has enjoyed success in this race in years past and he
The quite underrated Sylvan On Fire was a smart winner of the saddles the speedy Winter’s Forge after a short break of nine weeks.
yellowwood handicap last time and is a fit capable sort who can The daughter of Western Winter is drawn on the wide outside and
run into the places. looks likely to lead them early.
KZN Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella has had two prep runs and Pretty Penny bled at her last start and disappointed finishing just
should be ready to run to some- over 5 lengths behind Schippers. She is 3kgs better with the Wood-
Gr2 Ipi Tombe Chall.
thing like the form that saw her ruff runner and can add to her impressive win tally of 3 from 5.
past winners
beat Snowdance at level weights Course and distance winner mrs O has been tried over further
2015
last term. but seems like a better sprinter after failing to win beyond this trip.
1 Smart Call 60.0 ( 6) 12/10
2 Bichette 59.0 ( 2) 18/10 Green Top looks well held by Red- She has her third run in the blinkers and must be considered on
3 London 58.0 ( 7) 33/1
2016 berry Lane on her penultimate start best form. her stablemate and topweight Frederico’s Dream is a
1 Intergalactic 59.0 (11) 13/1 but is well drawn and looks miles very decent sort on her day and should improve with a run under
2 Polyphonic 59.0 ( 1) 4/1
3 Tahini 59.0 ( 9) 13/1 better than a one-time winner at the belt after a four month break.
2017
1 Nother Russia 60.0 ( 3) 12/10 this stage of the game. KZN raider accidental Tourist has consistent form but has not
2 Bi Pot 58.0 ( 4) 9/1 Dagmar could stay on and win won in a year. She is yet to win at stakes level and has her first run
3 She’s A Giver 58.0 ( 2) 28/1
this. She was unlucky last time on the highveld.
and did not Speedy course and distance
Gr3 Magnolia Hcp
appear to winner Casual Wear has won 2 of
past winners
be stopping her last 4 starts and takes a step up
2015
over the in class under Calvin habib.
1 Kwinta 55.5 (10) 9/2
200m short- 2 Silver Class 56.5 ( 3) 14/1 her stablemate Ouro has a habit
3 Eros’s Girl 53.0 (12) 75/1
er. Redberry 2016 of running second and is another
Lane and Na- 1 Green Pepper 52.0 ( 7) 8/10 who steps up.
2 Crystal Glamour 52.0 (13) 11/1
faayes look 3 Swift Sarah 54.5 (11) 22/1 The 3yo Captain’s Princess hails
2017
next best. 1 My Friend Lee 52.5 (10) 28/1 from the Candice Dawson yard and
2 Arissa 53.5 (12) 15/1 is asked to do more, She ran a smart
3 Lady Starlett 52.5 ( 1) 36/1
third behind the subsequently very
progressive
Hit the Jackpot!
Ronnie’s
Candy in
Gr3 Magnolia Handicap Turffontein
the Sa Fillies
The speed queens will duel over the straight Turffontein 1160m Nursery last
on Saturday with chances to many in the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap. term.
It is also the opening leg of the first Jackpot where the pool is It’s open –
expected to reach a healthy R1,2 million. go very wide.
It’s not a new approach but punters often use – and often wisely Schippers is
so – the ‘F&m’ annotation on the race description to go the field classy and
and more route. and this may well be the only insurance to ensure highly re-
survival in the four-legged exotic. garded. She
There is little to separate the top half of the runners and after could step up
muzi yeni sprung the surprise on my Friend Lee in 2017, the nation- to the plate!
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 6
news
trainer: ‘were those Jockeys Mad?’
Hall Of Fame – What’s It All Mean?
The Kenilworth Stipendiary Stewards, envisaging angry
The announcement that the South African Hall of Fame punters all over South Africa, were quick to hold an inquiry
is looking to induct four individuals from the world of local into the Christmas Market Pinnacle last Saturday.
michael Clower writes that the race was won by 20-1 rank out-
horseracing has created a bit of a stir. So we decided to take a
sider milton with the riders of the other four runners seemingly
look at the history of Halls of Fame around the world.
making no attempt to bridge the gap when Corne Orffer poached
The definition of a hall of Fame says that it refers to either
a ten-length lead.
a structure housing memorials to famous or accomplished
What made it worse in the eyes of punters and public was that
individuals usually chosen by a group of electors; or a group of
the winner is trained by billy Prestage who frequently instructs
individuals in a particular category (such as a sport) who have
his jockeys to try and pinch a commanding lead. The shocks he
been selected as particularly illustrious.
has brought off with these tactics include Red Peril in the Settlers
What was announced last week – read the background
Trophy and milton in the Premier Trophy, both last year.
The concept has its roots in ancient Norse mythology with he could hardly believe his luck this time and exclaimed: “Were
valhalla, the hall of the fallen, where the god Odin would they mad letting my horse go like that?”
house the battle-slain warriors he deemed worthy of dwelling The stipes promptly summoned Richard Fourie, rider of odds-
with him. on made To Conquer and the leader of the “chasing” pack, to ask
Inspired by this legend, King Ludwig I of bavaria built two him to explain his riding. as they heard what he had to say, and
halls, Walhalla near Regensburg, completed in 1842 and Ru- looked again at the film of the race, they realised that there was
hmeshalle (or hall of Fame) in munich, which was completed no case to answer. From a long way out milton’s pursuers were
in 1853. The halls served as museums and contained plaques cooked as completely as a Sunday braai.
and statues of illustrious German-speaking people, including Fourie said: “If I could have sat closer I would have done so but
scientists, artists, and politicians. The meaning of "fame" has they (the three Justin Snaith runners) were unfit horses and they
changed over the years, originally meaning "renown" as op- had only had one 1 400m gallop.”
posed to today's more common meaning of "celebrity." Senior stipe Ernie Rodrigues, taking the writer through the film,
said: “Corne Orffer pinched the race at the 800m mark but the
The story continues here
rest were gone by the top of the straight.”
The wily Prestage now has his sights set on a second Premier on
December 15 while Snaith will split Durban July second and third
made To Conquer and Elusive Silva, and Cape Summer Stayers
winner Strathdon, between the Premier and the January 5 Penin-
sula handicap.
- www.goldcircle.co.za

– the first entries
De Kock starts with 6!
The R5 million Gr1 Sun Met will be run at Kenilworth on
26 January 2019 and an entry of 29 was received at first
entry stage on Wednesday 28 November 2018.
The list includes Sa horse Of The year and last year’s win-
ner Oh Susanna – one of a quintet from the Snaith yard.
mike de Kock has entered six including exciting buffalo bill
Cody and Saturday’s
Dingaans winner,
hawwaam.
ClICK heRe
to see the list of
entries
Follow the Sun
met ante-post
market on
hollywoodbets
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 7
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 8
news
Government Interference
adam’s apple of His eye!
In Horseracing?
Milnerton trainer Adam Marcus looks to have a very exciting
3yo on his hands in the form of Var galloper Vardy, who made
A Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister has described
it two from two when winning an MR 80 handicap at Kenil-
the Department Of Labour’s interest in horseracing as ‘very
worth on Wednesday.
strange’.
The athletic specimen ground his
Trainers countrywide have recently been inspected with re-
opposition into the dust to win going
gard to health and safety, workmen’s compensation and other
away and now looks to be a key con-
labour issues. Trainers have told the Sporting Post over recent
tender for honours in the R5 million
months that the inspectors appeared to have no interest in the
CTS mile on Sun met Day, 2019.
assistant Trainers or other staff, but were focussed entirely on
Son of international champion
matters related to Grooms.
jockey basil marcus, a thrilled adam
Well-known Cape Town Labour Lawyer michael bagraim, the
wrote on social media.
Da Shadow minister Of Labour, writes on www. businesslive.
“It was a magic day today at
co.za that he had the displeasure of attending a parliamentary Vardy | Chase Liebenberg Kenilworth as vardy showed his
labour portfolio committee meeting on national blitz inspec-
ability stepping up in class to remain undefeated in his first two
tions in the horse-racing industry.
starts. after a slow jump vardy was trailing the field coming for
he continues:
home but showed an incredible turn of foot to accelerate past
It is bewildering why this industry was targeted and took up
the field and win going away. Congratulations to all the owners
an enormous amount of time of the department of labour’s
mr bernard Kantor, Greg blank, Darryl yutar and Jimmy Sarkis I
inspectorate.
am very grateful to train for such wonderful owners that have
Over and above this, the portfolio committee decided to
allowed me to take my time. also a big thanks to Craig Zackey
have a series of meetings discussing this industry, which was
for the cool and well timed ride. vardy is by vaR out of the Jet
not only a waste of time and money but also very strange.
master mare Cupid and was bred by the Tawny Syndicate.”
as in all industries, the department of labour found certain
vardy was bought for R400 000 at the Cape Premier yearling
errors of noncompliance which were cleared up and sorted out
Sale.
before the final meeting of the committee. Read more here
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 9
SPORTING POST DIGEST • ThuRSDay 29 NOvEmbER 2018 10
internatiOnal
Can Oisin Beat The Bank? inner City Speed!
It is hard to imagine many more emotional victories at Sha Tin City centre racing moved a step closer to reality on
than if Beat The Bank were to win the Gr1 lONGINeS hong Kong Wednesday morning with a successful public trial at Aintree
Mile on 9 December. that got a thumbs-up from jockeys and trainers.
Owner vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in a helicopter accident on The project has been likened by its backers to 'cricket's Twen-
27 October outside the King Power Leicester City stadium – home ty20' for its possible effect on the sport's profile, and it is hoped
of the English football club the Thai businessman propelled to an the first meetings will take place next year.
incredible Premier League title in 2016. That will involve laying a temporary artificial surface – a
Football was not his only sporting passion, though. his interests three-furlong track was trialled at the Liverpool venue along-
also included a growing connection with racing in britain, with side the first five fences of the Grand National course.
andrew balding as his principal trainer. Three demonstration races were staged on Equaflow, which
“We had been talking about hong Kong for beat The bank for was used for equine events in Greenwich at the 2012 Olympics,
some time,” balding said. “vichai was so enthusiastic about the each involving eight horses racing at half-speed.
horse going there. To follow his wishes and to travel this horse over Jockey Dougie Costello said: "It's only been laid two days but
after what happened is very important for us.” it feels as though it's been there a long time, so it beds in really
Indeed, the LONGINES hong Kong mile was first suggested way quickly."
back in July after the specialist miler won the Gr2 Summer mile at Jason Watson added: "It walks a bit slower than it rides but
ascot. a dynamic late surge took the gelding to another G2 victory it rides really well, it's similar to Newcastle and possibly even
in Goodwood’s Celebration mile in august. better."
both wins came under Oisin murphy. The ace rider will be in The hope is that two races in city centres will take place next
the saddle again at Sha Tin and is banking on his mount’s fighting year, with the venues to be announced in January, and City
qualities against a top-class field of opponents, which includes the Racing chief executive Peter Phillips said: "This has been a good
world’s top-rated turf miler, beauty Generation. number of years in development, a lot of hard work has gone
“he is so tough,” murphy said. “he’s one of those horses who can on behind the scenes.
win even when things don’t go right.” "This is by no means the finished product. We’ll learn a lot
balding heads to Sha Tin off the back of his best ever season from this and today is primarily about reassurance, to show we
in britain – 122 wins and £2.57 million prize money, as well as an can race eight horses comfortably.”
extraordinary seven winners in one day. - Racing Post
Read more