Tempted? TRACK & BALL - GR2 OAKS / GR3 DERBY - Wednesday 08 July 2020 - Sporting Post
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Wednesday 08 July 2020
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Tempted?
TRACK & BALL - GR2 OAKS / GR3 DERBY
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Stay For The Day
With a switch from speed to stamina, the major weekend feature action is again at
Hollywoodbets Scottsville, where the newly upgraded Gr2 Track & Ball Oaks and the boys’
counterpart, the Gr3 Track & Ball Derby, will be run over 2400m.
The two races represent a last The decision, now accepted the traditional 3yo classic
bid to qualify for a Vodacom by the naysayers and purists, restriction. The decision was
Durban July berth, with was based on the rationale that supported by international
declarations closing on Mon- the main focus of 3yo’s during precedent, such as the Irish St
day and the final field and the SA Champions Season is, Leger and the Yorkshire Oaks.
draws due the following day. more often than not, the indi-
vidual sex’ Guineas, the Daily Further justification was seen
The Track and Ball Derby has News 2000, the Woolaving- in the fact that there are no
attracted a small classy field, ton Stakes and the Vodacom weight-for-age races in South
including a trio of July entries – Durban July. Africa over the distance and it
the two past Cape Derby was intended that the overall
winners in It’s My Turn, Eyes The lack of prestige meant programme for stayers would
Wide Open, and the De Kock that over the years the Derby benefit from the change.
raider Duke of Spin, who are and Oaks suffered and were
all in the big race mix. downgraded and battled to The Derby may lack for a pace
find a consistent place in the in view of the small field.
It’s an old debate already, but programme. It’s My Turn won the race in
Gold Circle made the bold 2018 and is now a 7yo. A
move in 2014 to open the KZN It was decided to try and classy sort and a past Equus
Derby and the KZN Oaks to enhance the quality and depth champion stayer.
all ages at weight-for-age plus of both races by opening them
penalty terms. up to all and move away from Dean Kannemeyer’s Dynasty
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returned with an eyecatching having his third run after a rest filly Pomander ran a huge race
fifth after a long rest. and with a stand-up jockey when finishing second to Sum-
booking in Anton Marcus he mer Pudding in the Gr1 SA
He will be more suited to could be worth considering. Oaks and based on a repeat of
Saturday’s trip and that, she must be the horse to
Kannemeyer said: ‘’He is doing Lonsdale winner Marchinonto- beat.
extremely well and I’m very gether is a progressive stayer
happy with him. I’ve had him and looks perfectly poised for Chitengo is favourite in the ear-
on the grass and expect a big a big run. ly exchanges and has beaten
run as we are aiming him at Pomander in the past. These
the Vodacom Durban July”. The Gr2 Track and Ball Oaks two look set to fight it out.
could see the Highveld raiders
Fourth-placed in the July last playing a major part. KZN Winter Challenge
year, Eyes Wide Open has not
been at his best of late but is Mike de Kock’s Flower Alley Johan Janse van Vuuren and
KZN Winter Challenge co-winner On The Double | Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Hollywoodbets sponsored 12th January to 2nd July. per a chance to compete for
former KZN champion a present-day above average
Duncan Howells will share the The three finals of the KZN stake of R75 000 per event.
first cheque in the 2020 KZN Winter Challenge will be run at Trainers get the chance to
Winter Challenge trainer’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville on earn an incentive bonus, on
incentive after their horses On Saturday as support features condition that their horses are
The Double and Special Blend to the Track & Ball Derby and pre-entered.
dead-heated for first on the log Track & Ball Oaks.
finalised last week. The first cheque is R28 500,
The finals – over 1200m, the runner-up is R14 000 and
Brett Crawford’s Kingston Rock 1600m and 1950m - are the the third place finisher gets R7
is in third spot in the culmination of a series that 500
competition that ran from gives the average handicap- See the final log here
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Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Milestones Of Magic
Winning Form-sponsored jockey Warren Kennedy has
earned the reputation as a Gr1 icebreaker.
Earlier this year he rode Paul Peter’s first. And on Saturday at
Hollywoodbets Scottsville, he rode Gareth van Zyl’s maiden Gr1 when
the undefeated Vernichey won a hard fought victory in the R325 000
Allan Robertson Championship.
It was a momentous race – Vernichey’s win made it 5 big ones at the same time riding his
also being a first Gr1 not only for her young 200th winner of a dream season.
conditioner, but also for her Gr1 winning sire
Vercingetorix (Silvano) – and her thrilled But all the credit belonged to Vercingetorix’
owners. smart daughter Vernichey (33-10), who made
it three straight wins down the Hollywoodbets
The national championship log-leader, jockey Scottsville speed strip when she fought on
Kennedy doubled his personal Gr1 tally to four courageously to thwart a powerful challenge
last Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville when by Sean Tarry raider Ecstatic Green (15-2) by a
winning the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge head in a time of 68,98 secs.
and the Woolavington 2000, and on Saturday
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Paul Matchett’s visitor War Of Athena (50-1), a
smart looking daughter of Act Of War, stayed
on well for third another 0,70 lengths back.
The much hyped favourite Winter Smoke (2-1)
was there for a long way, but had nothing to of-
fer late in the race and ran a 2,55 length fourth,
shading Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Delta
Queen into fifth.
Vernichey was bred in a partnership between
John Koster and the Birch family of Vogel Vlei
Vernichey is a second crop daughter of Silvano
Stud.
son Vercingetorix – an Equus Champion and
Gr1 Jebel Hatta winner. She is out of Captain
Colin Birch told the Sporting Post last month
Al’s three-time winning daughter, Pirate Queen
that Gareth van Zyl liked her in the inspection
– so hails from the Burst family.
phase but she went through the KZN Yearling
Sale ring unsold.
Unbeaten in three starts, Vernichey took her
stakes earnings to R328 125
“Gareth came to us and managed to put a
partnership together to purchase her for R125
Vercingetorix, whose first crop has thus far
000. She was a lovely filly and she has clearly
yielded 11 black type horses, including grad-
furnished beautifully. We are thrilled,” said the
ed stakes winners African Warrior and Ikigai,
veteran Dordrecht breeder previously.
has 18 lots on offer at the upcoming Emperors
Palace National Yearling Sale.
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Masters
Of Their
Art!
“Master Of My Fate’s
maiden Gr1 success ”
In a rare double feature exacta feat, Dennis Drier followed up on his Avontuur-bred
Godolphin Barb top-two finish of last month at the same venue with the duo of Tempting
Fate and Pray For Rain, when the ‘Medallion Man’ saddled his 8th Gr1 Golden Horse
Medallion winner on Saturday.
Drier described the winner as ‘the one horse The day proved a watershed moment for the
I wanted at the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Varsfontein sire Master Of My Fate (Jet
Sale and ‘a racehorse going places’. Master), who produced his first Gr1 winner,
having so far sired at least one graded stakes
And the superb son of Master Of My Fate winners in each of his three crops of racing
duly delivered, giving top Cape breeders age.
Avontuur a glorious Gr1 top two, and the
second success at that level after their On a happy day for a lethally effective
Rivarine won the Computaform Sprint a week trainer-owner-breeder-jockey partnership, Mr
earlier. Drier’s wife Gill even enjoyed some of the
accolades for being ‘the backbone’ of the
Part-owner Brian Airey was on course and powerful multiple champion winning yard, and
received acknowledgement as a lifelong for putting up with all of her legendary
friend and the man with the foresight to keep horseman husband’s ‘mmm’, in the words of
bidding on the winner after the Drier budget the enthusiastic Veale!
had been exhausted.
Riding strictly to instructions not to rush down
“I had no owner! A massive thanks to Briany,” the inside, but to stay in the middle of the
exclaimed a pleased as punch trainer. quick-running Capital City surface, Veale rode
a copybook race.
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Afterwards he described Tempting Fate as Vaughan Marshall’s February debut winner No
‘the best 2yo in the country’, proudly saying Laying Up (40-1) was a further 2,10 lengths
he was the only guy to ride him every day away in third.
and ‘hasn’t sat on a horse like this before’.
Cape raider Erik The Red (2-1) could do no
The contest panned out perfectly, with the better than a 5,10 lengths fourth.
winner’s talented stablemate Pray For Rain
showing lightning speed and leading the Dennis Drier trained both the sire and dam of
charge after the only filly, Slalom Queen had the Avontuur-bred winner, a R550 000 Cape
shown good pace. Premier Yearling Sale graduate, who took his
stakes bank to R303 750.
At the 300m Veale set Tempting Fate alight.
Lugging inwards, maybe as a result of being Tempting Fate is out of the super quick Gr3
green, he made momentary contact with Pray winning Var mare, Miss October, a full sister to
For Rain late, before surging away. Gr1 winner August Rush.
Tempting Fate (3-1) maintained his three
-from-three record and drew away to beat Master Of My Fate has 19 lots on the
Pray For Rain (15-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time upcoming Emperors Palace National Yearling
of 68,31 secs, in an all Drier affair. Sale.
Each lot ends 1 minute
after each other from
12h00.
If a bid is placed within 1 minute of a lot
ending, an extra 2 minutes will be added to
this lot – however it will not affect the next lot.
Deadlinae Click here to visit the new platform
Thursday, Inquiries may be addressed to:
Right!
Alistair Gordon: Mobile – +27(0)82 551 5462
/ Email: alistair@equine.co.za
The BSA July online sale Ashley de Klerk: Mobile – + 27(0)84 514
1723 / Email: ashley@equine.co.za
catalogue is now online and
bidding reaches a climax at Please visit the BSA website –
12h00 on Thursday. www.bsa.co.za for more information
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Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
What A Win!
Gavin Lerena and Sean Tarry’s fairer sex speed machine Celtic
Sea were the toast of Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday when
the duo produced the performance of the day when fighting back
from the gallows to defend their title in the R325 000 The Witness
Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint.
With a head separating the top three, the SA After her relatively easy victory in the 2019 re-
Fillies Sprint produced the highlight of a terrific newal, Celtic Sea made it look far harder work
day of speed. here as the free-striding Singforafa ran the
race of her life and looked a winner in the final
The 1200m contest was fought out by the stages.
expected pair of Celtic Sea and Cape star Run
Fox Run – with Corne Spies’ Singforafa playing But Lerena was giving the machine a chance
a starring role in the action-packed movie. to gather her senses after the halfway mark,
and she rallied powerfully at 11-12 to pip Run
In a three-way humdinger, Gavin Lerena drives Fox Run (2-1) and Singaforafa (16-1) in a time
Celtic Sea ahead of Run Fox Run(Anton Mar- of 67,73 secs.
cus, yellow cap) and Singforafa (Lyle Hewit-
son) in the SA Fillies Sprint (Pic – Candiese Fourth-placed True To Life was over 3 lengths
Lenferna) back in fourth.
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Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Triumphant trainer Sean Tarry modestly with 10 wins and 9 places from her 23 starts.
conceded that it ‘makes the job easy when you The Garden Province could be her next start –
have superstars like this to work with’. but it is ‘draw dependant’, according to Tarry.
“Gavin Lerena was as cool as a cucumber.
Another Gr1 victory for Anthony Beck in these
famous colours. I’m glad to have been able to
give Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein another
Gr1 too. It’s a privilege,” he added.
A relieved Gavin Lerena said that he didn’t
exactly ‘want to leave it till the last second’.
“She hit a flat spot at the 550m and I knew I
couldn’t force her. But she found her legs
inside the last 250m. Thanks to a great team
and wonderful collective effort,”he said.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein,
Celtic Sea is out of the two-time winner Ireland
(Mark Of Esteem).
A R325 000 National Yearling Sale graduate,
Celtic Sea took her stakes total to R2 999 392
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Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Tarry’s Golden Horses!
SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry seldom leaves a major raceday without a trophy and he
maintained the momentum when saddling a Gr1 double, including the winner of the R425
000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint for the second year running.
Callan Murray doesn’t ride a lot by a short head and carried a wins and 10 places from 24
of winners for Team Tarry, but handy 52,5kgs in recording the starts.
the Ridgemont fastest time of the four 1200m
Highlands-sponsored rider Gr1 races – 67,49 secs – on He was bred by Lammerskraal
made no mistakes when the afternoon. Stud from the Badger Land
getting the better of a titanic mare, Bardot, who won five
final stages duel with Ultra Cape star Kasimir was a 1,10 times from a mile to 2000m.
Magnus when steering length margin away in third.
Warrior’s Rest to a surprise win He joins Clouds Unfold (Gr1
for many. This was Drakenstein Stud’s Bidvest Majorca Stakes) and
multiple Equus Champion Russet Air (Gr1 Cape Flying
The race proved an exciting What A Winter’s third Gr1 Championship) as Gr1 winners
climax to the popular annual winner this season. for What A Winter this season.
Gr1 jackpot and the 18-1 shot,
one of five Tarry runners in the A R900 000 2016 CTS Ready What A Winter has 26 lots on
eleven strong field. To Run Sale graduate, offer at the upcoming
Warrior’s Rest took his Emperors Palace National
Warrior’s Rest got the verdict earnings to R893 876 with 6 Yearling Sale.
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Image Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Katak – Easy Again!
The unfolding Katak fairytale highlighted a superb afternoon of racing at Kenilworth on
Tuesday as the Ridgemont-Highlands bred son of Potala Palace cruised to a facile victory
in the R125 000 Abe Bloomberg Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes.
On the same day that the De Cheyne, who is sponsored nearby refinery possibly being
Kock’s bid adieu to their Aus- by the winning breeders the cause.
tralia-bound superstar Haw- Ridgemont Highlands, losing
waam, South African racing his one stirrup iron about 350m Greg Cheyne, who was orig-
upped the ante on its newest out. inally engaged to ride Cane
love affair with the 3yo that Lime ‘n Soda, said that there
nobody wanted, and only cost Katak beat the consistent and had been lots of confusion with
the equivalent of a few months more experienced Super Silva- the jockey confirmations.
keep. no (12-1) by an academic and
unextended three quarters of a The East Cape Champion and
His name is Katak – and now length in a time 114,42 secs. former July winning rider has
unbeaten in four starts, he sat on a few decent ones in his
made short work of his ten Trainer Piet Steyn caused time and said that Katak was
opponents when winning the some alarm amongst the big not extended or ‘at his top’.
1800m feature at short odds. horse’s supporters when he
announced prior to the race The fact that the meeting was
The victory was achieved that he had cast himself in his delayed, mixed with the SA
despite a nervous moment box early on Monday morn- Champions Season commit-
replacement jockey Greg ing – a tragic explosion at the ments of the top jockeys and
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the lockdown restrictions on R200 000. three time winner, Sapphire
travel, resulted in a shortage of Silk.
jockeys at the meeting. Katak has now earned R234
375 in his unblemished four Part-owner Marsh Shirtliff, or
Trainer Piet Steyn said that starts. Mr Pocket Power to many,
there was a fair chance that could fancy his chances of
Katak may go for the 2400m The Ridgemont-Highlands enjoying the rare privilege of
third leg of the series on 27 bred Katak, a second crop son owning two Cape Winter Triple
July, thus emulating Pocket of Ridgemont-Highlands Crown winners.
Power and African Night Sky Singspiel Gr1 winner Potala
– and picking up the bonus of Palace, is out of the Windrush
Image Credit: Chase Liebenberg
He Is Up To A 109!
Katak has had his official merit The Handicappers were of first time) goes up from 81 to
rating increased by the NHRA the view that 3rd placed Silver 95, while 5th placed Captain
from 99 to 109 after he record- Host made for the most suit- Flinders was raised from 85 to
ed a fourth win from as many able line horse. Accordingly, 93.
appearances in the Grade 3 his rating remains unaltered on
Abe Bloomberg Legal Eagle 102, but runner-up Super Sil- The only drop was for Cane
Stakes - formerly known as the vano goes up from 102 to 105. Lime ‘n Soda, who is down
Winter Classic - for three-year- In other increases, 4th placed from 94 to 92.
olds. B(who sported blinkers for the
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To Go
The weights for the 2020 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July were published on Tuesday, with Gr3
Cup Trial winner Capoeira supplemented at the last access stage for the big race.
This leaves 27 hopefuls heading into final declarations cut-off at 11h00 on Monday, 13 July
The Final Field is subject to NHRA approval and twenty horses will be carded – that is, 18 runners plus
2 reserves. The Reserves to be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 24 July.
A reminder that the elimination, if any, will be at the sole and unfettered discretion of Gold Circle.
The entries:
Rainbow Bridge (5G) 60 134 A Eric Sands
Vardy (4G) 60 134 A Adam Marcus
Do It Again (5G) 59.5 133 A Justin Snaith
Soqrat (AUS) (4C) 59 132 A Mike de Kock
Twist Of Fate (4C) 56.5 127 BA Adam Marcus
Bunker Hunt (4G) 55 124 A Justin Snaith
Tierra Del Fuega (4C) 55 124 A Sean Tarry
Belgarion (4G) 53 119 A Justin Snaith
Got The Greenlight (3C) 53 118 AT Joe Soma
It's My Turn (7G) 53 118 A Dean Kannemeyer
Divine Odyssey (5G) 53 117 A J A Janse van Vuuren
Shango (3C) 53 116 BAT Sean Tarry
Capoeira (4G) 53 115 BA Andre Nel
Eyes Wide Open (5G) 53 115 A Glen Kotzen
Golden Ducat (3G) 53 115 A Eric Sands
Hero's Honour (5G) 53 115 A Gary Alexander
Padre Pio (3G) 53 115 A Dennis Bosch
Pack Leader (5G) 53 111 BA Glen Kotzen
Tristful (4G) 53 109 A Tony Rivalland
Western Fort (3C) 53 108 CA Paul Peter
Duke Of Spin (4G) 53 101 A Mike de Kock
Sovereign Spirit (4G) 53 100 BA Candice Bass-Robinson
Silvano's Pride (4F) 52 118 A Justin Snaith
Miyabi Gold (5M) 52 115 A Justin Snaith
Victoria Paige (3F) 52 112 AM Sean Tarry
Roy's Riviera (AUS) (5M) 52 111 BA Frank Robinson
Camphoratus (5M) 52 110 A R A Hill/ S R Hill
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DOING IT FOR THE
Punters!
It’s definitely not a one day game, but the Sporting Post national tipping panel produced
some fireworks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
The new initiative, aimed at owner by a short head when Sporting Post was in third
bringing the various form-guide Warrior’s Rest pipped Ultra position.
publications together on one Magnus in the Gr1 Golden
platform, with a few wildcards Horse Sprint, Gold Circle’s Computaform’s Germaine
in the mix, proved a success Graeme Hawkins struck with Maharaj, Gold Circle’s Andrew
on the opening raceday. seven winners tipped on the Harrison and the Cape-based
ten-race programme. Kingpin also tipped three
All the eight tipsters winners each.
nominated Celtic Sea for first Despite his red-hot form,
and she proved the right Hawkins was beaten to the line The points allocation is based
banker selection when winning by Winning Form, who tipped on a weighting of the finishing
the SA Fillies Sprint for the three winners, including the position and dividend of the
second consecutive year. Golden Horse Sprint trifecta of 1-2-3 selections in each race.
5-10-9, which paid R 1141-90
Besides being denied a for a R1 outlay. Thanks to everybody who
maiden Gr1 success as an participated.
Follow the guide on www.sporting post.co.za
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Image Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Celtic Sea Stays At 126
After another busy weekend of feature racing, the National Horseracing Authority
handicapping team have provided their reports on the merit rating adjustments.
Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint track was running very fast on The Witness Gr1 South
the day and that this suited African Fillies Sprint
CELTIC SEA remains un- the very speedy SINGFORA-
changed on 126 after she FA to the point where she is CELTIC SEA remains
grabbed a last stride success probably a little flattered to unchanged on 126 after she
in the Grade 1 South African have found herself in a three- grabbed a last stride success
Fillies Sprint over 1200m at way photo finish with the two in the Grade 1 South African
Scottsville on Saturday. The highest rated runners in the Fillies Sprint over 1200m at
Handicappers took the view race. Scottsville on Saturday. The
that the 122-rated runner-up Handicappers took the view
RUN FOX RUN was the best There was an increase also that the 122-rated runner-up
line horse to use in assessing for 6th placed LINEAR, who RUN FOX RUN was the best
this Weight-For-Age contest ran well above her rating in line horse to use in assessing
and as such her rating re- this high class field and who this Weight-For-Age contest
mains unchanged. In rating goes up from 92 to 97. There and as such her rating re-
the race this way, CELTIC SEA were drops for three horses. mains unchanged. In rating
also runs to 122. MISS FLORIDA is down from the race this way, CELTIC SEA
105 to 102, TRAVELLING also runs to 122.
3rd placed SINGFORAFA was LIGHT drops from 97 to 95,
raised from 116 to 119. She and WINTER SUN goes from 3rd placed SINGFORAFA was
in fact runs to 121, but the 95 to 93. raised from 116 to 119. She
Handicappers were cognisant in fact runs to 121, but the
of the fact that the Scottsville Handicappers were cognisant
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of the fact that the Scottsville three horses received a drop. Listed World Sports Betting
track was running very fast on MORE MAGIC was trimmed East Cape Derby
the day and that this suited from 102 to 101, TILBURY
the very speedy FORT drops from 112 to 109, AMERICAN PRINCESS
SINGFORAFA to the point and HERODOTUS is down to remains unchanged on a
where she is probably a little 107 from 109. rating of 90 following her win
flattered to have found herself in the World Sports Betting
in a three-way photo finish Gr3 Jubilee Handicap East Cape Derby over 2400m
with the two highest rated at Fairview (turf track) on
runners in the race. DIVINE ODYSSEY has had Friday 3 July. 3rd placed
his rating increased from 114 MISS LA DEE DA (a proven
There was an increase also to 117 after he won the Gr3 stayer with a win over 2500m
for 6th placed LINEAR, who Jubilee Handicap over 1800m to her name) was deemed
ran well above her rating in at Turffontein (standside track) to be the most suitable line
this high class field and who on Sunday 5 July. Here, it horse and remains unaltered
goes up from 92 to 97. There was decided that 3rd placed on 78. In rating the race this
were drops for three horses. FULL MAST made for the best way, the winner runs to 89
MISS FLORIDA is down from line horse, but as he carried and hence the reason for her
105 to 102, TRAVELLING 0.5 kg overweight his rating unchanged rating.
LIGHT drops from 97 to 95, goes up from 101 to 102.
and WINTER SUN goes from Runner-up MARSHALL FOCH Runner-up ROCK ALOE was
95 to 93. (who was 1 pound under given a slight increase from
sufferance) goes up from 98 91 to 92, while 4th placed
to 100. AUGUST LEAVES was raised
Gr3 World Sports Betting from 80 to 83. There were no
Cup Trial No other horses received a other increases, but two
ratings increase, but there horses received a drop.
CAPOEIRA has had his rating were several drops. BLUSHING BRIDE was
raised from 110 to 115 PERFECT TIGRESS goes trimmed from 82 to 81, while
following his victory in the from 106 to 105, LEOPOLD is BHALTAIR goes from 97 to 95.
Grade 3 World Sports Betting down from 108 to 106,
Cup Trial (handicap) over D’ARRIVEE was cut from 106 The Handicappers noted that,
1750m at Scottsville on Satur- to 105, DAWN ASSAULT goes while BHALTAIR had won his
day. Here, it was decided that from 115 to 114, and lastly penultimate start, that was in
4th placed PACK LEADER ALIBI GUY drops from 101 to a novice plate where he only
made for the most suitable 98. ran to a rating of 82, and as
line horse and his rating such were happy to give him
remains unchanged on 111. a drop only two runs later.
Runner-up NEXUS was raised
from 105 to 107, while fourth
placed SOVEREIGN SPIRIT
(who was 3 pounds under
sufferance and carried 0.5 kg
overweight) was raised from
95 to 100. There were no
other ratings increases, but
Divine Odyssey wins the Jubilee | Image Credit: JC Photos
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Warrior & A Master’s
Gr1 Gold
A first Gr1 winner is a significant Klawervlei-bred, she was in fact foaled
landmark in the career of any sire and this and raised at the famous Vogel Vlei Stud,
who took over her dam Pirate Queen from
past weekend, not one, but two young
John Koster after breeding a couple of
stallions got off the mark at foals in partnership.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
Champion Vercingetorix broke through when his Experience over the track stood the gritty
juvenile daughter Vernichey prevailed in a thrilling filly in good stead, as both previous starts
finish to the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, were at the Pietermaritzburg track. An
while Master Of My Fate’s handsome son Tempting impressive four-length winner on debut in
Fate captured the Gr1 Golden Horse Medallion. January, she lifted her game to register a
first stakes win in the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes
Still undefeated in three starts, Vernichey is a first in June.
Gr1 winner for both her sire and young trainer
Gareth van Zyl, who had purchased her from From a fine Australian family, Vernichey’s
vendors Birch Brothers at last year’s KwaZulu-Natal third dam is the outstanding juvenile Burst,
Yearling Sale. Although registered as a whose three Gr1 wins included the ‘Holy
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Grail’ of Australian two-year-old races, the Beaten just once when a troubled fifth in the
Golden Slipper. Gr1 J&B Met, a tendon injury brought a
premature end to his career and he was retired
Vercingetorix joined his sire Silvano at Maine to birthplace Varsfontein Stud. He made quite a
Chance Farms in 2015 as an undefeated splash as the leading freshman sire by number
classic winner and a Gr1 winner in Dubai. He is of winners with eight winning two-year-olds, no
out of a National Assembly mare from a mean feat, considering he never raced at two.
sprinting female line, factors which probably
contributed to his cracking start at stud. Tempting Fate is certainly an overdue first Gr1
Leading freshman sire by number of wins, winner for the Varsfontein stallion, considering
twelve of his first-crop juveniles found the first-crop son Twist Of Fate, a classic winner of
winner’s circle and numbered three stakes the Gr2 KRA Guineas, ran second in both the
winners in African Warrior (Gr2), Viking Moon Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Daily News 2000
and Hooves Of Troy. This season, Gr2 Gauteng and put up arguably his most impressive effort
Guineas hero Ikigai joined that tally, while to date when third in the 2019 Gr1 Vodacom
Padre Pio just missed out on Gr1 glory when Durban July. Second-crop daughter Driving
second in the Daily News 2000. Miss Daisy has also come agonisingly close,
with seconds in the Gr1 Cape Fillies
On his achievements to date, Vercingetorix Guineas, Paddock Stakes and most recently,
has all the makings of a top stallion and looks the Woolavington 2000.
a likely successor to his illustrious sire, who is
now in the twilight of his career. Also sire of the fleet-footed but ill-fated Gr2 SA
Fillies Nursery victress Basadi Faith, Master
Master Of My Fate succeeded in his quest Of My Fate has shown he is capable of siring
when third-crop son Tempting Fate followed runners who both sprint and stay. Already a
up on his Gr3 Godolphin Barb score to win the top-ten stallion, his future looks assured.
Medallion in the manner of a future star. The
unbeaten colt’s victory also put the gloss on a
remarkable 24 hours for his sire and followed
hot on the heels of paternal half-sister
American Princess’ classic success in the
Listed East Cape Derby at Fairview.
Tempting Fate undoubtedly inherited his turn
of foot from his dam, the 1000m specialist Miss
October, a Gr3-winning own sister by Var to the
Gr1 Mercury Sprint hero August Rush. The colt
is the eighth Gold Medallion winner trained by
Dennis Drier, who also put the finishing
touches on Master Of My Fate.
As imposing an individual as his legendary
sire, the son of Jet Master and champion
Promisefrommyheart looked destined for the
top when he reeled off six consecutive wins
capped by a peerless Gr2 double in the
Premier Trophy and Peninsula Handicap.
25v
Image Credit: J C Photos
July – Then Stud For Soqrat
One of the very best of his generation, the Australian-bred treble Gr1 winner Soqrat is
set for a swansong appearance in Africa’s greatest horseracing event, the Gr1 Voda-
com Durban July, before standing his freshman season at the Armitage family’s Sand-
own Stud in the Western Cape.
A 3 x Gr1 winner under the Soqrat’s successes at the province when winning the
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al highest level included a facile Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes at
Maktoum and Mike de Kock victory in the Gr1 Premier’s Turffontein.
banner from 1160m to 1800m Champion Stakes over a mile
in a career that spanned his as a 2yo, when he had fellow A horse who competed at the
2yo to 4yo seasons, the 2020 July prospect Twist Of highest level with distinction,
handsomely athletic Fate, well beaten. Soqrat was narrowly
Grandson of Danehill had the second in all of SA’s
honour of achieving a He then went on to again prestigious weight-for-age
superior rating to his defeat Twist Of Fate and 2020 mile, the Gr1 L’Ormarins
internationally-bound Sun Met winner One World Queen’s Plate behind SA
champion stablemate in the prestigious Gr1 Cape Horse Of The Year Do It
Hawwaam in his final season. Guineas five months later, Again, the 1800m Gr1
before following up with his Champions Cup behind
An Equus Champion 2yo, first success in his home Sun Met winner and current
26v
Durban July favourite Rain- graded victories were of those freakish horses –
bow Bridge, and in the 2000m achieved on four different left he works, runs, eats and is
Gr1 Summer Cup, when and right-handed turf sound as a bell. He just does
going down under a half racetracks across the length the job.”
length to Zillzaal, to whom he and breadth of South Africa,
was conceding 7,5kgs. from a mile to 1800m and was Soqrat is sired by Commands
twice second in Gr1 company stallion Epaulette, whose
At his most recent start, over 2000 m Multiple wins included the Gr1 Golden
Soqrat went second to champion trainer Mike de Rose and Gr1 Doomben Ten
Hawwaam in the Gr1 Kock is on record as Thousand. He is out of the
Premier’s Champions suggesting that Soqrat dual winning Hussonet mare
Challenge. shouldn’t have stayed on Elzeeza, and is from the
breeding. immediate family of French
Currently the third-highest 2000 Guineas and champion
rated active racehorse in Afri- “He’s by Epaulette, who is a sire Linamix.
ca at 132, Soqrat’s sprinting sire. He’s just one
27v
Happy Birthday,
Rodney
The name Rodney Dunn takes any regular racegoer back in
time to the happier days of Cape racing, when the pre-Met
Cocktails & Racing was an institution that nobody missed
and the ethos and love of the game just seemed like the
only things that really mattered.
Rodney celebrates his 74th sentimental issues of racing, Rodney started riding horses
birthday today and the Rodney Dunn’s passion and at the age of 11 for trainer
Sporting Post Sprint chat- enthusiasm is sorely missed. Charlie Luyt and rode work
ted to him at his Camps Bay at his beloved Kenilworth
home.He suffers from As a board member of the Racecourse before going to
emphysema and only has Western Province Owners and school.
17% lung capacity. Trainers Association for over
three decades, Rodney was After 92 years of service to
“It’s lovely to hear a voice the unsung hero of Western Cape Racing, WPOTA closed
from the past and to know Province racing. During those down in 2013 as part of the
that somebody is still thinking years he was dedicated to arrangement for Kenilworth
of me,” he said as he uplifting and strengthening Racing to go forward with a
apologised for being low-key racing in his home province. new board, with Phumelela
and sometimes inaudible as a His list of achievements is a as managers and the National
result of his breathing. lengthy one, right down to Horseracing Trust as
Rodney is on oxygen 24/7. He being the architect of the guardians of the sport.
sounds philosophically Cape Racing Hall Of Fame.
positive, even while The establishment of the
conceding that his quality of He was also heavily involved Racing Association in the
life is greatly diminished. in the promotion of Kenilworth Western Cape took the place
Racing to many overseas of WPOTA.
“I don’t go out anymore. people from England,
Besides Covid-19, I couldn’t Ireland and Europe. He took Rodney has played no further
cope anyway. I still watch the the initiative of promoting the part.
horseracing on television and J&B Met through the WPOTA
try and follow it. And I Charity evenings and J&B Met The Newcastle United
maintain my business Sweepstake for over twenty supporter and his wife Joy,
interests too. It’s not easy, but glorious years. The creation of together with daughter
we have to play the cards we the Honours Boards and the Catherine, and sons Michael
are dealt, my boy.” Grade 1 photo galleries and and Andrew, will have a cup
the tribute to Pocket Power of tea and a piece of cake
In an age where we don’t were also his initiatives. today to mark a milestone.
seem to have any ‘go to’
person on the softer It’s a little known fact that Best wishes Rodney.
28Making The v
Rules
The Cheveley Stud champion Legislate delivered his
second first-crop winner on Sunday, when his cleverly
named 2yo daughter Toto scored an emphatic win at
Turffontein. Then on Tuesday at Kenilworth he
celebrated his third in short time when the unfancied
Veronica Mars popped up late to win on debut. She
was bred by Cheveley from the Captain Al mare,
Earth’s Orbit. The four time Gr1 winning son of
Dynasty has had seven first crop runners who have
either won or finished in the money. Legislate won six
graded races, and set a course record for a mile at
Kenilworth, during a career which saw him earn over
R5,7 million in stakes.
Speed Merchants
Dennis Drier and SA champion trainer Sean Tarry are the undisputed kings of Hollywood-
bets Scottsville and after last Saturday the duo took their Gr1 achievements at the KZN
Capital City track to new heights. Drier registered his 11th Gr1 victory at Hollywoodbets
Scottsville overall when winning the Golden Horse Medallion, while Tarry made it twelve
Gr1 triumphs at the track after his double with Celtic Sea (SA Fillies Sprint) and Warrior’s
Rest (Golden Horse Sprint).
Joshua – Then &
Now
He only rode his first career winner just
over seven months ago, but Cape-based
Joshwin Solomons has made massive
strides in 2020 and rode his maiden feature
winner at Kenilworth on Tuesday – includ-
ing a double on the day. The son of senior
jockey Morne Winnaar partnered Hello
Winter Hello for Adam Marcus to a good
win in the Cordocelli Listed Olympic Duel
Stakes - and then went all the way on
Savea in the ninth. The latter is owned by
the day’s sponsor Robert Bloomberg and
29 trained by Paddy Kruyer.v
Eagle On
Pension
Dual SA Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle
has been retired to the luxurious
Evening Manor paddocks in Port
Elizabeth. One of South Africa’s great
milers of this century, Legal Eagle, a son
of July winner Greys Inn, was bred by
Avontuur and won 15 races for stakes
of over R12 million.
Aussie Lockdown
The Covid-19 lockdown continues to play havoc
everywhere. The latest update to coronavirus-re-
lated restrictions in Melbourne and the NSW/Victo-
ria impending border closure has seen Racing NSW
move to ban any Victorian horses from being
transferred to stables or race north of the Murray
River. It comes as Racing Victoria confirmed owners
that reside within restricted areas will not be
permitted to attend a racetrack in Victoria until
otherwise advised, and no owners will be allowed
at meetings that are conducted within the locked
down area which factors in 11 racecourses.
Only Fair?
A suggestion has been mooted that
‘outside’ jockeys be prohibited from
A Turn Off travelling to PE, without a residence
qualification in future. This could be a
gamechanger for the jockeys who
Tellytrack’s seemingly ongoing ride work there and never get
obsession with fantasy racing chances. And lockdown travel
overnight is puzzling. It has never restrictions have shown that most
been promoted, nobody knows anybody can ride winners on the
anything about it, our readers have right horses. This could see a fairer
slated it – yet it persists. Nothing spread of income and more depth on
changes. the national jockey log.
30v
Love Me – Love
My Dog!
The absence of the regular big-hitting out-of-town jockeys in the Eastern Cape has
created great opportunities for the lesser acclaimed riders. And a man taking the
gap with both hands is one Shadlee Luke Fortune, who registered a career
milestone at Fairview last Friday.
The 23 year old Capetonian, at heart, Shadlee is loving life rebuild. I’m enjoying some
who grew up on the unforgiv- in ‘the Bay’ and working hard good support and the local
ing streets of Elsies River in on building his confidence racing people are warm and
the Cape, told the Sporting after sustaining a race-riding hospitable,” adds the rider
Post that he was grabbing injury late last year. who has ‘no weight issues’
the reins with both hands and and goes to scale at 53kgs
was determined to make a He found himself laid low max.
serious go of a career that through the recovery period,
started with his first ever race and then Covid-19 struck. The animal lover misses one
ride on Kings Gold at Clair- aspect of Cape Town – his
wood in September 2013. “It was a tough few months beloved ‘baby, Bloo’.
and a low start to 2020. But
While a genuine Capetonian I’m glad I moved up here to “I love my dog! He is spoilt
31v
and I have to phone him now weren’t speaking to his Cape unlimited ambition and age
and again. He also watches champion jockey cousin, Aldo on my side,” he points out
me ride. Domeyer, when we rang him. modestly.
As long as the family feed him “Aldo used to let me answer Top Cape jockey Aldo
his cheese every evening, he his phone. And most people Domeyer, who was a massive
is content,” he laughs. thought they were speaking to hit in Hong Kong too, once
him,” he laughs, as he tells us told us that his younger
At Fairview, Shadlee rides that he is proud to be cousin would do very well and
work at the Alan associated with the famous added rather modestly
Greeff and Grant that he ‘reminds me a
Paddock yards, and lot of myself.’
tells us that he goes
wherever else ‘they Shadlee decided at the
will have me’. age of 6 that he wanted
to be a jockey. Uncle
His two winners last Andrew apparently
Friday were for Grant walked in one day after
Paddock (Varsity races and the young
Bourbon) and the man looked up at him
Alan Greeff feature and said, ‘that’s it!’
success with
American Princess. The young Fortune
completed his junior
It was Shadlee’s schooling at Claremont
second straight win Primary, and then went
on the Master Of My on to SACS before
Fate filly – and his leaving for the SA
maiden career stakes Jockey Academy at the
success, after he won end of Grade 9.
the Diamond Stayers
at Flamingo Park in He was part of the
2018 on Sea Bean. same intake as Tristan
Godden, last
“American Princess Saturday’s Gr1 Golden
is top-class. She won Horse Sprint winning
so well, and she won’t rider Callan Murray, and
stop here, in my opinion. I Fortune family. Matthew Thackeray.
looked back on her form and “Being a Fortune has its pro’s
she has won from 1400m to and cons. As it probably does Shadlee’s first winner came at
2400m. So she is above aver- in most families. Most of the his 16th ride aboard National
age and she really gives me a time people are pleasant. Forest for Hekkie Strydom at
great feel,” he added proudly. When it doesn’t, I remind Fairview.
them that I am my own
He has clearly matured person. Now I have to just Cousin Aldo rode in the same
substantially in the seven focus on being half as good race.
years since we last chatted, as my SA Champion Uncle
and we had to make sure we Andrew and my cousin. I have “At the pull up I heard
32v
somebody screaming my tells us that he enjoys being at through curtailing raiding
name. I turned and saw Aldo home and is no party animal jockeys, he does concede
showing me a thumbs up with - and says that he is working that the fact that the jockeys
a broad smile and he couldn’t hard on getting his career on that are doing the work in
stop congratulating me and track. the mornings are riding the
said that he was proud of me. winners, is a major inspiration
The fact that the local jockeys and confidence builder.
Then my Uncle Granville are getting more chances due
(Cupido) was on course, as to the lockdown are “Marc Deetlifs will be doing
he had a runner on the day. something of a well-timed my rides from next season
Having them both there to godsend. and I am determined to boot
share my joy made the home more winners. I’d
moment for me. It was very While he wouldn’t be drawn also love to try and secure a
emotional,” recalls Shadlee. into the discussion that a sponsor too – but is that a bit
better balance could be cheeky to ask?” he laughs
He turns 24 on 26 August and achieved in the riding ranks shyly.
painful and uncomfortable,
We reported last week that my eyes watered. I wasn’t
KZN jockeys were up in arms tested again before I rode
after a seemingly simple last Saturday. I received
request to have incoming my positive test on Monday
jockeys tested properly was afternoon at 5pm, two days
declined by the Racing after the race meeting.
Executive.
Jockeys & Covid-19: The National Horseracing
NHA Question Marks Turf Talk reports this that Authority swiftly sent out the
Bernard Fayd’herbe has following statement, appar-
tested negative for Covid-19 ently via a whatsapp mes-
The South African racing in Durban just a few days after sage: ‘the NHA advises that
regulator owes the public and he had to stand down (name withheld) have (sic)
stakeholders an explanation following a ‘positive’ result returned positive Covid-19
for the potential confusion, obtained after a test he’d Genetic results. He is feeling
embarrassment and fear done in Cape Town. healthy, showing no current
being sown by a gross lack symptoms & are (sic) unlike-
of communication and clear He , by request of the NHA, ly to get sick. Any person
process with regards to had himself tested in Cape that has come into contact
jockey Covid-19 ‘positives’. Town before flying to Durban, with him should self-isolate
and received a CV-19 positive if showing any symptoms
The National Horseracing result three days after he’d themselves. The Jockey
Authority’s seemingly ridden at last week’s Greyville room & areas surrounding is
denialist stance extends to meeting. currently been disinfected’.
many facets of the industry,
but the coronavirus can be “The drive-through test was Read more here
life and death stuff and is no awful. They pushed a long
laughing matter. swab up my nose and it was
33Louis The King (SAF) v
SOUTH AFRICAN TRIPLE CROWN WINNER
STUD FEE R5000
LIVE FOAL
G1 GOLDMINE 20/20 MATINGS AND
TRUENICKS A+ MATINGS - FREE SERVICE
LAST YEAR’S SALES AVERAGE: R120 000
(MORE THAN 10X HIS SERVICE FEE)
PROMISING START FOR HIS 2YOS,
FROM ONLY 4 RUNNERS, 1 WINNER, 1 STAKES PLACED
MORE TO COME
FROM HIS EXCITING
3 YEAR OLD CROP!
SORRENTO STUD KERRY JACK
(+27) 84 458 3859 (+27) 82 782 7297
34
mwsorren@mweb.co.za kerryjackbloodstock@gmail.comv
The remarkable Pivotal, who was covering Firmly established as one of the world’s
mares this season at the advanced age of elite broodmare sires, Pivotal has been
Champion Broodmare Sire in GB/Ireland
27, continues to make his presence felt
in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and he looks
on major races around the world. on track to record another title this year.
Pivotal’s daughter, Pikaboo, is responsible for this Love joins top sprinter, Golden Horde
season’s brilliant Irish filly, Love (Galileo) who (Lethal Force) as a flag bearer for Pivotal
landed her third Gr1 race when she romped home as a broodmare sire in 2020, with
to a facile nine length win in Saturday’s Gr1 Golden Horde making a big impression
Investec Oaks. when landing the Gr1 Commonwealth
Cup at Royal Ascot recently.
Sent off the 11-10 favourite for the Oaks, Love (a
fourth Epsom Oaks winner for her dominant sire) Love is out of Pivotal’s very successful
was making it a classic double with the filly having broodmare daughter Pikaboo (herself
captured the Gr1 Qipco 1000 Guineas in June. Love a non winner), who has now produced
is the second filly in as many years sired by four group winners (three to the cover of
Galileo out of a Pivotal mare to land the 1000 Galileo, one to the cover of the
Guineas, with Hermosa (a full-sister to Cape sire, somewhat less heralded, Lucky Story),
The United States, and dual G1 winner, Hydrangea) with the tally headed by Love (her dam’s
victorious in the 2019 Qipco 1000 Guineas. first Gr1 winner). Pikaboo is also
responsible for Love’s group winning
Pivotal mares have also enjoyed marked success own sisters, Peach Tree (Stanerra
when mated to Galileo’s most brilliant racehorse Stakes) and Flattering (Munster Oaks),
son, Frankel, with the unbeaten champion already as well as Gr2 Duchess Of Cambridge
responsible for a pair of Gr1 winners out of Pivotal Stakes winner, Lucky Kristale.
mares, namely four time G1 winner and young sire,
Cracksman, as well as Gr1 Falmouth Stakes However, Pivotal’s success this year
heroine, Veracious. Love is not the first Oaks winner ranges considerably further than his
with a ‘Pivotal’ connection, with the former King’s daughters. Himself the sire of 150 black
Stand Stakes/Nunthorpe Stakes winner also the sire type winners (and a further 80 plus black
of 2009 Oaks winner, Sariska. type horses), Pivotal’s sons having also
35v
made their presence felt in Jean-Luc Lagardere winner G3 Betfair Supports Racing
2020 already. was responsible for his fourth Welfare
G1 winner when his daughter, Palace House Stakes.
His gelded son, Addeybb, Dream And Do, won the
won both the Gr1 Ranvet Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pivotal’s impact in 2020
Stakes and Gr1 Longines Pouliches (French 1000 extends to Italy, where his
Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Guineas) earlier this year. dual Gr1 winning grandson,
Australia before running a Twilight Son (Kyllachy), cur-
commendable second in Another son of Pivotal, rently heads the Leading 1st
the Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Season Sires List for 2020.
Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Lockinge/Champion Stakes Twilight Son had his first
his best sire son, to date, winner, Farhh, has also done group winner on Sunday,
Siyouni, continues to go from well this year as the sire of the when his two-year-old
strength to strength. Currently now retired Far Above, daughter, Aria Importante,
the Leading Sire in France winner of four of only five won the Gr3 Premio Primi
by earnings, the former Prix starts, including the 2020 Passi.
is just behind G1 Grand Prix Chantilly on Sunday, July
de Saint-Cloud victor Way To 5 was also the scene of a
Paris (72) in the standings Classic double-header, with
for both Cartier Horse of the Mishriff (32) recording a
Year and Cartier Older Horse. smooth triumph in the G1
Prix du Jockey Club (French
Cartier Update On Saturday, July 4 Epsom Derby) for Newmarket-based
Downs played host to a John Gosden. The G1 Prix
Sandown Park on Sunday, special programme featuring de Diane Longines (French
July 5 saw the reappearance two Classics - the G1 Oaks) went to Fancy Blue
of the amazing Enable (16), Investec Derby and G1 (48), handing a first
who was crowned Cartier Investec Oaks. The Investec Classic success to 21-year-
Horse of the Year in 2017 Derby saw an amazing old Donnacha O’Brien in his
and 2019. all-the-way success for first season as a trainer. Love
Serpentine (32), who leads the Cartier Three-Year-
The six-year-old mare, handed trainer Aidan O’Brien Old filly division.
homebred by owner a record eighth victory in the
Khalid Abdullah and trained mile and a half Classic. There is little change in the
by John Gosden, was Cartier Stayer division, which
making her first appearance It was an Epsom Classic is still headed by the great
in almost nine months and double for the Coolmore Stradivarius (32), who won
ran a fine race as she went team, with Love (64) the his third G1 Gold Cup at
down by two and a quarter hugely impressive Royal Ascot last month. The
lengths to Godolphin’s nine-length winner of the six-year-old was crowned
Ghaiyyath (70) in the G1 Investec Oaks. The daughter Cartier Stayer in 2018 and
Coral-Eclipse. It was a of Galileo is now a dual 2019 and is set to head to
second success at the Classic heroine, having Goodwood next for the G1
highest level for five-year-old already landed the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup on
Ghaiyyath in 2020, and he QIPCO 1000 Guineas at July 28 - a contest he won in
Newmarket in early June. 2017, 2018 and 2019.
36Your Last Chance!
v
The response to Riverton Stud’s ‘Name A Champion’ competition has been phenom-
enal and with the cut-off looming tomorrow Thursday 9 July, there is still a chance to
win a glorious weekend away.
Duncan & Natasha Barry of time away with up to 12 family Likewise, if you want to name
the magnificent nursery of or friends sharing 6 bedrooms your horse after a
champions are giving & 5 bathrooms. celebrity/ specific brand, you
Sporting Post readers an do need express/ written
opportunity to find the best Here’s how to enter permission to do so.
name for one of their future
stars. Just remember that names For all this, choosing a name
for your horse
The successful is one of the
name – subject to many joys of
NHRA approval – racing, and it is
will win the author perhaps worth
a memorable remembering
weekend away at the racing
Barry House, a cliché, that no
charming 4 star good horse
exclusive ever had a bad
self-catering large name!
historic manor
near Robertson in The full
the Western Cape, naming
2 hours from Cape policies are
Town. laid out in the
link below,
Voted as ‘one of the 3 best in current use, some names while the following link
farm stays in South Africa’ belonging to past champions, provides the buyer with some
by Country Life Magazine in obscene/religious themed idea of what names are or are
May 2014, you could put the names, or names with more not available.
thinking cap on and find a than 18 letters are
winning name – and step into automatically disallowed. Horse Naming Policy
a gracious era and celebrate
37London
v
Calling!
Spurs and Arsenal will settle scores at the Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium on Sunday in what is London’s biggest footballing rivalry,
the North London derby.
In the league last season, Jose Mourinho’s side the Gunners.
pipped the Gunners to finish fourth to qualify for this
season’s Champions League. Spurs head into the match as favourites with home
ground advantage while Mourinho enjoys a personal
Chad Nagel writes that Arsenal may once again miss head to head record against Arsenal.
out on a top-four finish but many Gooners will be
hoping to celebrate St. Totteringham's day – when Tottenham haven't lost a home Premier League
Spurs cannot mathematically finish above Arsenal on game against Arsenal since March 2014 when Tomas
the league table. Rosicky scored the only goal and Arteta was still
playing for the Gunners, Mourinho will want it to stay
At the time of writing, Mikel Arteta's side are seventh that way.
in the Premier League, while the Lilywhites find bounce in all competitions.
themselves in 10th place. The last time Arsenal Mourinho has stuck with a back four since the In that run, Arsenal played just once at their Emirates
finished above Spurs in the league was in Leicester’s Premier League returned with Eric Dier and Davinson Stadium when they thumped Norwich City 4-0 on
title-winning campaign in 2014/15. Sanchez the preferred centre-back pairing, but after July 1. But their recent performances on the road
the defensive horror show at Sheffield United, surely, have caught the eye in wins against Southampton,
at least one of Jan Vertonghen or Toby Alderweireld Sheffield United (FA Cup) and Wolves especially,
TO WIN
will come into the side. Hugo Lloris, Serge Aurier and where they were excellent.
Ben Davies are locked in as regular starters.
With German shot-stopper Bernd Leno ruled out for
If Mourinho doesn’t try to do something extraordi- the season, Emiliano Martinez is set to continue in
Tottenham 27/20 nary like bring Dier into midfield, I would expect to goal. The Argentinian has yet to concede since
Draw 5/2 see Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in a double-piv-
ot. The pair have a good understanding and are far
starting, while Sead Kolasinac, David Luiz and
Shkodran Mustafi have looked a lot better in a
Arsenal 19/10 more reliable together than when Giovani Lo Celso
plays deep.
three-man defence.
Kieran Tierney has made the left flank his own and
Higher up the pitch, Spurs have plenty of firepower should provide a constant threat to Serge Aurier, but
Tottenham to hurt any team. With Harry Kane leading the line in Arteta will have a selection headache when it comes
Tottenham have blown hot and cold since football’s an all-star attack with Dele Alli behind and Steven to the right side of defence with Cedric Soares,
resumption but the Lilywhites will be hoping for a Bergwijn and Heung-min Son on the flanks, Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all vying
morale-boosting win over their bitter rivals as they backline can expect a busy afternoon. for that spot.
aim to surge up the Premier League table, with
Granit Xhaka and Daniel Ceballos look to have
qualification for the Europa League now the revised
aim. Arsenal formed a solid midfield partnership and the likes of
It may be Tottenham with the bird on their crest, but Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock
The Lilywhites have enjoyed the bragging rights over it is Arsenal who are flying high at the moment. may have to settle for a place next to out-of-favour
their neighbours in recent years after finishing higher Writing before their matchup with Leicester on Mesut Ozil on the sidelines.
in the table three years in a row. Their fans would not Tuesday for print purposes, the Gunners seem to
be happy to see their side end this campaign below have found their rhythm with four wins on the Further up the pitch, I would expect to see a front
three of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka
and Alexandre Lacazette, with the Frenchman
spearheading the attack. Arteta seems to have a lot
of faith in Eddie Nketiah, but Lacazette is proven to
be a man for the big occasion.
Prediction:
Tottenham Win & Both Teams to Score
(29/10)
You can always expect fireworks in the North London
derby, so it should be another entertaining affair as
these two rivals battle it out for bragging rights. I
think it will be a very close affair but with home
advantage and Tottenham’s frightening attack, I
foresee Mourinho’s men edging out a tight
encounter. I do think Arsenal will get on the
scoresheet, so, I suggest taking Spurs to Win & Both
Teams to Score at 29/10.
38v 39
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