It was also a good day for Maine Chance Farms as the sires of these two winners, Black Minnaloushe and Lateral, both stand at that stud farm.

However, the result of the Investec Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m, won easily by Unparalleled, might have cast further doubt on the strength of this year’s three-year-old male crop, at least on paper.

The reason is their form against older horses.

In Cape Town the Gr 1-winning Afrikaburn finished a flying two length second in his reappearance in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m on weight for age (wfa) terms, but was beaten 6,35 lengths into seventh in the wfa Gr 2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m. Another highly regarded three-year-old, Light The Lights, finished 6,55 lengths back in eighth in the Green Point.

Dingaans winner Unparalleled only won his maiden in his fifth start over 1450m and after finishing a narrow second in a three-year-old handicap over 1450m in his first run out of the maidens, he then ran second again against older horses in a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, despite running off only an 83 merit rating. However, he was admittedly a touch unlucky in the latter event.

Furthermore, Dingaans third-placed French Navy, beaten 5,5 lengths on Saturday, was beaten in a MR 76 Handicap over 1400m in his penultimate start, despite running off a merit rating of only 79.

However, history has shown that it is nothing unusual for young three-year-olds to battle in handicaps and that the visual impression they create is probably more important than their early season form against older horses.

Furthermore, the Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old Trippi colt Trip To Heaven beat older horses comfortably in the Gr 2 Merchants on Saturday, a handicap over 1160m, despite running off a 101 merit rating and being 1,5kg under sufferance.

Harry’s Son, the Equus Champion Two-year-old of last season, started favourite in the Dingaans and was as visually impressive going down to post as usual, while French Navy is also an eyecatching sort and was only having his fourth start.

Unparelleled put up a fine performance, considering he quickened from a handy position off a strong pace and galloped all the way to the line. Van Vuuren confirmed that this horse is improving all the time. The Dingaans time was just over a second slower than the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes, which was won by the four-year-old filly Arcetri Pink who carried only 1,5kg more than Unparalleled, So that shouldn’t detract from the Dingaans form, especially considering the latter race’s time was comfortably quicker than the other two 1600m events on the card.

Some pundits felt that Piere Strydom had Harry’s Son too far back in the running. However, his ride can hardly be faulted as he rousted him in the early stages and then took a bump that knocked him sideways before he slotted him into a midfield position that looked perfect considering the strong pace. Harry’s Son looked to be cruising at the 300m mark, but unlike his previous start over 1400m in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes when doing his best work late, he could only plug on gamely from then on and was beaten 4,25 lengths into second. It is too early to tell whether he would prefer an easier mile as he is bred to stay further and this was also the second time within a month that he had travelled from Durban to Johannesburg.

Unparelleled is by the champion freshman sire of last season, Lateral, who was a Gr 1 winning miler in Italy. Lateral is proving versatile and having produced the winner of the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1400m last season in Bilateral, he recently produced a Gr 2 jumps winner over 3500m in Europe.

Unparalleled has a strong female line. He is out of Sublime Surge, an unraced half-sister by Elliodor to the dual Gr 1-winning miler Crimson Waves. He is a half-brother to the three-times Gr 1 runner up Straight Set. He was signed for at the sale by V. Veeramootoo for what now looks a bargain R150,000. Veeramootoo owns him in partnership with Andre Fouche, M Gullan and BJD Pepper. The last mentioned is the father of the well known racing presenter Gareth.

Saturday’s Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup winner, the Black Minnaloushe colt Louis The King, was regarded by Kahan as his best male on the 2012 Suncoast Yearling Sale, despite being the resulting foal of a maiden Rich Man’s Gold mare that he had bought in foal for a mere R20,000. However, the colt drew little interest in the ring and was bought back for R55,000 before Kahan famously sold him to Woodruff in a deal that was done in the sales car park. Woodruff’s client Tiaan van der Vyfer then bought him and named him after his son Louis. He gave Louis the horse as a gift and Louis The King was the first ever racehorse the latter owned.

After Saturday’s success Louis The King’s stake earnings soared to R4,802,500, and that excludes the R2 million bonus he landed when becoming the first horse this century to win the SASCOC Triple Crown.

Black Minnaloushe was a twice Gr 1-winning miler, while Louis The King’s second dam was the Gr 3-winning sprinter Milden Hall. Therefore, Louis The King likely gets his stamina from Rich Man’s Gold, who is a son of Forty Niner, a multiple Gr 1 winner up to 2000m.

Picture: JC Photos

Woodruff didn’t do quite as well as last year when sending out the trifecta but his remarks that Louis The King’s preparation had gone perfectly and that Killua Castle’s last run from a wide draw in the “bog” could be ignored proved to be spot on. 

Louis The King was placed perfectly about six lengths off the pace that was set reluctantly by Bold Inspiration and was not a strong one. The mare Jet Belle struck the front quite early in the straight and took about a two length lead but challengers began coming from all sides in the drying ground, which was officially posted as “good”.

The crowd roared as Louis The King, backed in to 18/10, began closing in on the outside but in the meantime his 66/1 shot stablemate Killua Castle had burst through in the centre. Louis The King then showed the courage that is the hallmark of all great champions. Both protagonists drifted towards the inside but it was the four-year-old Alchemy-bred Black Minnaloushe colt that responded to the crowd’s urging and managed to extract the necessary extra, despite carrying 59kg and giving Killua Castle 2,5kg.

The winning margin was 0,25 lengths and there was then a further 2,75 lengths back to the Tyrone Zackey-trained Gr 2 Victory Moon winner  Judicial. The Gr 1 Gold Cup winner the Brett Crawford-trained Wavin’ Flag was next best ahead of the Victory Moon runner up, the Alec Laird-trained Earl Of Derby. The Gavin van Zyl-trained No Worries filled the all important 6th place, as the Tote paid out that number of places.

Up and coming trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren took a chance entering Unparalleled in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m considering the gelding had taken five runs to win his maiden and was rated only 86. However, his belief in the Alchemy-bred by Lateral proved spot on as he came from a handy position off a strong pace and galloped on strongly to win by a facile 4,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena, defying his 55/1 odds. The favourite Harry’s Son took a bump early but was well positioned to strike and appeared to be cruising at the 300m. However, he could only plug on gamely and although he put 1,25 lengths between himself and the rest of the  field, the impression given was that he might prefer an easier mile. French Navy finished third ahead of the winner’s fancied female stablemate Siren’s Call and Illuminati was fifth.

Gavin van Zyl had a strong hand in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and in the end it was the most fancied of his quintet, the Mauritzfontein-owned and bed Horse Chestnut filly Banbury, that was given a superbly judged ride by Piere Strydom to catch the Tote favourite Smart Call late and win by 1,25 lengths. The fancied Ataab was a further two lengths back in third.

The Gr 2 Stonach Group Racing Merchants over 1160m was won by the Highlands Farms Stud-bred three-year-old Trippi colt Trip To Heaven, who is trained by Sean Tarry and was ridden by birthday boy S’manga Khumalo. The classy 2/1 favourite crept closer from some way off the pace before showing a fantastic turn of foot and winning by 1,5 lengths from One Man’s Dream and the winner’s stablemate Blazing Al.

The Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m saw the Woodruff-trained Arcetri Pink proving her liking for course and distance and bursting out of the pack to win comfortably under Gavin Lerena at odds of 6/1. She is an Australian-bred by Rock Of Gibraltar and won the Gr Gauteng Guineas over course and distance last season. Pine Princess ran on well to just pip the favourite Carry On Alice for second. The latter is a top class three-year-old and didn’t have an ideal preparation as her seasonal reappearance was just nine days earlier and she should bounce back from this defeat.

The Ormond Ferraris-trained three-year-old Toreador filly Lazer Star remained unbeaten when showing pace throughout to win the Gr 3 Hardware Magnolia Handicap easily over 1160m under Weichong Marwing from Winter Star and Pej. The Tawny Syndicate bred horse is owned by Marwing’s wife Anneline and started 4/1 favourite.

The Dominic Zaki-trained five-year-old Highlands Farm Stud-bred Dynasty gelding Shimmering Gem showed amazing guts and staying power to win the Gr 3 Racing Association Handicap over 3200m by a comfortable margin under Khumalo.

Picture: Hack Media

Triple Crown hero Louis The King’s eyecatching preparation run in the Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile was his seasonal reappearance and he has “come along nicely since then.” He will love the expected soft going.

Rake’s Chestnut proved he enjoys this trip when a narrow second to Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and on that run he is well handicapped. He should handle soft going and although he lost his jockey at the start last time out in the Charity Mile he would have at least had a good blow out.

Disco Al has caught the eye as one that should love the course and distance and from pole position draw could be good place value. Judicial looks fair value considering his good win in the Gr 2 Victory Moon in testing conditions over 1800m on his reappearance. He is now 6 points higher in the merit ratings but has come into his own and can’t be ignored. Bold Inspiration is a big, long-striding sort who should love the Turffontein Standside track and it is easy to imagine him running on gamely throughout the straight, although travelling to altitude for a race this far is never easy.

Bouclette Top and As You Like are well handicapped with Louis The King on Triple Crown form but that didn’t help them much in the Charity Mile. However, Bouclette Top is having his third run after a rest and gelding. The yard make him a big runner over a trip he should enjoy. As You Like, who does have his niggles, was having his first run after a rest and gelding then and has been working “beautifully” so could well be a bigger threat this time.

Lockheed Jetstar plugged on gamely in the Charity mile and faces Louis The King on the same terms for a 0,5 length beating. He should get it on pedigree and Richard Fourie in the saddle from a good draw are two bonuses. Killua Castle looks a touch high in the handicap and appears to prefer fast ground.

Bezanova has grown into his big frame and is having his third run after a rest over a suitable trip, so could be a factor from a good draw despite a three point raise for his Charity Mile win.

Earl Of Derby ran a fine second in testing going in the Gr 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, so will love the going and could run into the money, although from a wide draw he will likely have to make up a lot of ground.

Jet Belle is full of class and has won a Gr 2 over 2000m, but a wide draw and soft ground over this trip could be a concern. Athina is also widely drawn and full of class but the trip in soft conditions creates a question mark. Glorious Jet ran fair races in the Charity Mile and Victory Moon but now has a very wide draw.

Wavin’ Flag would prefer further but will love a true stamina test so might fare well in soft conditions on this tough track. Sovereign Mint has improved and runs on well over shorter so could get the trip but he has a very wide draw.  Everest is a handy type and will likely find it tough to keep this field at bay. Enchanted Silk will love soft ground but has a tough task at the weights.

The selection is Louis The King from Rake’s Chestnut, Judicial, Disco Al, Bold Inspiration and Bouclette Top.

Champion colt Harry’s Son has a fine racing temperament and is improving all the time so will be hard to beat in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m. Jayyed was running on late over 1400m in the Graham Beck so will prefer this trip, but is now 4,5kg worse off with Harry’s Son. The filly Siren’s Call’s formlines are very strong. Front Rank proved his liking for testing conditions last time over course and distance and is well drawn. Pioneer Spirit was staying on well in the Ready To Run Cup and being by Go Deputy will be improving all the time. They are tipped in the order of mention.

Smart Call has very strong form and could be the one to beat in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile from a good draw. Kileigh has a wide draw but is well regarded and could be the day’s best place bet. Ataab is an improving sort and could be next best from Zrinski and Banbury.

For The Lads has relished returning to sprints and is well handicapped in the Gr 3 Magnolia where she is tipped to beat Pej, who will love soft ground, Goldie Coast, Tzigane and African Dream.

Flyfirstclass should love the Turffontein straight and is tipped to win the Merchants from Kingston Boy, Normanz, Vulcan and Showmetheway.

Carry On Alice is ultra classy and should win the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe over 1600m, despite her reappearance having been a bit close. Mohave Princess is underrated and improving and gets a fair draw for a change so is tipped as the danger. Pine Princess, Silver Class and Arcetri Pink could be next best.

Shimmering Gem impressed from the front last time and can follow up in the Gr 3 RA Handicap from Baracah, Savage Wind, Sky Rise and Henry Higgins.

Picture: Louis The King and Rake’s Chestnut (Nkosi Hlophe)

The selection table below represents each tipsters first three selections in the six big feature races (Races 4 to 9) being run at Turffontein tomorrow, including the Gr 1 Gauteng Sansui Summer Cup (Race 7). Turffontein is expecting a crowd of over 20,000 on Summer Cup day and punters around the country have a host of carryover pools to look forward to, including a Pick 6 pool (Races 4 to 9) that’s expected to top R5MILLION.

Laird said that all three of his raiders Bold Inspiration, Pej and Normanz were “absolutely spot on” and that Sean Cormack had been very happy with their work. He felt Bold Inspiration, a long striding sort who should love the Turffontein Standside track, should be helped by the expected soft going due to his considerable size. He said Pej, who runs in the Gr 3 Hardware Magnolia Handicap “grows an extra leg” in soft going, “she loves it”, and Normanz, who runs in the Stronach Group Racing Merchants also enjoys it. Laird  doesn’t believe in the second run after a rest theory, which would apply to Normanz. Laird will follow the same travel plan he used for Rich Girl, who won the R3,85 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup at the beginning of the month, by arriving on the day of the race.

Mark Dixon said that his respective Magnolia and Merchants runners, African Dream and Showmetheway, were “cherry ripe.” He is hoping his wife Hayley will be given permission to accompany African Dream to the starting stalls as she did last time and said that if all went well at the start the speedy filly would be a “massive runner”. He said Showmetheway is “not the best handicapped horse” around but had “never been better”. Showmetheway has had a new lease of life since hold up tactics have been employed. Both horses will relish soft ground.

Frank Robinson said that his talented Gr 3 Bradlows/Morkels Fillies Mile candidate Olma “ploughs through” the beach sand at home and will love a testing 1600m, while her wide draw could work in her favour as the going is often better on the outside in wet conditions at Turffontein. Sean Cormack has been “ecstatic” with her work. Robinson felt his Investec Dingaans runner Leven Point, being a Fort Wood who is looking for 2000m, would also love the testing 1600m. He gave Great Rumpus a big shout in the tenth, pointing out that he finished close to Bold Inspiration last time out despite being checked twice in the straight. Jamal “has a big climbing action and loves soft ground” and won his only previous start at Turffontein.

Craig Eudey said that his Merchants runner Flyfirstclass, who has plenty of pace, should enjoy Turffontein’s quick sprint track. “He is very well and loves soft ground.”

Doug Campbell’s Merchants charge Kingston Boy finished third in the race last year and the exhilarating turn of foot he possesses is ideally suited to this track as he can sit behind the strong pace in the early stages. He said Donovan Dillon was “very excited” about his chances and he himself felt Kingston Boy was handicapped to beat a lot of the opposition.

Tony Rivalland said that his Magnolia runner Choir Maiden had not been working as well as he had known her to, but she did finish fourth in her only previous try over the course and distance despite hanging across the track.

Laird and Eudey’s charges arrive on the morning of the race and the rest arrive midday Friday.

Van Zyl said, “The top weight has to be a concern over 2000m in expected soft going, but he does now have a lovely draw of eight meaning he will be able to be placed according to the pace.”

No Worries’ (main picture) soft ground statistics are not encouraging, but Van Zyl said, “It is hard to say how he will handle soft ground, because he only experienced it before we fitted blinkers late in his three-year-old year, and this horse has disappointed everytime recently when he’s run without blinkers.”

Van Zyl has three runners in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m and sides marginally with Pioneer Spirit, although stable jockey Keagan de Melo has chosen Sun On Africa.

He said, “Pioneer Spirit (pictured)  is very well and was staying on well in the Ready To Run Cup over 1400m when beaten only 1,4 lengths. On a line through Afrikaburn he has a chance and is crying out for the extra 200m. He has been gelded since that last run and we did win a feature with Bulsara three weeks after gelding. Sun On Africa was found out by the heavy going last time and is now having his peak run. It’s a little bit on the short side but if he repeats his second place finish to Bezanova he is in the hunt. Iwo Jima was running on when three lengths back in the Ready To Run Cup and the extra 200m, and further, will suit him down to the ground.”

The yard have five runners in the Gr 3 Bradlows/Morkels Fillies Mile and Van Zyl fancied Kileigh ahead of De Melo’s choice Brown Sugar, who is coming off a hattrick of 1400m wins.

He said, “Brown Sugar will be competitive if she stays the trip. The mile will be right up Kileigh’s alley and she won’t be as far back as she was in the Starling Stakes. Banbury has got the form to win considering Piere Strydom’s aboard. Cassey O’Malley wasn’t disgraced on her Highveld debut and the winner Ataab then came and won next time out by five, so with expected improvement she shouldn’t be left out of trifectas and quartets.

“Withbatedbreath is a lovely big filly with a huge stride and won her maiden very well. She will hold her own in the company. I think that of the competition Smart Call is very smart, Ataab is improving all the time, Zrinski won her maiden very well despite losing two lengths, Tamanee is not out of it and Bilateral won a Gr 1 beating Alboran Sea, although I think this will be her toughest test. The formlines are still being established but I think some good fillies will come out of this race.”

Van Zyl runs Mohave Princess in the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes over 1600m. He said, “She is improving all the time and finding herself. She has the ability to win a race like this and has her best draw for some time.” The three-year-old Pine Princess is currently 3/1 favourite for this race while Mohave Princess is 10/1. The latter is 0,5kg better off with Pine Princess for a neck beating over 1800m at the end of October. The weight for age change since then would mean Pine Princess still has the form edge, but there is not much in it.

Van Zyl said about his well-bred first-timer by Ideal World in the last, “The factors against are that it is on the short side, it could be wet, it’s under lights and he could be green, but he is a very, very smart horse and I wouldn’t be surprised if he popped up.”

Pictures: Nkosi Hlophe

However, he now has a new target, which is to ride 5000 winners in South Africa as his career tally includes 72 overseas winners.

He said, “I’ve been riding for 33 years and have ridden July and Met winners, but the coverage, well wishes and reception I received for the 5000th has been unbelievable. It means a lot because when people wish me to do well it is not just for myself. It was a great feeling when it happened at last especially considering the countdown started about 100 winners ago. I have interviews lined up not just with the racing press but with the normal press too, including one with Supersport. I have already been on Tellytrack and Gold Circle have invited me to a special celebration on Friday December 5. Phumelela also want to do something special. A lunch has also been organised for me by all of my closest friends.”

The meeting at Scottsville this Saturday will be in Strydom’s honour. His first ever winner was at Scottsville over 1600m in 1982 aboard the Johnny Nicholson-trained Saadabad.

The scenes of adulation that happened around the winner’s enclosure on Saturday had Strydom in tears and were equally meaningful to his fiancé Claudia, who was there to support him.

However, the best was still to come as his father “Hekkie” had snuck on to the course. “When I was called I thought it must be somebody acting as if he was my father,” said Piere, who was genuinely surprised. The moment he saw his father was obviously a deeply emotional moment.

Strydom regards his father, who trained in Port Elizabeth, as having had the biggest influence on his career. He grew up in an era when there was always a lot of pace and Hekkie, having taught him the importance of balance from a young age, emphasised the need to be patient and get there as late as possible. Consequently, Piere quickly gained a reputation for his dramatic finishes from way off the pace and as a result acquired the nickname “Striker”, given to him by a Port Elizabeth racing journalist who wrote under the name Rob Roy.

Strydom has also ridden in Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, Mauritius, Dubai and Turkey and said recently, “Riding overseas is important as one can otherwise become one dimensional.”

Piere Strydom 5000th winner – Act Of War
– November 22, 2014
(Picture: Liesl King)

Strydom said that he would not like to make a call, having ridden both, on which protagonist for leading three-year-old male in the country was better, Act Of War or the Paul Lafferty-trained Harry’s Son. However, he said, “In Cape Town I would choose Act Of War as he has the course experience.” The pair might clash for the first time in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas.

Strydom has always been sort after for big race rides by big yards, but he put this down to his consistent success with small yards.

However, he admitted that the reason he is seldom retained by big yards these days is due to his “lack of riding work”.

He outlined his professional policy, “I keep work riding to a minimum in order to prolong my career. Having ridden so much over the years, there is a lot of wear and tear. In fact I have right now (yesterday (Monday)) just come back from the chiropractor. Jockeys only ever get a break if we’ve broken a bone or had a suspension. We can’t just take off for leisure time as we have overheads to pay. Apart from wear and tear, injury can also can happen during workriding (he once broke his wrist workriding), but the income only comes at the races.”

Strydom will reassess his career after reaching the 5000 winners in South Africa mark, although he said recently, “To still be riding at 50 is crazy, but sometimes there is nothing else to do and you need to earn a living. There are a few options I could go into, but not training!”

Strydom never dreamt he would ever reach these heights upon joining the South African Jockeys Academy and said, “I hoped I would just do well and have always set myself realistic goals. You are not going to run the Comrades before you can walk. With each success I made my goals higher.”

He was first Port Elizabeth Champion apprentice, before becoming National champion apprentice in his final year at the Academy and he has won six National Jockey’s Championships. He has ridden seven winners in a day twice. His popularity reached new heights at the now defunct Gosforth Park in Germiston on 14 July 1990, when he became the first and only jockey to ever ride the Pick 6.

One of his biggest fans, whom he knows only as “Phillip”, was present on that famous day and has idolised Strydom ever since. He flew especially to Cape Town for Saturday’s meeting so he could be present for the 5000th winner.

Strydom regards the 1990s as having been the best era he has ridden in due to great jockeys like Michael Roberts, Jeff Lloyd, Felix Coetzee, Basil Marcus, Anton Marcus and Weichong Marwing still being in the country.

JJ The Jet Plane

He ranks J J The Jet Plane as probably the best horse he has ever ridden and said, ““He had tremendous gate speed and the acceleration when necessary.”

Strydom’s immediate goal is to win the Sansui Summer Cup on Saturday and he admitted to being very impressed when first riding his mount, the ruling favourite Louis The King, to third place in the Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile. He said, “It was especially impressive after we were caught so far back. He has a big chance but there are two horses who are very well handicapped, As You Like and Bouclette Top, who have huge weight turnarounds in their favour.”

Will there ever be another Piere “Striker Strydom? There could be as he has two young sons, Oliver and Sebastion. He said he wouldn’t really like them to be jockeys, but added, “If they want to be I will give as much input as possible.”

However, his regular rider Piere Strydom felt punters should exercise some caution in their exotic selections.

Lafferty said about the brilliant colt’s preparation, “His weight is good and we’re very happy with him.”

The laid back Australian-bred by Haradasun fell asleep early on the journey last time, which began at midnight, and had only lost 2kg by the time he stepped out of the float at Turffontein on the morning of the race. It is a good long walk from the point of arrival to the saddling enclosure, which gives the horses ample time to stretch.

The Charles Laird-trained Rich Girl had travelled and arrived at the same time and went on to win the R3,85 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes, so the formula appears to work.

Harry’s Son has never officially raced in soft ground before, but Strydom recalled that there was a bit of cut in the ground in the Graham Beck, so is not worried about the rain that is forecast to be falling consistently, but not heavily, throughout the week He has a tougher draw this time of nine, but relaxes well so the great 5000-winner jockey should have no problem placing him and he will certainly relish the 1600m trip.

Strydom rode one of the apparent dangers Front Rank to a facile 5,5 length victory in soft ground over course and distance last time, but said, “Front Rank won very well in the soft but Harry’s Son is better. But the thing about Harry’s Son is that he travelled all the way to Johannesburg for that last  race then went back to Durban and now has to travel back to Johannesburg again. Taking that into account punters should be cautious and include Jayyed.”

Contrary to Strydom’s cautious approach one of the most experienced travellers both as a jockey and trainer between Durban and Johannesburg, Gavin van Zyl, believes that horses can travel up and down twice without a problem but not three times, so according to his theory Harry’s Son should not be affected.

Harry’s Son has the Mike de Kock-trained Jayyed well held on the 1400m form of the Graham Beck Stakes, but on the form of the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville run on the last weekend of last season there is only a neck in it.

Lafferty and Strydom will also team up in the Gr 3 Magnolia Handicap over1160m with the talented four-year-old Australian-bred Choisir filly Goldie Coast, who ran a good 3,75 length fourth last time over 1400m in a hot Conditions Plate race on Graham Beck day, especially considering she set the pace which would have blunted her excellent burst of speed. She should be able to sit in behind over this trip and Lafferty said she was “very well” and “versatile”, so is an interesting runner.

Picture: JC Photos

Joey Ramsden described Turkish jockey Yasin Pilavcilar as “absolutely appalling” and the Sporting Post commented that “when the standards drop to the level of some of the ‘stars’ that rode at Turffontein and Kenilworth then it is time to call it a day.”

Racing Association boss Larry Wainstein, who chairs the organising committee, said yesterday: “One of the sponsors is Phumelela  International which shows our racing in Turkey and they feel it would help if there is a jockey from there.

“In fact Turkish champion Halas Karatas was asked to come again but he turned us down as his wife passed away and the number two couldn’t make it. Pilavcilar was a last-minute replacement. But in future, unless we can get the top guys, we will say to sponsors that we would rather look elsewhere.”

Wainstein – “I am still trying to take the knives out of my back” – added that the likes of Kieren Fallon, Richard Hughes, Olivier Peslier and Michel Barzalona were approached but for one reason or another they were unable or unwilling to come. It was Hughes who suggested inviting James Doyle, Adam Kirby and Martin Harley, saying: “They are top up-and-coming jockeys.”

IJC Teams 2014 

Wainstein was critical of trainers for not supporting the international races better and pointed out that a number of them didn’t fill.

He added that in an ideal world he would invite top American and Australian jockeys as well as those from Europe “but we don’t have a sponsoring airline for those countries to pay part of the flight costs and we have to work within the constraints of our budgets.”

He pledged that, despite the criticism and the Sporting Post’s suggestion to call it a day, the series will continue.

He said: “The jockeys who come here love it and, when they go back home, they tell people about South African racing. They also say that they have never been treated so well. What an advertisement that is. It makes it worth every rand we spend.

“I have a passion for this international series and, if people are going to criticise me, then so be it. I’ve just got to keep my chin up and go for it.”

Picture: Liesl King

The hot pot favourite Louis The King won’t mind any sort of going. However, his most impressive victory was in the GR 2 Gauteng Guineas, when cruising in by over five lengths, and that was run in very testing conditions.

Judicial and Earl Of Derby were well clear of the rest in the Gr 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m and that was run in a “bog”. However the trainer of Judicial Tyrone Zackey put that down more to his horse being “very fit” rather than any particular going preference.

Bezanova has won in “very soft” conditions before, so won’t mind the rain, while Master Sabina has won over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside track in slightly soft conditions.

Lockheed Jetstar has won over 1700m before in “very soft” conditions and that is quite interesting as that is the furthest trip he has ever been tried over in his career, although it was only in a MR 77 handicap.

Disco Al has won in “slightly soft” conditions before. As You Like finished a 5,5 length third behind Louis The King in the testing conditions of last season’s Gauteng Guineas and is now 5kg better off.

Bouclette Top won over 1400m in the soft before staying on well for a six length fourth in that Gauteng Guineas event and he will now be 6kg better off with Louis The King.

Jet Belle has won in the soft twice. However, those were both in sprint races and she was beaten seven lengths into third in “very soft” going two years ago in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on Turffontein Standside by Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top.

Athina has won twice over 1450m in “slightly soft” going, but a possible concern is that in the testing conditions of last season’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas she “moved up and found no extra”, but then ran on well in good faster going next time to win the SA Fillies Classic over 1800m.

Rakes Chestnut ran way below par in his second career outing in heavy going, but trainer Geoff Woodruff put that down to him needing gelding. He has never had to contend with soft conditions since.

Glorious Jet has never won on soft ground before, but finished a close up second in “very soft” going in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance.  Sovereign Mint has won over 1400m in soft going, but has never raced beyond 1600m.

Everest has won over 1600m in the soft, but has twice been well beaten by Earl Of Derby in soft conditions, including when finishing 5,75 lengths behind him in the Victory Moon, although he is now 1,5kg better off.

Enchanted Silk won well over 1800m on Victory Moon day in the soft which could augur well for her if the rain materialises, although this a considerably tougher task.

Killua Castle and the topweight No Worries have tended to perform a bit below par in soft going. However, No Worries only experienced soft going before his career turned around due to a change in tactics and the statistics could be misleading.

Bold Inspiration is yet to be tried on soft ground. Wavin’ Flag will also be a bit of an unknown as his soft ground experience, in which he performed adequately, only came in his early racing days before he really turned the corner into a feature horse.

Pictures: JC Photos