Prospects are looking up for former J&B Met-winning trainer Yogas Govender at Summerveld after a slow start to his post Sabine Plattner training career.

Govender’s small string of unfashionably bred horses-in-training, which has seen him contesting only 22 races with ten horses since his post Plattner debut at Greyville last June, has now changed complexion completely.

He now has a string of 40 and 33 of these are two-year-olds.

Govender confirmed he had never been one to rush two-year-olds, so both he and his patrons will require plenty of patience.

He said, “It is going to be a waiting game and the key is the very good and understanding owners I have and they also understand racing. We will always do what we do in the best interests of the horse and ultimately we set out to ensure they have long and successful careers and hopefully reach Black Type status.”

In other Govender news jockey Billy Jacobson has joined the yard.

Govender spoke of the importance of a senior jockey working the string everyday and providing vital feedback.

He also believes many of the jockeys outside of the top echelons just need to be given a chance to prove themselves and the potential swing in fortunes then has a snowballing affect.

He cited Karl Zechner, currently eighth on the national log, as a good example.

By David Thiselton

Act Of War, rested since his sixth in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate when he was officially returned coughing, could see action in Durban later this year.

Racing manager Derek Brugman said: “He is having a holiday on the farm at the moment and then we will decide what to do but he will probably go to Durban for the season.

“But, as last year, it is subject to draws. We are not going to run from bad draws at Greyville and, if that does happen, we would keep him for another go at the Queen’s Plate.”

Last season’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner has a history of being drawn poorly and, although Joey Ramsden sent him to Durban last year, he did not race. The Rising Sun Gold Challenge was a target but he was not declared after being drawn 22 out of 22.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Act Of War (Liesl King)

South African Jockeys Academy (SAJA) Headmaster Graham Bailey has poured energy into his important role in the industry since starting in 2009 and has brought about many positive changes, but has often had to endure negative feedback based on false information and the latest bout has been the mumblings about the perceived unfairness pertaining to apprentice Heavelon van der Hoven having to pay a large proportion of his CTS Million Dollar prize money back to the Academy.

Bailey puts his heart and soul into the job both for the good of the industry and for the lives of his pride and joy, the apprentices, and admitted to being thrilled by Van der Hoven’s Million Dollar win and the turnaround in fortunes it has brought to his career.

Illuminator (Liesl King)

However, he explained, the Academy would not be viable as a learning institution were it not for its funding structure. The racing industry would instead have to revert to the old system of apprentices being indentured to trainers.

The Academy budgets for expenditure per annum of R13,174,063 per year.

The breakdown of this amount is 51% on salaries, 6,4% on running costs of the Cape Town Academy, 4,8% on the Port Elizabeth Academy, 6,3% on the Stables and horses at the Academy, 5,7% to the kitchen, 4,7% on Property costs, 4,1% on electricity, 2,5% on vehicles and 14,5% on other costs such as transport to and from races etc.  The 51% for salaries might seem high, but it compares very favourably to other training institutions. Bailey points out research would show schools and colleges spend probably between 65% to 68% on salaries and added the Academy runs on a tight ship and has a “very sleek” staff.

The Racing Operators (Gold Circle, Phumelela and Kenilworth Racing) subsidise the Academy to the tune of R6,7 million per year, which equates to about 50% of the required budget.

Therefore if the parents or guardians of the apprentices were required to make up the shortfall, they would need to contribute R6,5 million in total, and the current  37 apprentices countrywide would be charged training fees of R175,000 per annum.

This would in most cases be impossible and some are unable to even afford the reduced fees charged. In fact the current training fees in total contribute only R530,000, or 4%, to the expenditure budget.

This means the Academy are left with a shortfall of close to R6 million, or 46% of the budget.

Therefore the riding fee and stakes money accumulated through the race riding of the apprentices is a vital contributor to the running of the institution.

The apprentices, upon signing their indentures, agree two-thirds (67%) of their income will be put towards the Academy’s expenditure budget and the other third (33%) goes into a personal savings account. Whilst a good University Student will graduate with zero money to take home, a good riding apprentice can expect to leave the Academy with over R200,000 in his back pocket.

However, even with this funding plan in place, the Academy have a problem because the apprentices’ riding income contributes only about R2,95 million per year, which covers only 22% of the total expenditure budget.

Illuminator (Liesl King)

The Academy were still left with about a R3 million shortfall (24% of the budget).

Bailey’s unremitting appeals for help to the Board of Higher Education eventually led to a visit by cabinet minister Blade Nzimande in 2012. The latter was so impressed with what he saw, including the seamless integration of the students, he immediately contacted CATHSSETA. Consequently the Academy have received a government grant ever since.

Bailey’s efforts also saw funding contributions being made by the gambling boards.

The 24% shortfall has thus been covered, while necessary upgrades to the facility have been possible and the Academy have also been able to come in line with global trends in professional sport by providing the apprentices with biokineticists, gymn facilities, a state of the art equisizer etc.

Bailey also pointed out an apprentice will on average take two years before earning any income, while it is only the cream who actually pay their way.

Ironically, Van der Hoven would have left the Academy with very little at the end of his five years, which were drawing to a close at the time of his miracle Million Dollar win.

However, his indentures have now been extended into a sixth year to allow him to reach 50 winners, because history has shown apprentices who have been granted their licences without losing their claim have never made it in this toughest of professions.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford had his first winner as a breeder in nearly 30 years in racing when Corne Orffer got the best of a three-way photo on newcomer Sunset Breeze at Kenilworth on Saturday. But seemingly there is no need for the likes of Mick Goss and John Koster to lose any sleep.

The Philippi trainer said: “Somehow I don’t think I will be taking up breeding for a living. This is the third horse I’ve bred from the mare – the first one was useless and the second one died.”

Many punters assume that the trainer knows everything and only needs to put the money down to collect. Glen Kotzen explained just how wrong this can be after the Donovan Dillon-ridden Stockade finally won – at the ninth time of asking – in the Steve Phelps Memorial Maiden.

Brett Crawford (Liesl King)

He said: “If you watched her at home you would do your money every time. She is unbelievable – not even the top division horses can work with her.

“I hope to God she goes on from this. We will tie her tongue down next time and see what happens but maybe now that she has learnt to get her head down she will be alright.”

Greg Ennion issued a public pledge to support Lucian Africa, apparently one of the unsung heroes of morning trackwork, after the rider came from well back to spring a 14-1 surprise in the Investment Data Services Handicap.

It was only his third winner of the season and Ennion said: “I can’t understand why other trainers ignore him. He is a natural lightweight, enthusiastic, as fit as a fiddle and he is there every single morning. He deserves a chance and I am going to give him one.”

The winner is part-owned by former Bloodstock South Africa boss Tom Callaghan who is now involved in converting waste plastic into diesel, seemingly a more lucrative business than selling horses although his heart remains in racing. “It’s definitely the most fun you can have with your clothes on,” he insisted as he downed the victory champagne.

However Ennion’s luck ran out 35 minutes later when Just Felicity got trapped upside down in the pens and injured a hind leg. She lashed out and inflicted much the same injury on stable companion Northern Corner in the adjoining stall.

The close circuit cameras switched to shots of the crowd when this was going on while Tellytrack chose to concentrate on betting updates, in both cases presumably to avoid upsetting public sensibilities.

But punters need to know what is going on and their vested interest entitles them to do so. Also they may want to back another horse or increase their original stake. Most racegoers know that racing can be a dangerous business and they are not going to turn away from the game because of a distant view of some poor horse’s plight.

Kenilworth had a well-documented problem with loud music on J & B Met day and something similar happened on Saturday when the White Knight Group made for a good atmosphere and more than doubled the attendance.

Eric Sands, trainer of Captain Bagg who made all under Grant Behr, said: “He got really wound up by the music which was played right behind where you are expected to saddle up, and it’s not fair on the horses.”

Racing can only benefit from groups like White Knight – indeed it can ill-afford to turn them away – and the last thing such people want is to upset anyone. On-the-day liaison should be enough to sort things out to everyone’s satisfaction on future occasions.

Joey Ramsden was out of luck with his seven runners but he bred Wake Up Maggie who provided Mike Bass with his third consecutive two-year-old winner while Vaughan Marshall  stressed that “the stronger the pace the better” for Annigoni who MJ Byleveld got up almost on the line.

The market took an extraordinary course in the Reynolds Group Maiden. Leisure Trip, the second leg of a quick Aldo Domeyer double, was just about the only horse backed. She went from 7-10 to a scarcely credible 1-5 with the bookmakers able to attract scarcely a rand for the remainder. Four of them went off at 100-1 including runner-up Helen’s Bay.

By Michael Clower

The Tony Rivalland-trained Miesque’s Approval gelding Humidor officially lowered Gr 1 winner Kildonan’s 1200m Scottsville course record on Sunday and the yard said his long term aim would be the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint.

The four-year-old ran off only a 77 merit as there was a year’s layoff between his debut as a three-year-old and his second start. He won his comeback run in good style in October last year and was given the maximum merit rating for a four-year-old maiden winner of 70. He followed up with a three length victory over the same course and distance in January which earned him a seven point hike.

On Sunday he powered into the lead from the off from a wide draw and his relentless gallop looked effortless. Anton Marcus only had to get to work in the final 200m and this bull of a horse had enough in the tank to keep the late charge of the Garth Puller-trained Fortissimo at bay. Humidor ran a time of 66,98 seconds, thus beating the course record of 67 seconds flat set by the Mike de Kock-trained Kildonan when winning one of the strongest Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprints of all time, beating three other Gr 1 winners in Mythical Flight, War Artist and Rebel King. Kildonan carried 57,5kg while Humidor carried 55,5kg.

It was also a fine performance by Fortissimo, who carried 61,5kg and had to switch and come around horses before charging at the winner. He was beaten 0,75 kg and ran a time of 67,11 seconds. Puller will be aiming him at a minor feature.

Humidor, who was bred by Backworth Stud, runs in the colours of Mary Liley and is also owned by IM and MG Horsfield, GN Cumming, I Deetlefs, AS Potts and Rivalland himself.

He started at odds of  9/10.

Rivalland revealed the horse had been lightly raced due to soundness issues. He apparently has a host of niggles.

Assistant trainer Terry Fripp said a race like the Gr2 Senor Santa Handicap over 1200m at Turffontein on March 26 might be looked at in order to qualify him for the Tsogo Sun Sprint, which was formerly known as the Golden Horse Casino Sprint and is to be run on June 6.

The second favourite was the talented and recently gelded Sylvester The Cat and he wasn’t disgraced finishing 6,25 lengths back in fifth, considering he is a year younger than the winner and had to carry 60,5kg over a trip well short of his optimum. The probable most encouraging aspect of his run was jumping on terms, as he had cost himself with his starting antics down in Cape Town.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Humidor (Nkosi Hlophe)

Summerveld trainers are preparing their best horses for the forthcoming Johannesburg Autumn Season as well as Champions Season and spoke of their aspirations.

The Kumaran Naidoo-trained Princess Varunya has won her last four in impressive style and will be aimed at the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara. This will be her first big test but she is not up against a vintage crop.

Charles Laird always feared the 1400m of the CTS Million Dollar would be too sharp for Exit Here and was surprised by the lack of pace which followed the initial scramble, so was happy with his fifth place finish. The Gr 1 Daily News 2000 will be his chief target.

Laird’s brilliant miler Ice Machine has shown his well-being by winning both of his last two races over 1400m and 1200m respectively and will be aimed at the Gr 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m and the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m, both at Turffontein.

Main Submission had his first canter last week since cutting himself on the way back from the CTS Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and Laird is hoping to have him ready for the Gr 2 KRA Guineas.

The Alyson Wright-trained Mr Roy is also being aimed at the KRA Guineas, via the Byerley Turk.

Paul Lafferty is aiming Unbelievable Chad at the KRA Guineas, while Ole Gunnar will be targeted at the Triple Crown races in Johannesburg.

Wendy Whitehead has  a race for the unbeaten speedster Free State in mid-March and will give her one more run between that and her chief target, the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint (formerly the SA Fillies Sprint) on June 6 at Scottsville.

Mike Miller wants to try the talented Executive Power over 1400m after he appeared to not stay the 1600m last time out, although jockey Anthony Delpech believes 1200m will be the talented horse’s game.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Princess Varunya (Nkosi Hlophe)

Not On My Watch can make her experience tell in the Signal Hill Rotary Club Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Glen Kotzen filly is the only one to have raced and, while she was understandably not in the same league as the Grade 1-bound Cloth Of Cloud, she ran well enough to suggest that it will take a smart newcomer to beat her.

Justin Snaith, who has no runner, heads the Cape Town two-year-old log with five winners and Mike Bass (three) is the only other trainer with more than one. His pair include the R2 million Var filly Wake Up Maggie whose dam won seven.

“I think she will run well but Whose That Girl is quite quick and shows a bit of speed,” says Candice Robinson. “They have both been for a gallop whereas Tuesday’s winner Bombs Away hadn’t.”

Greg Ennion likes Gypsy Beauty who debuts in the Eighth Wonder colours. “If I had been able to give her a grass gallop she would not get beat,” he says. “But I couldn’t as I don’t have the advantage that the big stables have.”

Andre Nel missed out on what looked a certain winner with Jingle Belle on Tuesday but he has good prospects of taking races two and three. Leisure Trip only just failed to land the odds when delivered with a strong challenge last time when she had Abound West, Meritocracy and Barbara Anne behind. She has Sharp Peg to beat in the Reynolds Group Maiden.

Mini Loushe also has a favourite’s chance in the Shumani Mills Maiden as he would have finished a lot closer on debut had he got off on terms and not had to contend with a slipping saddle. But his task is not so straightforward because the first-time blinkered Zud Wes and Gyre also have claims. The latter was brushed by the third when fourth last time. “He is a big strong horse,” says Adam Marcus, discounting hard luck claims. “But he may just have needed it and he has been working very well.”

Stockade should be hard to beat in the Steve Phelps Memorial Maiden as she had La Flambee four lengths behind when they last met despite meeting with slight interference. The pair re-oppose on the same terms but La Flambee has since shown improvement. “We found the way she should be ridden – she has to be given a chance – and she improved a hell of a lot,” says Marcus.

Garden Tea Party, who went close over 200m further, and the consistent Ichkeria also come into the picture.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Glen Kotzen

There is some interesting racing around the country over the weekend with five meetings in all and there look to be some opportunities for punters.

In Greyville’s first race tonight Paddy Lunn could score the trifecta. At Variance is a form choice and Roy’s Past, who ran on Wednesday, is still learning but looks to have scope. Lord Luton is moderate but could sneak into third place, although Long Walk and Le Monde should also be considered for the third spot in the trifecta.

Simla (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second is an interesting race over 1000m and the in form Kumaran Naidoo yard could score again with Simla, who has plenty of pace and is progressive. The Lunn yard said the talented Timeous would have needed it if it had been over 1200m but could get away with it over this trip, although on the other hand it might be a touch sharp for him. There is a lot of pace in this race, so it could set up nicely for the closer Ginger Brown.

In the third two impressive sorts clash. Overly Impressive is the choice as one who knows what it is all about, but Mater Familias looks to have plenty of scope and jumped well in a schooling session on Monday so could be a threat.

The fourth is a potential stumbling block as it is open beyond the likely favourite Do Be Snappy. He has a good sand pedigree being by Miesque’s Approval and having arrived from the strong centre of Cape Town a few runs ago he could still be ahead of the handicapper. A possible value play here could be each/way on Royal Zulu Guard, who has come down to an attractive merit rating. Last time out the going wasn’t suiting horses coming from off them and it seemed to blunt his usual strong finish.

The fifth could see Anton Marcus making all the difference to Cyclone Sassy, who cost herself last time by pulling. Nyangan is another horse who arrived from the Cape with a possibly suppressed merit rating and it would be no surprise to see her following up on her easy win over course and distance last time. Peace Again always used to catch the eye over this trip but then seemed to have a number of flat runs, so now that she is back in form she will have to be watched.

The sixth over 1900m is quite open on first sight but assistant trainer Byron Foster of the Andre Nel yard was bullish about the chances of the hard knocking Jet Ntombi, who once finished close to the Gr 2 winner Gallica Rose over 2000m at Kenilworth. Nel’s Jet Turbine is in a difficult situation as she has a common low merit rating, so the yard have declared others slightly higher in the ratings ahead of her in these races, meaning she has missed out. However, she has been working upsides many of these other colleagues so is definitely fit enough, despite her last race having been in September. She could be a value each/way bet, although the bulk should be put on the place as she is unlikely to beat her stablemate.

Royal Zulu Guard (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the seventh over 1900m, Little Chapel is yet another Cape horse who could win as she is a typically progressive daughter of the outstanding sire Ideal World. She won going away last time and that is the sign of a horse who can defy the handicapper again next time out. Alpine Ridge has always had ability, proved by the fact she won on debut over 1200m, and she will be a threat alongside Barcelona Babe, who got quite close to a classy sort last time despite being way under sufferance.

In the last over 1900m Classe Mondiale could provide Marcus with another winner as she will appreciate the step down in trip, but Roy’s Lioness looks to have some promise, while Lady Ami  deserves a change of luck and could get it off a now attractively lowered merit rating and Anthony Delpech in the irons.

At Turffontein on Saturday the best bet could be in the first race. Ultimate Survival made up ground rapidly a long way out last time out over 1700m at the Vaal and her run not surprisingly petered out. Gavin Lerena would have learnt from that race, which was the horse’s first over ground, and the Greys Inn filly should relish the 1800m Inside Track course and distance.

Scottsville hosts a stand alone meeting on Sunday and the stand out bet will be in the sixth on the Duncan Howells-trained Jay Peg filly Wind Singer, a long-striding sort who created a fine impression when winning effortlessly last time out. The handicapper looks to have been lenient on her. Another horse worth considering is Delirious Nomad in race five as he is a long-striding sort who relaxes well in the running before producing a good finish so he should appreciate running over this 1600m trip on grass.

By David Thiselton

CTS Million Dollar winner Illuminator looks like going to Durban for Champions Season although no decision has yet been taken on whether to geld the colt who has shown signs of haemo-concentrating.

Glen Puller said: “Illuminator has come out of the race well – he had a bit of a nick but it was nothing much – and I even had to give him a bit of work on Tuesday.

“The haemo-concentrating is there and it’s not going to go away but we are still deciding on that one. It looks like he could possibly go to Durban although the Daily News could be a bit tricky with his blood.”

Cape Classic winner Eighth Wonder, who returned to winning form when collaring Kemal Kavur on the line in the Graduation Plate at Kenilworth on Tuesday, will stay at home to go for the Winter Guineas, Classic and Derby.

Greg Ennion said: “He is so versatile and the Winter Series would be ideal for him. What beat him in the Cape Derby was that he was drawn 15 out of 15 and we elected to drop him out. He came into the straight last, nearly 20 lengths behind the leader, and then made up a lot of ground.

“He was pushed out when the winner came wide and Stuart Randolph said he could have finished second but for that. He needs to be covered up but he has the heart of a lion and he will fight to the death as he showed on Tuesday.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Glen Puller 

The Grant Maroun-trained six-year-old Mullins Bay gelding Viking Hero continued his amazing transformation at Turffontein on Tuesday evening, a meeting at which national champion trainer Sean Tarry had four winners, before later admitting he would erase it if able due to one of his crack colts Zambezi River having to be euthanized.

Sean Tarry

Tarry paid tribute to the horse and also spoke about the pending aspirations of some of his other stable stars.

Viking Hero added the Gr 3 Tommy Hotspur crown to his Gr 3 Lebelo Sprint trophy, an incredible feat considering he was a 68 merit-rated battler at this time last year. He ran off a 92 merit rating on Tuesday night and was easy to back at 20/1, having disappointed over 1200m off this mark in his only start since winning the Lebelo off an 88. However, carrying 52,5kg and back to his favourite 1000m, Jarryd Penny got him home in an exciting finish from the consistent Mike Azzie-trained Splendid Garden and an ultra unlucky favourite, the Mike de Kock-trained Moofeed, who had to be eased and switched at a crucial stage. The latter will be a big runner in a race like the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, a handicap over an ideal 1200m in which he finished ninth last year from a tough draw.

A saddened Tarry spoke fondly of the Trippi gelding Zambezi River, who counted the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes among his six career victories, and said, “He had never been to the front before but broke well so S’Manga had no option. He seemed to be cruising when he snapped both sesamoidal ligaments. He was only just coming back to form and had a lot to come so we are going to miss him. Horses like him are not easy to replace. But we have to deal with it and move on.”

Tarry started the night well when the Var filly Exquisite Touch scooted home to win a Juvenile Plate over 1000m by 3,2 lengths.

Tarry has only run three juveniles fillies this season and three have won, which augurs well for the yard’s chances in the Juvenile features, especially as the winners include the exciting Captain Al filly Cloth Of Cloud, a half-sister to Silver Mountain.

Siren’s Call (JC Photo)

Tarry won the next race over 1160m with the big and impressive Trippi colt Mombela, who was having only his second start and returning from a layoff of over a year. He said this horse has a “host of issues” but rates him so if he stays in tune he will be one to follow.

Greatfiveeight won the next and it was then the turn of Trophy Wife, who is among the leading lights of probably the best fillies crop in South African history.

Her immediate big race target is the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over her ideal 1600m trip.

Among the best of Trophy Wife’s outstanding crop is her stablemate Siren’s Call, who went within a stride of landing last season’s Triple Tiara. However, the yard were unhappy with the way she came out of her only Cape Town run so have decided “to give her more time”.

Tarry said Legal Eagle would be unlikely to have the Vodacom Durban July among his targets, although he would join French Navy in being aimed at the R4 million President’s Champions Challenge.

He views French Navy as his current leading July hopeful, although he said there would be the usual scenario of three-year-olds emerging as contenders.

By David Thiselton