Author Archives: Nikita

Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

Same Jurisdiction to overcome her draw

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KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells believes his star filly, Same Jurisdiction, only has the draw to beat in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day. He has other fair chances on the day too, despite having generally enjoyed no luck with barrier positions.

Same Jurisdiction ran on strongly in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out, also from a wide draw, to be beaten 0,5 lengths by Garden Province contender Hammie’s Hooker. However, she was carrying a 2kg Gr 1 penalty compared to Hammie’s 1kg Gr 2 penalty, so she will effectively be 1kg better off on Saturday in this weight for age race. Furthermore, Howells said she had needed that run and had “improved tenfold” since.

He said, “Her workouts have been exceptional and if she overcomes the draw she will win.”

Anton Marcus retains the ride and they jump from draw 14 in a classy field of 15.

Howells’ other Gr 1 contender on the day is the Elusive Fort filly Lauderdale who runs in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m. Last time out over the course and distance she ran one wide in a handy position and found another gear halfway down the straight to fly home and be beaten just 0,35 lengths in the Listed Devon Air Stakes. However, the form of that race is not looking too good at present.

Howells said, “We fancied her to just about win last time (despite 12/1 odds). She is above average and is well in herself but has the draw to overcome.”

Howells has three runners in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m. Crime Victim comes off a facile win over 1950m in a Winter Challenge final at Scottsville. However, he is 0,5kg worse off with Solid Speed from a Greyville 2400m race in which the latter beat him by 2,25 lengths. He was slightly baulked in that race, before staying on strongly so should stay the trip despite his pedigree, suggesting he is not a certainty too. He has the advantage of a pole position draw and S’Manga Khumalo aboard so this resolute galloper could be a big runner.

Howells said, “All three of the runners will see out the trip. Crime Victim is exceptionally well and has improved a lot since his last outing. Beewithmee (drawn 6 Donovan Dillon rides) was a bit disappointing last time but stays well so we are taking our chances and he has improved in his workouts in the last couple of weeks. Roc N’ Rose (draw 13 Warren Kennedy rides) has a nice galloping weight and I think her last couple of races can be ignored due to the very slow pace in both. I think she is crying for this extra distance.”

Howells runs Right Approach three-year-old gelding Easy Lover from draw 11 out of 16 in the Listed Canon Business centre Handicap over 1600m and confirmed that as a horse who likes to find cover he is not the type that is suited to wide draws. He added, “He is well in himself and consistent, so as he is quite well weighted we are taking a chance. He is capable of running in the first four, but the draw could be his undoing. I think he is looking for a bit further now, but he is coming off a break and running fresh so should enjoy the 1600m.”

The yard run the Lateral filly Trini’s Colateral in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m and Howells said, “She’s a nice filly but it’s difficult from the draw. It’s a once off race so we have to take our chances. She will enjoy the extra 100m and if she overcomes the draw she is set to run in the first four.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

 

Diamond King (Nkosi Hlophe)

Diamond King needs a repeat performance

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The Tony Rivalland-trained four-year-old More Than Ready gelding Diamond King has always been a classy sort but has had “mechanical problems” chiefly related to muscles. However, according to the yard he has come back a different horse since a two-and-a-half month break on the farm.

He proved this when staying on for a decent 3,1 length sixth in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m last time out, despite being 3,5kg under sufferance with the winner. The yard said he had come out of the race exceptionally well. He is now 1,5kg better off for a 2,25 length beating by Fourth Estate in the Christmas Handicap over course and distance and has the same draw of three from that race.

His best win was over course and distance in the KZN Guineas Trial as a three-year-old and big things were expected of him at that stage. Rivalland’s assistant Terry Fripp said, “He just has to repeat his Christmas Handicap win to be a live runner.” He appeared confident that he would at least reproduce that performance.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Diamond King (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

Support for Pine Princess

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The Mike de Kock-trained Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 runner up Pine Princess appeared to be one of the most backed horses for the July over the weekend.

One on course bookmaker at Greyville commented, “They haven’t stopped coming for her”, although others said they had not been affected by the move.

The filly has shortened with Betting World from 22/1 into 18/1.

The Mike Bass-trained Helderberg Blue and the Sean Tarry-trained Tamaanee also enjoyed support at long odds and both shortened from 50/1 into 40/1.

Joint-second favourites Majmu and Futura both drifted slightly from 4/1 to 9/2.

The Conglomerate, who was a single figure price after his impressive Gr 2 KRA Guineas win, has drifted continuously since then due to support for the like of Legal Eagle and French Navy, and he then landed the widest draw of 20 on Tuesday. He put in one of the most eyecatching gallops at Greyvillle on Thursday, but this didn’t stop him drifting again from 16/1 to 18/1.

Dynastic Power drifted out from 55/1 to 66/1 and Gold Onyx is now the biggest outsider, drifting from 66/1 to 75/1.

The favourite Legal Eagle remains firm at 5/2.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Betting now open

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Tote Betting for the Vodacom Durban July opens today (June 29) and not only are huge pools predicted for all bet types, but the July place bet which pays out on the first six finishers is also a most popular wager.

The predicted pool for the Pick 6 will be R12 million. This is almost matched by the predicted July Quartet pool of R11,5 million, which includes a R1 million carry over.

The Place Accumulator has a predicted pool of R3,6 million.

The first Jackpot has a predicted pool of R2,1 million and the second Jackpot, which has a carry over of R125,000, is expected to have a pool of R1,5 million.

The expected Bipot pool is R700,000.

There are quartet carry overs in both the first and 12th races and the predicted pools are R1 million and R1,5 million respectively.

By David Thiselton

A3_VDJ Betting Feast

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Bezanova (Nkosi Hlophe)

KZN Breeders stars shone brightly.

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Alec Laird’s Bezrin gelding Bezanova has improved continuously this season and the rangy Clifton Stud-bred chestnut once again proved his liking for the Greyville turf yesterday when winning the Non-Black Type KZN Breeders Million Mile in fine style under Anton Marcus.

The other eight races, all run on the polytrack, offered good opportunites for smaller owners, each carrying a stake of R200,000, and KZN breeders flocked to the course to enjoy the action and support their horses.

The races were dominated by top jockeys and fancied runners, as the weight conditions favoured the better horses.

No Worries led the Million Mile, but Bezanova confirmed form with him from the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and stormed past halfway down the straight, pursued by the well backed Front Rank. They both hung to their right as they fought it out, but a review ascertained that Wild One, who flew for a 0,25 length second, had not been adversely affected and no further action was taken. No Worries, who won this race last year, was a touch disappointing in fourth and was followed by Solar Star.

Bezanova added this big money race to his win in the Gr 2 R600,000 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile.

It was a fine Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup preparation for Wild One, following his second in the Gr 3 Cup Trial after a long layoff.

In the Summerhill Stud KZN Breeders Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1200m the Sean Tarry- trained St Petersburg filly Faberge Style led and stayed on well to win by 0,75 lengths under S’Manga Khumalo, although she had to survive a race review due to hanging out and taking up the running of eventual third- placed Sabonana. In the Non-Black Type KZN Breeders Juvenile Plate over 1200m Anton Marcus sent the Charles Laird-trained Muhtafal colt Chosen Dash to the front and he streaked clear to win comfortably from market rival, Malak El Moolook. He was bred by Dr G and Mr C Baitz.

In the KZN Breeders 1200 for fillies and mares the talented Mark Dixon-trained Mogok filly African Dream defended her crown after being up with the pace and staying on strongly under Keagan de Melo to beat Virgo’s babe and Taking Chances. She was bred by Scott Brothers.

In the Spring Valley Stud KZN Breeders 1200 Al Ciberano looked to have it won when opening up a big lead in the straight but the classy Doug Campbell-trained five-year-old Mogok gelding Kingston Boy produced his usual strong finish under Anthony Delpech to beat him by 0,5 lengths with Mr Whatever next best. Kingston Boy was bred by Campbell’s Sugar Hill Stud and he also owns a share in him together with the Sukhraj family.

In the Piemont Stud KZN Breeders 1900 for fillies and mares, the Tarry-trained topweight Enchanted Silk looked well in and was allowed to get to the front easily from a wide draw. The four-year-old Kahal filly duly strayed on strongly under Khumalo in the straight to repel market rival Mamasita and beat her by 1,25 lengths with Chili Cholcolate next best. Enchanted Silk was bred by Gold Star Stud.

The Fort Stud KZN Breeders 1900 was also won by a well treated topweight, the Alistair Gordon-trained six-year-old Joshua Dancer gelding Joshua’s Crown, who was given a patient ride by Alec Forbes before running on strongly to win by 3,5 lengths from Baracah and Mai Thaiga. Joshua’s Crown was bred by NM Raw.

In the Scott Brothers KZN Breeders 1600 the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Dynasty gelding It Is Written was another topweight who was best in and he found a late kick under Delpech to win by 1,25 lengths from Translunar and an unlucky Roy’s Winter Patch.

In the Eightfold Path KZN Breeders 1600 for fillies and mares the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained five-year-old Kahal mare Euphoria was another well treated topweight and a patient Anton Marcus timed his run well to win by 1,75 lengths from Red Label and Injaazaat. Euphoria was bred by GAR Sturlese and P de Marigny.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Bezanova (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Gallops were a success

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Seventeen horses, including the two reserve runners for next Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July, were given little more than exercise gallops at Greyville this morning. The July gallops are a condition of entry and a large crowd turned out in some very balmy winter weather to watch their big race fancies in action. However, at this stage of their preparation most are fully wound up and not much can be read into the gallops although there were a few standouts.

Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)

Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)

Top weight Futura looked a picture in the paddock and although asked to do very little by big race rider Sean Cormack, he strode out beautifully and he looks fine tuned for next Saturday.

The Conglomerate was an enthusiastic worker on the poly and pulled Anton Marcus through nicely. The Aussie-bred colt has it all to do from 20 draw and apprentice Chad Schofield will be given a baptism of fire in what is often a rough race. However, Schofield will have two rides in preceding races to give him a feel for the track.

Mike de Kock’s two fillies, Majmu and Pine Princess, moved smoothly on the poly track and look in prime condition.

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mike Bass sent out Helderbeg Blue in cheek pieces for the first time as the gelding can be something of a handful. “I sent him out for a walk in them yesterday and he seemed Ok so we will see how he goes in them today.” The gelding worked up nicely alongside companion Night Trip in what was a pleasing bit of work.

Ice Machine was one of the few runners to be given a good workout. Donovan Dillion, who has his first ride in the race, sent Charles Laird’s runner from the 1400 m mark and worked the last 400m in a solid 21.51 seconds.

Wylie Hall moved smoothly under his big race rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe without being asked to extend and Weiho Marwing was all smiles after the gallop.

The fastest 400m to finish time was set by Marwing’s reserve runner Mac De Lago who clocked 21.34 secs under Fayd’Herbe. He also set the quickest 800m to finish time with stable companion Fulcrum in tow.

By Andrew Harrison

Pictures

  1. Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)
  2. Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)
  3. The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)
The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Media Release: Vodacom Durban July Gallops

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The official July Gallops at Greyville in Durban today were once again a successful lead-up to the R3.5-million Vodacom Durban July in just over a week’s time and the one thing that stood out was that all 17 of the horses that galloped looked to be in top racing trim.

A good crowd gathered at the central Durban venue for the early morning exercise looking comforted in the chilly morning area by the hot coffee and sticky buns and enjoyed watching the magnificent animals put through their paces.

Very little was gleaned from the morning’s events as few of the big-race candidates were asked to do more than a moderate gallop and a few hardly did more than a canter. But there were some that were allowed to step up the pace and the quickest of them was the big-race second reserve Mac De Mago from the Wieho Marwing stable. The three-year-old colt, that finished second to The Conglomerate in the KRA Guineas, was allowed to really stretch his legs and posted the fastest time from both the 800m and 400m marks, stopping the clock for the final distance in 21.34 secs.

As presenter Kevin Shea remarked “I’d like to see him in the race.”

Also putting in good finishing times were the Charles Laird-trained Ice Machine that covered the final 400m on the turf in 21.51 secs. On the polytrack, the Mike de Kock filly Pine Princess clocked 21.6 secs and The Conglomerate was timed at 21.99 secs.

On individual looks, there was nothing to touch the star Dynasty colt Futura. He looked magnificent and while he was not asked to do much his mere presence and the way he went about his work left one with the impression that in spite of carrying top weight of 60kg – no winner of the race has carried more than 58kg since Monteith that shouldered 59kg in 1944 – he will still be a massive runner in this race.

Trainer Justin Snaith was not happy that the runners had been forced to gallop right on the outside of the track but appeared happy with his charge’s work while jockey Sean Cormack said it was a super gallop. Kevin Shea, now retired and a presenter at the meeting, was of the opinion that in spite of the weight, Futura would be a “massive runner”.

Trainer De Kock’s two fillies, Majmu and Pine Princess, both worked on the polytrack and he was happy with both of them. They were allowed to speed up and after Majmu’s work Shea said it gave one “goose bumps” just watching her beautiful action.

De Kock said in a brief interview after the gallops that the minor setback Majmu had experienced which led to her withdrawal from the Woolavington 2000 had not had any effect on the filly’s preparation and in fact might have been a good thing as she ran well when fresh.

Anthony Delpech let Pine Princess stretch out in the finishing straight and as she had appeared keen to get on with it early, she enjoyed really stretching her legs and put up a very good gallop.

The Conglomerate from the Joey Ramsden stable put up an impressive gallop, quickening up well in the straight. He has a nice action and stretched out well and Ramsden said he was happy with the work. He added that colt had been given a gallop at Summerveld before going to Greyville and when asked about the 20 draw he said it did not trouble him and it may be in the colt’s favour.

Marwing’s principal runner in the race, Wylie Hall, impressed with the manner of his work. He led the gallop from companion Isobar with his head tucked in early and displaying an air of confidence. He just got on with the job and strode out beautifully in the straight and looked magnificent.

When Deputy Judd from the Mike Azzie stable strode out in his gallop it would have taken many back some 37 years to when the orange with black crossed sashes and orange sleeves colours he sported were carried by one of the greatest horses in South Africa racing, the mighty Politician. The three-year-old Judpot colt looked outstanding which is a hallmark of the Azzie stable and he worked like he knew he had a major mission to complete.

Azzie said afterwards that the colt was a very laid back individual but he had come on a lot since coming to KwaZulu-Natal and he was “In the play.”

Also working well was Power King from the Dean Kannemeyer stable. He worked with stayer Solid Speed and was kept under a tight hold but had a presence about him which suggested we could see a very special performance from him in the big one in 10 days’ time.

Punta Arenas appeared to work better than Dynamic Power for trainer Stan Elley but both showed they were in top form as did the other runners Helderberg Blue, Tamaanee, Gold Onyx, Halve The Deficit and Dynamic.

The big race favourite Legal Eagle worked with Sean Tarry stable companion French Navy in a recorded gallop on the Highveld along with the Geoff Woodruff-trained Tellina. All three appeared to be working well in the less than perfect film but little could be extracted from the exercise other than they looked fit and well.

Picture: The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

futura nkosi hlophe gallop

Snaith confident

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Justin Snaith yesterday dismissed suggestions that second favourite Futura will have problems staying the trip under 60kg in a true-run Vodacom Durban July.

He said: “I have no doubts whatsoever about the horse’s stamina. Indeed if he wasn’t so good that he is in the July he would be running in the Gold Cup.”

The doubts were raised by Sporting Post editor Karel Miedema in last week’s paper when he said: “If I had to take a guess from the pedigree, and also considering Futura’s efforts to date, I’d say he could have a problem with stamina in a true-run 2 200m July carrying top weight.”

Miedema, one of the most knowledgeable people in South African racing, also made the point that Futura’s 120 merit rating has been gained in a succession of slow run races, adding: “Horses just do not improve as much as Futura’s jump from 106 to 120 suggests.

“Last year’s July was the second slowest in the last 20 years, this year’s Queen’s Plate the slowest and this year’s Met the third slowest.”

Snaith also has doubts about the ratings but not just concerning Futura, saying: “The ratings of horses in this country are so elevated it’s frightening. The handicappers seem to think we produce champion after champion every year.

“But I don’t think Futura is the only badly handicapped horse in the race. Majmu, off 55k and giving a Derby winner a kilo, is a big ask – indeed just as much of a big ask as Futura with 60kg.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)