David Thiselton

The highlights of the weekend racing, besides the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting, were the outstanding performance of One Stripe in the Resorts World Casino Gr1 Manhattan Stakes, a traditional Gr 1 on the turf at the Belmont Stakes meeting, which took place this year at Saratoga racecourse, and some Hollywoodbets Durban July entries running at Turffontein yesterday, including the traditional pointer race, the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes.

Gavin Lerena relaxed One Stripe from the off in the Gr 1 WFA Manhattan Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter (1900m) and he had him beautifully switched off at the back of the field. He sent him for home just before the final turn and the Drakenstein Stud-bred One World colt swept past a number of horses rounding the turn on the outside. When straightening he still had plenty of work to do and ran on well to pip the favourite and pacemaker Rhetorical for third. He was just a length behind the winner Deterministic with Test Score beaten half-a-length in second. The winner broke the course record which is enough to stamp the Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned One Stripe as a world class turf thoroughbred, especially considering his Gr 1 runner up finishes in two previous starts.

In the Jubilee Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside yesterday the consistent James Crawford-trained Master Of My Fate five-year-old gelding Aladdin’s Lamp, who is not a July entry, was backed into 28/10 favourite. He carried 54kg off a 106 merit rating and relaxed well from the off from draw two under Callan Murray, as did the three-drawn July entry Copper Eagle, a three-year-old carrying 54,5kg off a 110 rating. Pressonregardless led but was passed late by the running on Aladdin’s Lamp who came from midfield. Aladdin’s Lamp went to the line half-a-length ahead of Copper Eagle who ran on well from just behind the winner in the running. Pressonregardless was third and the second favourite Olivia’s Way, carrying 55,5kg off a 114 rating, was more handy than usual and stayed on well late, as usual, for a 1,80 length fourth. Olivia’s Way was 19^th on the first Hollywoodbets Durban July log and she is unlikely to have enhanced her standing in the eyes of the final field panellists, but might maintain her position due to the like of Eight On Eighteen being scratched and some other below par runs from some of the 20 on the log incumbents.

Copper Eagle put his hand up for consideration whilst Atticus Finch ran a 4,20 length seventh, so might come under pressure as the 18^th horse on the first log. July entries Aristotle, Wild Intent and Buster Barnes were further back in the Jubilee and their chances of making the final field look remote.

Later, the Gr 1 SA Classic winner, the Sean Tarry-trained Grand Empire, ran in a Pinnacle over 1400m and ran a well below par 5,10 length eighth. His Gr 1 winner status might save him from being demoted from the 20th position on the first July log. However, the run will now keep the connections on tenterhooks.

The most impressive performance of the day was by the Joe Soma-trained Master Of My Fate gelding Errol Flynn, who won the TAB Egoli Mile by 2,60 lengths in effortless fashion under Keagan de Melo. He is already a July scratching and is Summer Cup bound, but this run might tempt the connections to supplement him for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July, although he was rated just 102 going in to the Egoli Mile.

Andrew Harrison

Questioning has come a long way in his career. Always among the top echelons he earned a label of almost but not quite there. That has changed dramatically in the past four months as he has rattled off five consecutive victories culmination in a tremendous but nail-biting finish to the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday where he showed guts and ability to get the better of Legal Counsel in a no quarters asked finish with little more than a nose separating the pair at the line.

Gladatorian produced his usual strong finish to take third ahead of The Real Prince who was also running at them late.

It was a masterful training feat by Vaughan Marshall who is closing on the 40^th Gr1 success of his career. When asked about the recent improvement in Question’s form, he put it down to the horse having finally matured.

Tristan Godden rode a canny race on the rank outsider of Justin Snaith’s trio that consisted of See It Again and Eight On Eighteen. From a good draw, he sent Legal Counsel to the lead tracked by two-time Challenge winner Dave The King and Tin Pan Alley and most expected the son of Legislate to call it a day in the chase for home.

However, he kept finding and Richard Fourie on Questioning was forced to show his hand a little earlier than he would have liked. Fourie sat for a long way before making his challenge but still admitted that he had gone too early. “I came into the straight and fired him up a little too soon. I know that he’s not an ideal miler and it was a great ride from Tristan who set nice, good fractions and at one stage I thought that he was going a bit fast. But he knew what he had underneath him and I drew past him at the 300 a good half a length and then it became hard work.  I knew the line was coming and we both had our doubts. Tristan said did you get there or did I get there? Normally I’m good at splitting them but I just said I can’t tell you, it was that close.”

 Marshall admitted post-race that he was not confident of Questioning seeing out the trip. “ I had my doubts over the 1600 I must be honest. He came so close in the King’s Plate. He confound the critics there and he’s done it here. So yes I’m a little surprised but very, very elated.”

“He’s just matured and turned into a really good horse. He enjoys his work and just looks magnificent. He’s a pleasure to train.”

Given that Questioning takes this race well, his next mission will be the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and victory there could elevate him into ‘just a good horse’ but into challenging for Equus Horse of the Year.

There were a number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls on display on Saturday and if anything they muddied the waters.

Best performance came from Legal Counsel and depending on which line-horse the handicappers use, he could find himself up there with See It Again on 62 kg.

See It Again ran a lacklustre race and showed little enthusiasm in the run for the line and stable companion Eight On Eighteen faded out with Just Snaith scratching him from the July entry list yesterday morning.

Gladatorian ran his usual game race and finished like a train for third. The Real Prince was also running on to the line and it remains to be seen whether Dean Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables and also Stuart Ferrie are  tempted by the R10 million stake of the July or take the more conservative route to the Gr1 HKJC Champion Stakes WFA.

The Gr3 Cup Trial is traditionally the last chance saloon for borderline July entries and it will be back to the drawing boards for most. The grey Zeitz, not a July entry, ran on stoutly to beat July hopeful I Salute You who was giving the winner 2.5kg. Before Saturday’s race I Salute You was set to carry 53kg in the July. JP’s Palace kicked on nicely for third but was getting 7kg from I Salute You while Field Marshal may have blown his chances of a July birth.

Regulation was most disappointing although he did not get the run of the race, being caught three wide for much of the trip but lacked a finishing effort.

The Gr2 HKJC World Pool Stakes saw another bruising finish with favourite Quickstepgal and Mon Petit Cherie fighting out a head-and-head duel to the line. Mon Petit Cherie ran her heart out from her 13 draw and headed Quickstepgal, but Tienie Prinsloo’s filly was not to be denied and Keagan de Melo got Quickstepgal to rally and get her nose in front and also survive an objection.

Behind them was July hopeful Mocha Blend who missed the break but was running on stoutly over a distance well short of her best in what was a smart piece of work on her July prep.

RACE 1

A competitive looking opening event. PRINCESS OF AJIAAL showed improvement when trying the Polytrack for the first time and can win a race of this nature. ON THE OUTSIDE is unreliable but is also not out of it. REMIND ME OF YOU makes her debut and has Richard Fourie in the irons for Alan Greeff and she could be ready to score.

RACE 2

WALK RIGHT IN makes her local debut and is trying the Polytrack but could score. AMERICAN GEM needed her last run and can be a real threat on best form. ENGELANDPARK has struggled of late but could earn some minor money over this course and distance. TRULY MAGICAL has shown improvement recently and can contest the finish once again. FOCAL POINT is in good shape and is not out of it. SKIP THE LINE makes her debut but would not be a surprise winner.

RACE 3

WOMAN IN GOLD was unreliable in the Western Cape and makes her Polytrack debut, but if she is to reproduce her best form she should win. SALAGADOOLA is not reliable but is also not out of it. CAN WE START was a disappointment when stepped up in distance and could bounce back to beat these rivals over this distance. EXPLOSIVE GIFT has been in good form of late and should be a real threat. AM STILL WINNING is unreliable but might earn some money.

RACE 4

A very open race and one should go very wide in all the exotics, especially the Pick 6. ANATOLIAN SILVER is not well drawn but has held form well and could be ready for a winning turn. MAKHACHEV is in good form and not out of it. RICHARDTHEFEARLESS likes the Polytrack and is a dangerous front-runner on his day. DAS GUTE and GREEN ISLE are both coming off solid wins and must be included. SUPREME JUDGE, PAST AND PRESENT, DISRUPTIVE and SAN QUINTIN are all in good form and capable of winning.

RACE 5

SPOIL YOURSELF is often caught way out of her ground but she is capable of a storming finish and can win over this course and distance. LANA VIEW has been at the top of her game lately and is now hat-trick seeking. This distance does stretch her, though. TERMINAL VELOCITY disappointed with blinkers on last time out and they are carded to be on again, but she can score if they are removed. WELSH STARLET won some nice races earlier this season and could be a threat at this level. CHRONICLESOFNANIA, PRESERVE FOREVER and DARLING GIRL are others to consider.

RACE 6

A tough card and another open race. PORFIRIO has had a tremendous season and is quite capable of scoring again. GLOBAL ALLY is right at home over this course and distance and should fight out the finish. BRENDEN JAMES is unreliable but can make the frame. SILVONIAN remains in good shape but is taking on tougher this time. LAGUNA VERDE returned to form with a solid win and can follow up. GEORGE HANDEL is up in class but capable of a strong finish when in the right mood.

RACE 7

MORFELIHA only found one better on the day last time. She was a game winner before that and the form has worked out well. FIERY COUNTESS ran in a decent field last time out and should do better this time around. KINGS AGAIN is very consistent and also capable of winning. GENOVEFA is hat-trick seeking but this does look a tougher bunch. PRISCILLA MAISEY is not reliable but she is capable of scoring in this division. STRANGE MAGIC is in good form and is another to consider.

RACE 8

CASPERITA tried her luck unsuccessfully in better fields than this and she could bounce back to beat these rivals. OCEAN FLAME has not been beaten far in her recent starts and could earn some money. MY AMI BEACH is capable of an upset if given a strong early gallop. RED LHASA showed what she is capable of with some success last time out and might have more to offer. FREE WORLD put up a decent run last time and is well drawn so must be respected. BLACK PATH and VOORSMAAKIE could pop up into the places.

David Thiselton

The Daily News 2000 meeting always has an impact on the Hollywoodbets Durban July and the reaction of the handicappers and the bookmakers to the result of the Daily News 2000 and to the Woolavington 2000 is always one of the talking points.

Owner Jonathan Bloch has only ever had one Durban July runner before and it had an interesting name, Ess Five Beaches, which was the address of a residence owned by the late great owner-breeder Graham Beck. However, Bloch now part-owns all three of the horses who are currently at the top of the July boards with the sponsor,  Star Major, Note To Self and Wish List.

It is always interesting that the bookmakers seem to prefer winners to lightly weighted horses, because of course the handicappers job is to equalize the chances of horses in a race if they were to meet again. The handicappers used the fourth-placed Viva’s Liberte as the line horse for the Daily News 2000 and raised Star Major four points to 122 and raised Happy Verse nine points to 119.

However, the sponsor shortened Star Major to  7/2, with Note To Self and Wish List now 11/2, while Happy Verse is out at 8/1 together with See It Again and Regulation.

Punters might prefer to look for horses who benefit from the raise in weights of others.

Note To Self should be cherry ripe for the July and being by stamina influence Futura out of a mare by stamina influence Judpot augurs well for the step up in trip to 2200m. Note To Self didn’t have as immediate a turn of foot as Star Major or Happy Verse and another discussion point might be whether he would benefit from blinkers. This might help him gallop resolutely from a long way out and make it into a stamina test.

Happy Verse has always been a horse who has oozed class and he is now beginning to fulfil it. The Daily News 2000 was his third run after gelding and he at last showed the class he had always promised. He can progress further as he had a nice smooth race in the Daily News and that should have brought him on, so he should be a big runner in the July. He is by Vercingetorix, who won the Daily News 2000 and a Gr 1 in Dubai over the same trip, out of a mare by stamina influence Giant’s Causeway, so he should also enjoy the July trip.

Star Major will also be a big runner. His part-owner Ravi Naidoo has preached this horse from a long time ago and he has proved to be spot on.  The Querari colt has matured into a top class horse and can follow in the footsteps of the like of Big City Life and Legislate by winning the Guineas, the Daily News and the July, although the latter pair had also both won the Cape Derby before arriving in KZN. Big City Life carried a mere 51kg in the July in an era when topweight was 58kg, while Legislate carried a record weight for a winning three-year-old of 56kg in a race where topweight was 60kg, although he did win it via the boardroom with an upheld objection whose outcome drew plenty of criticism. Star Major will, as things stand, carry 56kg too, although the topweight this year will be 62kg.

A horse who has snuck into the July picture is the Gr1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire. He was in position 20 on the first July log, but after the scratching of both Okavango and Jan Van Goyen, he could come into the all important top 18. On the negative side for Grand Empire is, although he might end up with bottom weight, how good a preparation is he going to have had by the time of the July? His final run before the July comes on Sunday at Turffontein in a 1400m Pinnacle event, so he will not have enjoyed as good a build up into the big race as the like of Happy Verse have had.

Happy Verse was in the outside looking in horses on the first log, and will likely leapfrog Grand Empire, so the latter might still be under pressure for a place in the final field.

On the other hand, Hazy Dazy, who was in 14th place on the first log, might be in trouble after seemingly being outclassed in the Daily News by the males as she was beaten 11,40 lengths into 8th. She might be dropped from the log.

Wish List has the same 117 rating as Hazy Dazy, so will carry 53,5kg in the July as things stand. Her four wins on the trot include two Gr 1s and two Gr 2s. She will easily get the July trip being a daughter of Legislate out of a Silvano mare, Wind Chill, who won the SA Oaks. There are not many horses who would fetched the pacemaker the way she did on Saturday as she had to make up a lot of ground up off a slow pace. However, the question is how much the effort took out of her. It was likely not quite the race the connections had envisaged.

Meanwhile, the next big upheaval to the betting and log positions etc happens this Saturday in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge race meeting, which not only features the Gold Challenge itself, but also the all important Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m, which is always a big July pointer race.

Regulation will be under big pressure to win the Cup Trial. He is an 8/1 shot for the July with the sponsor, despite having been in the outside looking in horses on the first log. He will likely need to win the race to definitely force his way in and on the downside he has drawn wide in barrier ten out of 11 for Saturday’s race. If he does win it there will be more pressure on the like of borderline horses like Grand Empire.

David Thiselton

Star Major is the second favourite for the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and this progressive Querari colt has been in fine fettle at Randjesfontein after his superb win in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas.

Tim Woodruff is the Randjesfontein assistant to trainer James Crawford and he said about the Maine Chance Farms-bred bay, who is owned by passionate Durban-born owner, Ravi Naidoo, together with Neville Isdell, Mr J I Bloch and Mrs Prakashni Pillay.

Tim said, “He is all good, we have just tried to freshen him up because it is a quick turnaround between races, but he is doing good. You do get your things between races you sometimes have to deal with, but I do think he will be alright for the Daily News.”

Star Major jumped from a wide  draw in the WSB Guineas and was dropped out.

He turned for home in last place with a number of lengths to make up, but then produced a good turn of foot followed by an impressively resolute finish coupled with an eyecatching late gear change that saw him surging to a 0,90 length victory over the hot favourite Tin Pan Alley.

 Of course sectional timing invariably shows that apparent late surges or apparent flying finishes are usually an optical illusion caused by the other horses slowing down at a more rapid rate than the apparently strong-finishing horse. Invariably the surging horse is actually also slowing down.

Indeed the sectional timing of the WSB Guineas shows Star Major’s 100m to finish time to be his slowest sectional of the entire race.

However the fact that he was able to have the fastest 100m to finish time of the whole field, despite having had to make up many lengths to get there, seems to show that he has got some stamina.

He did win the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m and finished a fair 3,20 length fourth in the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000m, both at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. In the latter race he ran on despite having been a bit keen in the running.

That would illustrate he has the stamina, but hopefully he will be able to settle better this time.

He settled very well in  the WSB Guineas and due to his wide draw Tim Woodruff said the same tactic of being dropped out will be employed.

He added, “Obviously it’s a short straight so it’s obviously not ideal. But just looking for a good run  and then obviously the July afterwards.”

He gave his opinion on the 2000m distance, “He should get the trip.”

Querari won a Gr 1 over 2000m and Star Major is out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano and this mare not only won over 1900m, but was an own sister to Follow The Star, who won the Listed Glenair Trophy over 2800m.

So on pedigree he will easily stay the trip.

Mickaelle Michel retains the ride and if winning it she will become only the second woman in SA history to win a Gr 1, the only one to date to have won one being Lisa Prestwood on the Buddy Maroun-trained Al Nitak in the Golden Horse Sprint on June 1, 2023, almost exactly 23 years ago.

Mickaelle has been in excellent form and Tim confirmed that if everything went well in the Daily News she would keep the ride for the Hollywoodbets Durban July too.

Tim agreed she had been outriding many of her male weighing room colleagues and added, “She has got the touch.”

It would be somewhat ironic if Mickaelle did win the Daily News with a horse conditioned by assistant trainer Woodruff, because Tim’s mother Carol (nee Millard) was the first woman to have a professional license in SA. She had started riding work for her legendary father Terrance Millard at the age of 12 and from age 14 started riding in and winning many amateur races. She was apprenticed overseas and rode in the tough school of England and Germany in professional races. However, the SA authority of the time refused to allow her to ride in professional races in SA, gross unfairness. To get around the legalities the authority installed a rule that overseas apprentices wee not allowed to ride here. This came back to bite them because years later a top apprentice from Europe came over only for everybody to discover he was not allowed to ride here. Carol was able to ride in Cape Hunt races against professional jockeys, ironically a more dangerous discipline than flat racing, and she was able to ride in Zimbabwe under a “Day” license, which was usually utilised when there were not enough professional riders available. She remembers winning a Cape Hunt race on Hawkins, who had formerly been one of Terrance Millard’s many Gold Cup winners. She also finished second in “The Schweppes” in Zimbabwe.

But back to Star Major, who is still a colt meaning a Daily News win will look very good on his stallion CV.

Tim said, “If you win the Guineas and the Daily News it is just next level.”

Tim said Star Major had a fine chance of realising the dream of Ravi Naidoo and no doubt all the other owners too, a win in the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.

He concluded, “He is ticking all the boxes, He’s a machine.”