Category Archives: Daily News

rabada its my turn

Rabada tops the boards

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Rabada has been installed 7-1 favourite for Sansui Summer Cup and last season’s Daily News winner  impressed when partnered by Anton Marcus in a solo spin over 1 400m at Turffontein on Saturday morning.

Brett Crawford, who flew to Johanesburg to supervise the work, said: “It was a good gallop and I was very happy with what I saw.”

Betting World makes Triple Crown winner Abashiri second favourite at 10-1 jointly with Liege and goes 12-1 Samurai Blade, 14-1 Juxtapose, St Tropez, 16-1 Mac De Lago, The Conglomerate, Master Sabina, Ten Gun Salute, Deo Juvente, 18-1 Negroamaro, 20-1 and upwards others.

Derek Brugman, Markus Jooste’s racing manager, said : “I am surprised that Rabada is favourite but I think he is good enough to be competitive. Obviously he is a little behind schedule [after missing his comeback run because of an over-reach] but he doesn’t take a lot of work. He will go on to the Summer Cup after running in the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile.

“The Conglomerate will also probably run in the Charity Mile as a prep for the Summer Cup while St Tropez and Deo Juvente will go the same route.”

Rabada is 5-1 favourite for the Charity Mile with World Sports Betting which also goes 7-1 New Predator, 8-1 Champagne Haze, 9-1 St Tropez, 12-1 and upwards others.

Michael Clower

rabada its my turn

Rabada moves to Crawford

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Rabada, winner of the Premiers Champion and Daily News for Mike Azzie, has changed stables and is now trained by Brett Crawford. The four-year-old is temporarily with Mike de Kock in Gauteng and is being prepared for the first part of the Johannesburg season.

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Crawford said: “Rabada came to me in the middle of July and he runs first in the Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on October 8. He is in the Sansui Summer Cup but his mission is the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile on November 5.”

The Philippi trainer will run last year’s Horse Chestnut winner Captain America in the Kuda Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on October 9. The six-year-old is the highest rated horse in the 1 400m Grade 3 and was third in last season’s J & B Met after finishing fourth in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and beating Futura in the Green Point.

Crawford said: “The programme is again the Green Point, Queen’s Plate and Met if all goes well.”

Crawford has never won the Matchem or the fillies equivalent on the same card, the Diana Stakes, but this time he also has the top-rated in that –Alexis, winner of last season’s Tibouchina. The five-year-old will start her campaign in this and then head towards the Klawervlei Majorca on Met day.

Joey Ramsden won last year’s Matchem with Act Of War and the 2011 running with Variety Club. He is responsible for all five three-year-olds among the 22 entries and his quintet includes Langerman winner Table Bay as well as the third and fourth, Newlands and Attenborough. The last-named reappears at Durbanville on Wednesday.

Ramsden also has four of the five three-year-olds entered in the Diana including Irridescence scorer Captain Gambler.

Michael Clower

Rabada (Left) It's My Turn (right)-Nkosi Hlophe

Rabada rules, Bela-Bela rocks

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The fireworks expected from a competitive field in Saturday’s R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000 were reduced to a fizzle when the pace was slowed to a crawl and the 16 runners doddled through the first part of the classic event and turned it into a sprint in the home straight.

Rabada (Left) It's My Turn (right)-Nkosi Hlophe

Rabada (left) It’s My Turn (right)-Nkosi Hlophe

It played into the hands of favourite Rabada whose jockey Anton Marcus admitted he had had some doubts about the Brave Tin Soldier colt staying a true-run 2 000m trip. But when settling in behind pacemaker Sylvester The Cat at a moderate gallop those fears were dispelled – only to be replaced at the top of the straight by a different point of concern when he dropped his stick and was forced to urge the beautifully prepared colt along with his hands and heels and the flick of the reins.

And the Mike Azzie-trained colt responded admirably to hold off the challenge from the Dynasty gelding It’s My Turn that was on the verge of giving trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Anthony Delpech a Grade 1 double on the day after their win with Bela-Bela in the R1-million Woolavington 2000 a half an hour earlier. Rabada also scuttled Delpech’s bid for a feature race treble after taking the Grade 2 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup on favourite Balance Sheet for Dean Kannemeyer earlier.

The pace will also have affected the chances of a few other runners that might otherwise have given a better account of themselves but trainer Azzie took the win as a confirmation of his long-held belief that his charge, who recorded his second Grade 1 win having been successful in the Premier’s Champion Stakes last season, would see out the trip.

While there was little to be learned from the state of the three-year-old colts and geldings there was much to be excited about by the Dynasty filly Bela-Bela that put up a scintillating performance in the Woolavington 2000 that finished off the race in a manner that had one feeling she had just jumped into the contest at the top of the straight. Coming from well back behind pacemaker Negroamaro Delpech gave the filly her head and the rocket boosters kicked in to see her fly past everything to win by nearly two lengths.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, as eye-catching as the performance was, it has to be seen in the light of the pace of the race which, like the main event that was to follow, was also more than two seconds slower than the class average.

Commenting after the race, Delpech said he had ridden some top fillies in his career and Igugu was the best but, referring to Bela-Bela, “she is the second best.”

Snaith hedged when questioned on the future plans for Bela-Bela as far as the Vodacom Durban July was concerned saying “we will have to make the right decisions. It is up to the owners.”

For Kannemeyer it was another great day at the office as his stable produced yet another feature winner in the season when taking the 2 400m Lonsdale Stirrup Cup with the Silvano gelding Balance Sheet ahead of Heidelberg Blue, No Worries and Crime Victim.

The four-year-old gelding is owned by Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell who also own Helderberg Blue, that is trained by Mike Bass, in partnership with Ingrid and Markus Jooste making it a one-two for the famous white, blue and pink colours associated with many top horses in the past including the great Pocket Power.

Abashiri – July ‘here we come’

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Owner Adriaan van Vuuren was on course at Greyville on Saturday and said his beloved  Lammerskraal Stud-bred Mike Azzie-trained SA Triple Crown-winning hero Abashiri had recovered well from his grueling SA Derby victory and if things continued to go well he would definitely line up for the Vodacom Durban July.

Van Vuuren has won many fans due to both his passion for the Sport Of Kings and an obvious love of horses and he is already embracing the July with the same enthusiasm he brought to Turffontein for the Triple Crown bid.

In fact on Saturday he delivered a gift bag to the manager of Lammerskraal Stud, Sally Jourdan, which contained, all in his bright orange colours, an Abashiri theme scarf, cap, bottle of champagne, flash drive with all of his wins on it, a ‘King Abashiri’ saddle cloth, and a personalised T-Shirt for Jourdan with the words “Abashiri, Vodacom Durban July 2016 here we come” and on the back “Go Abba go.”

David Thiselton

Support for Snaith runners

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Bela-Bela has been cut from 11-1 to 7-1 for the Vodacom Durban July after her impressive win in the Woolavington on Saturday while stable companion Black Arthur has hardened considerably at the top of the market following his convincing gallop before racing.

World Sports Betting has cut the favourite from 11-2 to 4-1 and yet another Justin Snaith contender It’s My Turn, previously a 25-1 shot, has been slashed to 12-1. He was only beaten a quarter of a length by Rabada in the Daily News.

Michael Clower

rabada its my turn

Delpech dilemma

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Anthony Delpech was left with a headache any jockey would like to have after winning the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 on Saturday aboard the Justin Snaith-trained Bela-Bela and Anton Marcus also now faces a tough decision on whom he will ride in the Vodacom Durban July after the Mike Azzie-trained Rabada’s win in the Gr 1 Daily New 2000.

Both riders would set a new mark of five July victories in the saddle were they to win the big one this year as they are currently joint-record holders with the great Harold “Tiger” Wright.

On Saturday Delpech’s narrow Daily News runner up was ironically named It’s My Turn as the top jockey was coming off five SA Champions Season Graded race victories in succession – somebody else finally had a turn.

Rabada-It's My Turn

Anton Marcus ‘flicking the reins’ at Rabada with It’s My Turn (Delpech) closing in (Nkosi Hlophe)

Marcus admitted dropping the whip shortly after turning for home on Rabada had been a worrying moment, especially aboard a horse who had always responded well to reminders. However, like a true professional he compensated by flicking the rein into Rabada’s range of vision and the robust bay duly found extra to repel Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn. However, the latter would likely have been pencilled into more July note books as he has an impressive stride and was closing rapidly despite the earlier crawl they had travelled at. He failed by 0,25 lengths to give both Snaith and Delpech what could well have been a unique Guineas and 2000 double-double, the pair having won both the Daisy Fillies Guineas and Canon Guineas with Bela-Bela and Black Arthur respectively at the beginning of the month.

Delpech’s only loss in the six previous SA Champions Season Graded races this year was in the opening one aboard the now retired Legislate in the IOS Drill Stakes.

Anton Marcus, when posed the question about Rabada staying the July trip, replied, “The pace today was pedestrian.”

This played into the Summerhill Stud-bred Brave Tin Soldier colt’s hands as he found the box seat behind the leader from a good draw and his stamina reserves were not put to the true test.

“At the moment I am just happy to have won this race for Markus,” he continued,  referring to champion owner Markus Jooste, for whom he is the retained rider. Rabada’s July participation will likely be discussed by Azzie, Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman and jockey Marcus. Jooste’s leading July hope at present among a few contenders would likely be fast-finishing Betting World 1900 runner up St. Tropez.

Another eyecatching July Trial in Saturday’s Daily News was run by the Gavin Van Zyl-trained Rocketball, who reached top gear close to home and was finishing strongly with an impressive stride. Third-placed Mambo Mime also ran on well representing last year’s July-winning combination, Dean Kannemeyer and Stuart Randolph, and so did fifth-placed Ten Gun Salute.

However, the three-year-old males are all likely to carry the minimum allowed July weight for their age and gender of 53kg, because even the current 106 merit rating of the highest rated of them, Rabada and Black Arthur, means being 2kg under sufferance with top merit rated entry Legal Eagle (120).

Rabada might go up a point or two if Rocketball, rated 105 and beaten 1,5 lengths is used as the line horse, and It’s My Turn (101) and Mambo Mime (100) will in that case be raised too, but it will all be superfluous in the July picture unless Legal Eagle is scratched before the setting of the weights.

Black Arthur put up a gallop before the first race on Saturday and, striding out very well under Delpech, pulled away effortlessly from his companion, who had given him a lead. The work out pleased both Delpech and Snaith.

Bela-Bela with Anthony Delpech up (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela with Anthony Delpech up (Nkosi Hlophe)

Cheveley Stud-bred Dynasty filly Bela-Bela might also be raised a point or two from 107 if 104-rated Heaps Of Fun, beaten 2,1 lengths, is used as the line horse, especially considering the ease of the win. This will be significant because for every point above 108 she will carry 0,5kg above the minimum allowed July weight for a three-year-old filly of 52kg.

Delpech spoke about Bela-Bela’s amazing turn of foot and described her as the second best filly he had ever ridden after 2011 July hero Igugu.

The energetic grey, like a lot of world class fillies, nods her head in the running, perhaps an indication of how much she loves her job, and she looked the winner a mile out.

Negroamara stayed on well for a 1,75 length second and Nightingale, hampered around the turn when Ruler Of The Sky broke down, was staying on even stronger for a  good third.

Negroamaro’s owner Laurence Wernars still seeks his first Gr 1 win after 25 years of owning racehorses, but this was another of a few Gr 1 seconds he has had. Drill Hall winner New Predator later disappointed in the Wernar colours in the Daily News and likely didn’t stay the trip.

Earlier, Kannemeyer and Delpech had combined to win the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. The first time Kannemeyer put this Silvano gelding beyond 2000m he finished second in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup and this was only his second attempt beyond that distance. He remains in the July picture. However, winning the Lonsdale off a 98 merit rating at the expense of a slightly unlucky Heldeberg Blue might not be enough to get into the big race. The Gr 2 Gold Vase and/or Gold Cup route looks more sensible anyway.

David Thiselton

rabada

Rabada – read all about it

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Give the man half a chance and he will take your whole hand. There were many hard luck stories back in the scrum as a slow pace marred the running of the Gr1 Daily News 2000 but for Anton Marcus it was manna from heaven as he nursed favourite Rabada through to win from It’s My Turn, Mambo Mime and Rocketball.

With none of the riders willing to commit it was left to Sylvester The Cat to pull himself to the front but once there, Craig Zackey put on the brakes.

Marcus had Rabada in the box seat while Anthony Delpech, looking for a hat-trick of feature wins, was forced to track wide to avoid the scrum on his inside and the two fancied runners joined battle at the top of the straight.

With Marcus dropping his stick at the entrance to the straight it looked as if It’s My Turn had his measure but Rabada kept finding to the

Rabada edges It's My Turn (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada edges It’s My Turn (Nkosi Hlophe)

line. “I had my doubts about him staying,” said Marcus post-race. “But we were helped by the slow pace up front.”

“I dropped my stick at the top of the straight and was just flicking the reins at him. It was a really game win.”

“I always maintained that he was a good horse,” said Michael Azzie and Rabada has repaid that faith. It was also the second Grade 1 win for Rabada a son of Summerhill-based Brave Tin Soldier.

Earlier Justin Snaith would not be drawn on whether star filly Bela-Bela would take her place in the Vodacom Durban July after landing the odds in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000. It was an impressive performance by the grey who was given another professional ride by Delpech.

“I never had any doubt that she would stay,” said Snaith but neatly side-stepped the July issue. “She’s a very good filly and we will have to make the right decision. It will be up to the owners.”

“She saddled up very quietly, and I thought ‘Oh no! not another one,’” referring to the now retired Legislate. But she carried her temperament into the race. “She seemed half asleep in the race but there are few horses that have a turn of foot like she’s got,’ said Delpech.

Bela-Bela with Anthony Delpech up (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela with Anthony Delpech up (Nkosi Hlophe)

The crack rider had Bela-Bela racing one off the rail with arch rival Nightingale on his inside. He kept Grant van Niekerk tight on the rail and got first run at the top of the straight. With Delpech’s stick flicking down her neck, Bela-Bela quickened past longtime leader Negroamaro who battled gamely to hold her advantage but she was swallowed by Nightingale and Heaps Of Fun who were both running on strongly.

Balance Sheet looks on track for the eLan Gold Cup with a game win in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, getting home ahead of Helderberg Blue, No Worries and Crime Victim. Pressed on whether Balance Sheet would take his chances in the July, Dean Kannemeyer was hesitant. “Possibly, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

“The Gold Cup was the first time he went passed 2 400m last season and he ran second. I took him back to Cape Town but I wasn’t happy with the way he was moving and threw him out.”

“The owners were patient. Marsh (Shirtliff) and Bryn (Resssell), they ran first and second today and deserve all they get.”

It was another masterful ride from Delpech who got over from a wide draw to find the perfect place on the rail. “I can’t even tell how I got there. Sometimes things just work out for you.” He moved Balance Sheet smartly up the inside rail in the chase for home and rode the finish without the whip. “I rode with the hands. He wanted to hang out and I didn’t want to cause interference.”

But it was the early shift that possibly won him the race as he shifted onto a tiring pacemaker who in turn rolled onto Helderberg Blue who got unbalanced for a couple of strides.

No Worries appears to have taken a new lease on life since being put over ground and was fighting hard at the finish while Crime Victim found traffic and may well have finished closer.

Andrew Harrison

 

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada to rule

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The two Gr 1 events at Greyville tomorrow, the Daily News 2000 and the Woolavington 2000, will be significant Vodacom Durban July pointers as usual, while the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup will provide some clues for the eLan Gold Cup.

Rabada looks the horse to beat in an open looking Daily News, having stayed on from a handy position for a close second in the Canon Guineas, despite having to be used up early to overcome a wide draw and then lying handy in a fast paced race. His staying on sixth in the Politician Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth when carrying a welter burden provided further evidence he would stay this trip.

It’s My Turn’s Investec Cape Derby victory has worked out exceptionally well and he would have benefitted from his Canon Guineas run in which he was outpaced early and then ran wide.

Samurai Blade has a tough draw but relaxes well in the running and looks a type who will continue to improve. He could get up late for a top three finish after producing a sustained finish from the back.

New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)

New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)

New Predator would likely be the first choice if there were no stamina doubts. He was sent for home at the top of the long straight of Turffontein in the Gr 1 weight for age HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and was only just run out of the second spot, so he should get the 2000m here on an easier course and if ridden more conservatively.

Rocketball is drawn in pole and has to go into the equation after new hold up tactics did the trick in the SA Derby, where he stayed on strongly from the back and only just failed to spoil Abashiri’s SA Triple Crown party.

Celtic Captain is on the up having recently been gelded and being out of a mare who won over 2400m looks likely to relish the trip. He looked up at the TV when quickening well to hit the front in the Canon Guineas and a repeat is unlikely, so he is the dark horse from a good draw.

Brooklyn Brawler showed a fine turn of foot when winning easily last time over 1600m at Greyville and being by Dynasty should stay the trip. Prospect Strike ran a fine race in the Canon Guineas considering he used up so much energy out wide in the first half of the race.

Liege is an improving sort who should love the trip. Mambo Mime stayed on well for third in the Canon Guineas, but the question will be whether he will stay the trip, especially from a wide draw of 13.

Ten Gun Salute was doing good work late for fourth in the Canon Guineas and is a half-brother to a Gr 3 winner in Australia over 2500m, so should do well from a fair draw having enjoyed a good preparation.

Bankable Teddy could surprise if reproducing his easy Listed Derby Trial win over this trip. Trading Profit could earn if reproducing his 1800m run on Guineas day at Turffontein.  Redcarpet Captain looks to have a stamina doubt, while Stebbins likely prefers further. Sylvester The Cat is talented but enigmatic and has a stamina doubt.

Rabada is selected to beat It’s My Turn with Samurai Blade, New Predator and Rocketball next best.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Woolavington looks to be a boat race between Nightingale and Bela-Bela at first sight, but there are some up and coming sorts who could spoil the party. Nightingale is the selection as one who looks to be wanting this trip.

The classy Bela-Bela might be better over a touch shorter. Witchcraft should be staying all the way to the line and her last run in the SA Oaks when caught wide throughout can be ignored.

Negroamaro stayed on for third from a handy position in the Daisy Fillies Guineas and her second place in the SA Fillies Classic suggests she should get this trip. She could cause an upset from a plum draw. Flying Ice stayed on for fourth in the Daisy Fillies Guineas and should enjoy the 2000m.

Gauteng Fillies Guineas-winner Heaps Of Fun’s SA Classic run can be ignored as she pulled up with strained muscles, but there must still be a slight stamina doubt. Fortissima stayed on very well for second in the SA Oaks and Anton Marcus is a significant booking.

Adorada ran a cracker behind Gallica Rose and Deputy Ryder in the Scarlet Lady over 1750m, running on after being dropped out from a similarly wide draw.

Nightingale is tipped to beat Bela-Bela with Witchcraft, Negoroamaro and Fortissima next best.

Solar Star looks one of the best bets of the meeting in the Lonsdale, despite Anthony Delpech jumping ship to Balance Sheet. Solar Star has caught the eye this season in KZN and nearly won the Highland Night Cup last time over this trip despite over racing. The blinkers are now off and Stuart Randolph is up from a fair draw of eight.

David Thiselton

Summerveld (Supplied)

All systems go for Snaith and Bass

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The two chief protagonists in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville this Saturday, the Justin Snaith-trained Bela-Bela and the Mike Bass-trained Nightingale, are doing well ahead of the big race and so are Snaith’s two Gr 1 Daily News 2000 runners, It’s My Turn and Brooklyn Brawler.

Meanwhile, Snaith said the ruling Vodacom Durban July favourite Black Arthur, who is avoiding the Daily News and going straight into the big one, will have a gallop at Greyville before the first race on Saturday pending permission from the course manager.

Snaith said about his three Gr 1 runners for the Daily News meeting, “I couldn’t be happier with them, there have been no hiccups. It is now just down to luck in running.”

Snaith had been confident before Dynasty filly Bela-Bela’s Gr 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas victory three weeks ago, pointing out nothing had gone right for her when soundly beaten by Silver Mountain in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, and she had subsequently proven her class by running third in the “strongest form race of the Cape season”, the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes. She had also been putting in phenomenal work at Summerveld.

Summerveld (Supplied)

Summerveld (Supplied)

Bass assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe said, “Nightingale is fit and well and the jockey is confident.”

Jockey Grant van Niekerk seemed quietly confident, but was fully aware of the toughness of the task.

Nightingale lost a bit of momentum in the straight of the Daisy Fillies Guineas when having to be switched outward off the heels of a slowing horse. Bela-Bela did not have a clear passage herself, but her momentum was unaffected and she passed Nightingale with a wet sail. However, the latter was coming back at her at the line to be beaten only 0,5 lengths.

After the race jockey Anthony Delpech had his doubts about the 2200m July trip for Bela-Bela, but added she would “get away with” 2000m against her own gender in the Woolavington.

Nightingale has already proven her liking for 2000m when finishing strongly to beat older horses in a MR68 handicap for fillies and mares at Kenilworth on L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate day in January. She did not have a perfect preparation into the Daisy Fillies Guineas, due to her intended preparation race on the Greyville turf having to be switched to the polytrack, although she did still win the latter race. She will now be having her third run after a layoff.

Bela-Bela is having her second run after a layoff, but judging by her Daisy Fillies Guineas win that shouldn’t pose a problem and, like Nightingale, she should also be more forward this time.

Dynasty gelding It’s My Turn looked a bit outpaced early in the Canon Guineas and was then kept wide to avoid the kickback, so did quite well to stay on for a 4,65 length tenth.

“He’s not a miler,” confirmed Snaith.

The form of his Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby victory, which is run over the Daily News 2000m distance, is looking strong, considering he had both the July favourite and second favourite, Black Arthur and Marinaresco respectively, comfortably beaten. Delpech will be aboard on Saturday from a tricky draw of eleven and he is the horse to beat.

Brooklyn Brawler won well over 1600m at Greyville recently and has apprentice Lyle Hewitson up. On his damside he is closely related to the like of Capetown Noir, who always had a slight stamina doubt beyond a mile despite winning the Cape Derby. However, his July-winning sire Dynasty gives him hope. Snaith added, “Dynasty at Greyville is the key, just look at the record of both himself and his progeny there.”

The Bass yard also run Helderberg Blue in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. He will be 1kg worse off with No Worries despite being beaten 1,5 lengths by him last time out over this trip at Scottsville. This will now be his third run after a layoff. He remains a quirky sort whose temperament is his own worst enemy, but as such could not have found himself in a better yard. The outstanding horsemanship of the Bass team have allowed the Jet Master gelding to still be competitive everytime he lines up and he is now down to a competitive merit rating.

By David Thiselton

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Azzie believes in Rabada

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Triple Crown-winning trainer Mike Azzie believes Rabada is the horse to beat in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville on Saturday.

He said, “All things have been going well, I am very happy with him and have no reason to believe he won’t stay.”

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Jockey Anton Marcus was impressed by the Gr 1-winning Brave Tin Soldier colt’s last run in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas at Greyville, because after being taken to the front from a wide draw in a fast-paced race he was able to stay on and be beaten just a half-a-length, while the two in front of him faded out to the back.

Furthermore, Rabada stayed on well in the Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth on L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate day to finish a 2,25 length sixth with 62kg on his back. He was conceding 5kg to the winner Black Arthur and 6,5kg to third-placed Marinaresco, who are now respectively the top pair on the Vodacom Durban July betting boards.

Azzie added, “He was given a sympathetic ride in the Politician Stakes too, due to the weight and also his main mission was the Cape Derby.”

Rabada was unable to take his place in the Derby due to injury but proved his well-being when winning his comeback run over 1400m at Turffontein three weeks before his fine Canon Guineas effort. He is the joint 33/10 favourite for Saturday with Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner New Predator.

Azzie also runs the Toreador gelding Trading Profit, who is drawn well in three.

He was bought out of the Ormond Ferraris yard after downing the like of Judicial and French Navy when way out at the weights in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m at Turffontein in February. However, he has run below par in two outing for his new yard in the SA Classic and Premier’s Champions Challenge respectively, and was headstrong in the latter race.

He is a good looking sort and has talent, but Azzie said, “He took a while to adjust and an improved run can be expected, but Rabada is superior to him.”

By David Thiselton