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Category Archives: Million Mile
Another Million? No Worries
Gareth Van Zyl pulled off a fine training feat at Greyville yesterday when No Worries recaptured the KZN Breeders Million Mile race he had won as a four-year-old two years ago at Clairwood.
The Summerhill-bred Kahal gelding was coming off three runs between 1950m and 2400m which had yielded a win and two thirds.
Van Zyl somehow managed to freshen the six-year-old up and he ran on strongly from midfield under regular rider Warren Kennedy, despite the race having been run at a crawl,
He overtook favourite Rabada close home before drawing clear to win by 1,5 lengths.
No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)
Twice Gr 1-winning three-year-old Rabada, who is in the field for next weekend’s Vodacom Durban July, carried 59,5kg, but on official merit ratings No Worries, who carried 58kg, was only 0,5kg better off with him. Furthermore, No Worries was officially 2kg under sufferance with third-placed Malak El Moolook, whom he beat by 2,25 lengths.
This confirmed No Worries’ recent good form was not only due to his stamina capacity and he is clearly enjoying a new lease of life.
July watchers might view the race as a further blow to the chances of the three-year-olds, who already have a tough task at the weights.
Van Zyl said the enormous amount of work put in by jockey Kennedy and his assistant trainer Jessica Von Niebel had turned No Worries around.
Kennedy described the chestnut as “the darling of the stable” and owner Brian Burnard called him “a soldier.”
Every one of the other eight races carried a R200,000 stake. Nine-times South African champion breeders Summerhill Stud enjoyed a day to remember.
Sean Tarry scored a treble with the JJ Snyman-owned-and-bred Strategic News filly Strategic Move (S’Manga Khumalo), the Summerhill-bred Admire Main gelding Hyaku (JP van der Merwe); and the Summerhill-bred Kahal filly Witchcraft (Khumalo).
Doug Campbell scored a double. The Mogok gelding Kingston Boy (Anthony Delpech), which he bred and part-owns, repeated his win of last year and his Summerhill-bred Visionaire filly Lala (Anton Marcus) was a deserved winner.
Other winners were St. John Gary with his home-bred Announce filly Last Chirp (Marcus), Tony Rivalland with Summerhill-bred gelding Count Von Count (Lyle Hewitson) and Alyson Wright with Yellow Star Stud-bred Daylami gelding Penhaligon (Delpech).
By David Thiselton
Brugman on Rabada
Derek Brugman has given his side of the Rabada saga after trainer Mike Azzie was forthright in saying he did not want to run the Vodacom Durban July contestant in this Sunday’s KZN Breeders Million Mile.
Azzie believes the three-year-old has a big chance in the July due to a preparation which has gone perfectly, on top of the horse’s obvious ability as a twice Gr 1 winner. He is also convinced Rabada will stay the trip.
He pointed out little had gone right for Rabada in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and yet he had still won the race.
Azzie’s bullishness will be dampened by running Rabada in the Million Mile, as he believes this will upset the horse’s July preparation and affect his chances of winning the big race.
However, Brugman, racing manager to champion owner Markus Jooste, said Rabada’s chief mission, from at least two months ago, had been the Million Mile. The July was always just going to be a bonus.
Rabada (Left) It’s My Turn (right)-Nkosi Hlophe
Brugman often applies the adage “keep yourself in the best company and your horses in the worst” and said this was a case in point.
He said Azzie, due to the excellent preparation Rabada had been enjoying, recently requested a diversion from the original plan and asked whether the Million Mile could be skipped. However, Brugman had simply made a decision to stick to the original plan.
He is not regarding the Million Mile as a foregone conclusion and recognises the tough task on paper Rabada has with the like of Malak El Moolook and Intergalactic, due to the structure of the weights.
However, as it is a limited race with a first prize of R625,000, he and the owners believe it an opportunity too good to miss, especially when considering Rabada still has his entire four-year-old career ahead of him.
Brugman said Rabada would be monitored after the Million Mile and a decision would then be made whether to run him in the July or not.
However, he added no rash decisions would be made and they would not run the horse in the July just for the sake of it.
Punters who backed Rabada after the final field announcement will get their money back if he is scratched.
Meanwhile, first reserve runner Trophy Wife did her compulsory July gallop at Randjesfontein earlier this week, but it was unfortunately not recorded and this was apparently due to a hitch with the camera.
David Thiselton
Chasing the Million Mile
The Alec Laird-trained Bezanova is the defending champion in the KZN Breeders Million Mile, which is to be run at Greyville on Sunday, and will have a big chance if at his best.
However, the Alec Laird yard are more hopeful than bullish.
Bezanova (Nkosi Hlophe)
The Million Mile has always been an intriguing race due to the weight conditions, which go on number of wins plus Graded penalties.
Bezanova is treated the same as last year, because 2kg must be added for his win of last year’s event, but on the other hand his Gr 2 penalty falls away as his Charity Mile victory happened more than 18 months ago. However, the weights had to be dragged up to 60kg last year, and he carried 59kg, whereas this year he is only carrying 58kg. He was reported not striding out when running way below par in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge two weekends ago, a race he had finished a 0,9 length third in last year.
Laird said, “It is hard to explain the run, he took hold of the bit, then had to be eased and from then on took no interest. He has not been at his best, but he looks good, everything is fine and he has been working well, so we will see. But it will be hard to beat Rabada.”
A big plus for Bezanova is Weichong Marwing up and he also has a plum draw of two.
Rabada is the highest rated horse in the field, the distance is ideal and he has a fair draw of five with Anton Marcus up.
Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)
However, he is not the best weighted horse and is in fact officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the Sean Tarry-trained filly Intergalactic and 2,5kg under sufferance with the Tarry-trained Malak El Moolook.
On the other hand Rabada could be better than his 106 merit rating suggests, especially when considering his last two runs. Things did not go ideally for him when pipped in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas by the ruling Vodacom Durban July favourite Black Arthur, while Anton Marcus dropped the whip just after turning for home in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and Rabada still managed to win.
Intergalactic has seemed to get going too late in her last three runs which have been from 1600m to 2000m. However, this will be her third run at Greyville and she is drawn in pole, so has a chance with her weight advantage, although it has to be said J&B Met winning jockey JP van der Merwe is not in the mint of form at present.
The Tarry stable elect is not necessarily Malak El Moolook, who has stable first choice jockey S’Manga Khumalo up, because Khumalo would not be able to make the 50kg weight of Intergalactic. Malak El Moolook is distance suited, having run his best races in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas and Gr 2 Canon Guineas, while his three runs over 1800m have all been disappointing. He was doing his best work late in the Canon Guineas when just 2,05 lengths behind Black Arthur and is now better drawn. He is 7kg better off with Rabada for a 1,55 length beating in the Canon Guineas, so could be the one to beat.
Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)
No Worries is the best weighted older horse and won this race two years ago. He is officially 3kg under sufferance with Intergalactic. However, he has lost some of his speed and appears to be better over further these days.
Way Of Light is the topweight and is 6,5kg under sufferance with Intergalactic. However, he is a talented sort with a fine turn of foot and, if he can be settled quicker than he was last time out in the Cup Trial, his finishing effort could make him a threat.
Just Like Magic beat July runner Ten Gun Salute over this trip at Scottsville in a maiden last October, but is 10,5kg under sufferance with Intergalactic.
Roy’s Winter Patch and Son Of Silver have some talent but are officially the worst and second worst weighted runners in the field.
Humidor has a lot of speed, so there is a stamina doubt, and he is officially 10,5kg under sufferance with Intergalactic.
The second best weighted runners have won the last two renewals of this race and the trend could continue as Malak El Moolook looks the one to side with and he could be followed home by Rabada, with Intergalactic, Way Of Light and Bezanova next best.
By David Thiselton
Rabada tops Million Mile lineup
The winner of the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000, Rabada, that was also just touched off by hot Vodacom Durban July fancy Black Arthur in the Canon Guineas, is among the 10 runners that will compete in the R1-million KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Million Mile at Greyville Racecourse on Sunday.
The Mike Azzie-trained Brave Tin Soldier colt, that is also among the entries for the country’s premier event on July 2, takes on some top horses in this annual event sponsored by the KZN Breeders Club and on his form is likely to start favourite for the 1 600m clash.
Topping the weights is the Garth Puller-trained Mogok gelding Way Of Light, winner of the Sledgehammer at Scottsville while Rabada will give 1.5kg to the well-performed and gutsy six-year-old gelding from the Gavin van Zyl stable No Worries.
The son of Kahal is better suited to a longer trip having won the Highland Night Cup over 2 400m and taken third place behind Balance Sheet last time out in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over the same distance. However, he is a strong galloper and will not be without a chance on Sunday.
Also taking his place is the four-year-old Western Winter gelding Roy’s Winter Patch from the Dennis Drier stable that has won his last two starts and the three-year-old Sean Tarry-trained King’s Chapel colt Malak El Moolook that is better than his recent form might suggest.
Tarry also runs the three-year-old Kahal filly Intergalactic that was only beaten 1.4 lengths by top Cape filly Inara at Turffontein.
All the races at the meeting on Sunday are confined to horses registered as being KZN-Bred and the eight other events on the card over distances from 1 200m to 1 900m will each carry a stake of R200 000.
KZN Breeders stars shone brightly.
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.
No Worries to repeat
The KZN Breeders meeting at Greyville on Sunday provides smaller owners with the chance of winning big prize money as it features the R1 million KZN Breeders Million Mile on turf and also eight other limited polytrack races which each carry a total stake of R200,000.
No Worries could defend his crown in the Million Mile. He is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and from a good draw of six could take advantage of his ability to kick well from a handy position. He has a hard task reversing form with Bezanova on their Gold Challenge meeting over course and distance, but is capable of a lot better and could bounce back to his best as he did in this race last year.
Bezanova has quite a tough draw but has never run a bad race at Greyville and has the advantage of Anton Marcus aboard.
Wild One ran a cracker in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m last time and is another who loves this course, although this is his second run after a layoff and it’s a touch on the sharp side. Solar Star has improved in KZN and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be a factor.
Run Rhino Run was given little chance last time after being sent to the front in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, but preferable hold up tactics should see him running on strongly. Front Rank showed some improvement in his third run after gelding last time and could surprise from a good draw over a suitable trip.
No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the first over 1200m Harvest Queen appeared to over race in a feature over 1400m last time, so will appreciate stepping back to the course and distance of her impressive debut win.
In the second over the same course and distance the topweight Malak El Moolook is an improving sort who looks likely to be effective over this step down in trip and he could pack too much class here from a good draw. Chosen Dash was outpaced in a feature over 1000m last time but stayed on strongly late so will appreciate this step up in trip. Anthony Delpech is an eyecatching booking on the first-timer Dandy Man.
The talented African Dream defends her crown in the next over 1200m and has run well fresh before so is the one to beat from a good draw. The courageous Virgo’s Babe is the best in at the weights and can never be ignored, even from a wide draw like this, and Pej and Winter Star are both talented sorts with winning chances. Miss Argentina is the lurker as she has not yet had many opportunities to fulfil the early potential she showed.
In the fourth over 1200m Approval Rating ran on too late last time over 1100m at Turffontein and could make amends from a good draw under Anton Marcus. Kingston Boy has a fine turn of foot and always runs well from good draws like this, while the best weighted horse Showmetheway was caught wide in the Post Merchants and has a chance from a good draw. Flyfirstclass and Al Ciberano could be involved too.
Enchanted Silk should pack too much class in the fifth over 1900m, although Mamasita put in a decent effort in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and could be a threat.
Baracah enjoyed the step down from staying trips last time and could win the sixth over 1900m.
The talented It Is Written could carry topweight to victory in the eighth over 1600m and could be chased home by Translunar, who has improved with blinkers.
Euphoria is another one who could be too good despite topweight in the last over a suitable 1600m with Marcus up.
By David Thiselton
Media Release: KZN Breeders Million Mile
Trainer Gavin van Zyl will be out to win the KZN Breeders Million Mile for the second consecutive year when he saddles the five-year-old Kahal gelding No Worries for the race at Greyville in Durban on Sunday.
The gutsy campaigner out of the Rambo Dancer mare Coastal Watch that was bred at Summerhill Stud, was second to the Alec Laird-trained Bezrin gelding Bezanova over the Turffontein mile in the November Handicap and the two will meet again in a battle for the R625 000 winner’s cheque at Greyville.
No Worries subsequently ran a gutsy third behind Wylie Hall in the President’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein but disappointed in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge in his last outing where Bezanova, bred at Clifton Stud, ran a fantastic third by less than a length to the Cape champion and last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner, Legislate.
They have a few useful opponents to deal with in their bids for victory including another product of Summerhill Stud Solar Star from the Dean Kannemeyer stable. The four-year-old Kahal gelding Solar Star has had three races since relocating from the Cape for Champions Season winning the first two.
In his second outing he beat Vodacom Durban July candidate Dynamic by half a length in the Sledgehammer at Scottsville but ran below expectations in the Betting World 1900.
Also among the 12-horse field is the top stayer from the Mike de Kock stable Wild One, the five-year-old son of Mogok bred at the Scott Bros Highdown Stud. He won the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last year and followed it up with a third and a second in the Gold Vase and the eLan Property Group Gold Cup.
He was off the track until earlier this month when he ran a great second to Punta Arenas in the Cup Trial over 1 800m.
Making a second bid for honours in the KZN Breeders Mile is the Sean Tarry-trained Silvano gelding Silva Hawk. Bred at Summerhill, he finished just short of six lengths fourth behind No Worries in the race last year and will be trying for a much better result on Sunday.
ends
24 Entries for the KZN Breeders Million Mile
The KZN Breeders Million Mile meeting at Greyville in Durban on June 28 has been strongly supported with the R1-million race itself drawn 24 entries including some top horses like the Alec Laird-trained Bezrin gelding Bezanova that ran a tremendous third behind Legislate in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge last weekend.
Bred at Clifton Stud, he was less than a length behind the champion but if standing his ground on June 28 will have to make his bid for victory from a wide draw.
The highest-rated runner among the entries is the Gavin van Zyl-trained Kahal gelding No Worries. He was bred at Summerhill Stud and has drawn 12 in the preliminary draws and will receive 2kg from the highest-weighted entry, Flyfirstclass from the Craig Eudey stable that is rated 101 with a draw of seven. He is also a product of Summerhill Stud.
The Charles Laird-trained filly Admiral’s Eye, third behind Same Jurisdiction in the Flamboyant Stakes, was bred by Mr P A M Magid and Summerhill Stud and will have to carry 57.5kg from a wide draw while the Mike de Kock stable inmate Wild One, second in the recent Cup Trial in his first race since running second in last year’s eLan Group Gold Cup, is set to carry 55kg from a wide draw. He was bred at the Scott Bros Highdown Stud.
Supplementary entries will be accepted by 11am on Friday, June 19 with declarations by 11 am on Monday, June 22.
No Worries eyes another Million
The Gavin van Zyl-trained five-year-old Kahal gelding No Worries was scratched from the Vodacom Durban July on Tuesday after a below par run in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, but could still be on track to defend his KZN Breeders Million Mile crown at Greyville on June 28.
However, Van Zyl will still have a strong line up for July day, which includes Redcarpet Captain in the Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe, Banbury in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes, Heart Of A Lion in the Gr 2 Gold Vase, MLJet in the Listed Thukela Handicap and possibly Vino Veritas in the Gr 3 Campanajo.
Van Zyl said, “No Worries’ blood reading has indicated he is incubating a low grade virus and we didn’t feel his last run warranted him taking his chances in the July. However, if he recovers in time we will run him in the KZN Breeders Million Mile and depending on how he does there he will take his chances in the Gr 1 Champions Cup (Greyville July 25 over 2000m).”
No Worries went into last year’s Million Mile very well weighted carrying 54kg, as he was only a two-time winner at that stage, and he duly won by a comfortable 3,25 lengths. However, this year he will have a much harder task as he is now a four-time winner and will also accrue a 2kg penalty for a Gr 2 win in the last 18 months, having won the Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m last October.
Redcarpet Captain ran a fine second to the top class sort Seventh Plain in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m on May 23. The classy Captain Al colt showed the ability to both relax in the running and accelerate smartly in his victorious debut over 1000m at Turffontein and followed up by winning the Gr 3 Englezakis Protea Stakes over 1100m at the same course. His well-being was below par when fourth in the Gr 1 SA Nursery and that report was substantiated by his excellent Medallion run. Van Zyl believes Redcarpet Captain will love the step up to 1400m. He will have to make up 2,75 lengths on Seventh Plain, which will be no easy task considering the latter didn’t look to be stopping at the end of the Medallion, and there are also other horses like Rabada that have put up their hands since then. However, he should make a bold bid.
The four-year-old Seul Amour gelding Heart Of A Lion has run one of the most eyecatching Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup trials to date. He weaved his way through from the back of the field to finish a 1,75 length third in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. He was only merit rated 95 for that race but was giving 1kg to the winner Solid Speed, who is being touted as a top Gold Cup candidate. The handicapper has kept him on 95, meaning he will need to run a big race in the Gold Vase to book his Gold Cup place. Van Zyl said he had come out of that last race well.
The yard have identified and sorted out a problem with Banbury so believe she will be a lot better in the Garden Province than she was in the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m last time out, when finishing 7,5 lengths behind Hammie’s Hooker. Van Zyl has no illusions about the strength of the field she will face in the Garden Province, but believed that at her best she would be up to it.
Van Zyl was very pleased with MLJet’s first outing for the yard in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and said, “It was a pleasing race with first time blinkers. He didn’t quite stay the trip and 1600m will be much more down his alley so the Thukela will be the perfect race for him. The Daily News would have brought him spot on for that race.”
Vino Veritas is an ever improving four-year-old filly by Silvano, who has won five times including three of her last five starts. The yard will see how she goes in the Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m on June 21 before possibly running her in the Campanajo over 2200m. Two of her wins have been over the tough Turffontein 2200m and on pedigree she should enjoy the Oaks trip.
By David Thiselton
Picture: No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)
