Brett Crawford has never won the Sophomore Sprint but he would appear to have a big chance of filling this gap in his CV at Kenilworth on Saturday as he has the two highest-rated runners in the 1 200m Listed race.

Stable jockey Corne Orffer sticks with Finding Camelot (a son of triple classic winner Camelot) on whom he finished a close third in the Langeman while Donovan Dillon gets the call for King Of Gems who was a length away fourth in that 1 500m Grade 3.

As expected, Dean Kannemeyer has decided against running the Umkhomazi winner African Warrior and Keagan De Melo, who rode the gelding to victory in that Grade 2, instead partners the third-highest-rated Constable for Candice Bass-Robinson who will also be represented by Three Two Charlie (Greg Cheyne). The last-named had a pipe-opener under Warren Kennedy at Durbanville a week ago.

Justin Snaith, bidding for Sophomore number five, relies on Captain Tatters (Richard Fourie) who has not raced since beating all except the Hong Kong-bound Armando in the Somerset 1200 four months ago.

The race has attracted a double figure field for only the fifth time in the last 17 years. Attempts to boost its attraction by switching it to January didn’t work – there were just six runners in 2017. Running it at Durbanville last year didn’t have the desired effect either as Pleasedtomeetyou beat only five home.

Vaughan Marshall, bidding for his third win in the race this century, will be represented by the Somerset third Ground Control (M.J. Byleveld) who is also out for his third Sophomore victory. But there will be even more interest in stable companion Silver Operator who takes on older horses in the Perpetua House Handicap. This Silvano colt was immensely impressive on debut and was only beaten a short head in the Langerman.

By Michael Clower

Aldo Domeyer is joint leader of the Hong Kong Championship after grabbing a double on the opening day of the season on Sunday at Sha Tin and although his winning rides were 95% superb, the one mistake he made landed him in hot water and he copped an 11 day ban.

Meanwhile, Douglas Whyte took just two races to get off the mark as a trainer.

Domeyer said at this time last year, “They say you need 10,000 hours before you start understanding your craft. I have been listening to my father (Andrew Fortune) for a long time and had been kind of getting it but also kind of not and last season everything just clicked. I think a lot of it is just trusting your instincts and listening to yourself. The last thing you want to be doing is questioning yourself. So now I am no longer thinking of the big names I’m riding against, I’m just riding against myself. It is all coming together and I know what I am doing.”

This showed yesterday in the first of his wins when bouncing his mount, California Gungho, out from a draw of eleven in the 1200m event and outpacing those on his inside before settling him one wide and one back. The rider of Bingo helped him by coming across to provide cover. He drove California Gungho into the lead and only drew the stick about 100m from home by which stage he had the race in safekeeping. The horse started at odds of 8,5/1.

In the next race over 1400m Domeyer was on the weak 5,6/1 favourite Sunshine Warrior and once again had him beautifully positioned, this time in about sixth place with cover and with enough room to stride out. Realising the pace had not been hot he peeled his mount out rounding the turn and charged for the line. Domeyer was driving his mount with a right hand whip and making some progress, but it was not fast enough, and he then pulled off a whip-hand change of incredible deftness. The horse duly changed legs and found another gear and powered to a three-quarters of a length win. Domeyer did make one mistake though. In putting his head down and driving for the line, he forgot to look where he was going and did not realise his mount was hanging in until it was too late. His mount interfered with the second and third-placed horses. It didn’t affect the result but he was charged with careless riding and will miss four meetings.

Both of Domeyer’s wins were for top trainer Tony Cruz, who about two decades ago put Felix Coetzee on the map in Hong Kong through some good horses including the legendary Silent Witness. 

Douglas Whyte, started off his training career with a fourth place finish in the first race and won the second with 6,7/1 chance Adonis, who was ridden by young Australian jockey Regan Bayliss.

South African champion jockey Lyle Hewitson had five rides and his best finishes were 3rd on a 25/1 shot and 4th on a 12/1 chance. 

By David Thiselton

Kahal was one of the best recent sires in KZN and, a week after his son Wynkelder was named KZN Champion Sprinter, Prince Of Kahal shared first prize in the first Graded race of the season, the Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m on Turffontein Inside, with Angel’s Power, who survived an objection.

The Mike Azzie-trained gelding Angel’s Power, at the age of seven, thus landed a race he had finished second in twice, in 2016 and 2017 respectively, and fourth in last year.  

Five-year-old gelding Prince Of Kahal, trained by Roy Magner and ridden by Dennis Schwarz, loves the Turffontein Inside track and has now won four out of five starts there.

His early pace and ability to kick on suits the tight course perfectly.

He had a good draw of six and duly found the box seat behind the pacemaker Russian Prince.

He kicked for home coming off the elbow and hit the front at the 350m mark.

Angel’s Power, who is also by a KZN-based stallion, Miesque’s Approval, sat behind Prince Of Kahal in the running but was then outpaced in the first part of the straight.

However, he got going at the 350m mark and a furlong later, under a strong ride by S’Manga Khumalo, had made up the two length deficit.

Angel’s Power put his head in front but then in a stirring duel Prince Of Kahal fought back to share.

Angel’s Power gave Prince of Kahal a slight bump late in the race and Schwarz objected but the result stood.

It was a first stakes success for both Prince Of Kahal and Angel’s Power.

The latter became the fifth stakes winner for Miesque’s Approval.

Both Prince Of Kahal and Wynkelder are from the last crop of Kahal, who has now produced 42 stakes winners, including six Grade 1 winners.

It is interesting to note that both Prince Of Kahal and Wynkelder hail from mares who were out of Foveros mares.

Kahal, who passed away in 2014, was by Machiavellian, who also produced the mighty Street Cry, sire of the 2017/2018 Equus Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna.

Both Kahal and Street Cry’s female sire lines trace directly back to Polymelus, Kahal through the common line of Danzig and Nothern Dancer and Street Cry through the more unusual line of Fairway. 

Polymelus was owned by Solly Joel of Kimberly diamond mining fame and this stallion had a significant impact on South African breeding through the like of his imported son Polystome, who was the ten times SA champion sire.

So the strength of Northern Dancer line sires like Kahal were always going to have plenty of blood to bolster them out here.

By David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside nine race meeting tomorrow is headed by two MR84 handicaps. 

In the first of them, for fillies and mares over 1000m, Nawaasi had become a disappointing sort but has found a new lease of life lately, winning her last two starts by three lengths over this minimum trip. If she did have an issue it must have be sorted out. She could be running off a capped merit rating here as she won going away with ease last time and could only be given a maximum eight point raise. Ocean City has a shout as she was beaten five lengths by Nawaasi in her penultimate start and is now 8kg better off. She went too fast in front that day and if more is held in reserve this time, as it was when second in her last start, she should do better and will be a threat. Elbi is a consistent sort who is 6kg better off with Nawaasi for a six length beating, which makes it tough for her on paper, but she burst through the stalls that day and that is known to affect a horse’s chances, especially a sprinter who needs every drop of reserve fuel for the final stages. 

In the second of the MR 84 races, for fillies and mares over 1600m, Virginia makes plenty of appeal. She took the bull by the horns last time and set a blistering gallop from a wide draw. She never let up and crossed the line two lengths clear. She has always looked to have some class and allowing her to stride out in front looks the way to go. She will not have the 2,5kg claim of apprentice Juglall to help her this time and she is also an effective eight points higher in the merit ratings. However, she has a plum draw of two and S’Manga Khumalo is aboard so she can afford to take it a little easier in front this time. Destiny’s Game is progressive and looks likely to enjoy the step down in trip. She won her maiden easily over this trip and later won over 1800m but she was run out of it over 2000m last time, so this trip might be what she is looking for. Only To Win had become disappointing but she bounced back last time when held up off the pace over the trip. That might be the key to her so she must be included.

The meetings starts with a maiden over 1160m and Succession could be the one to side with. He made a fair debut over 1200m and was thought highly enough of to take his place in the SA Nursery. He was well beaten there but should have benefited from the layoff since then and does not face an inspiring field here. Bold Ransom can improve from his fair debut when showing good pace and then finding no extra. He should have come on from the run and will have benefited from the experience too. House Master beat Bold Ransom by a quarter of a length when staying on well and should be in the shake up. 

The second race over 1160m, the first leg of the Bipot, should be fought out by Black Ferrari and Winterwind. The former made a good debut over 1000m in June from the widest draw of all on the Turffontein Inside track, failing by just 1,25 lengths after finding some support. He now has a favourable high draw down this straight course. Winterwind made a pleasing debut in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m on Sun Met day and wasn’t at all disgraced, finishing 6,70 lengths back. However, she hasn’t been seen out since.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Matloob made a belated debut over this trip and was not disgraced finishing a two length fourth at odds of 10-1. He is by Silvano so should be improving all the time and has a fair draw here. Jungle Book finished a good 1,75 length second last time out over 1200m considering he was coming back from a seven month layoff and lost a length at the start. He should have benefited from the run and has a fair draw. Marmara Sea found a lot of support last time over this trip and had excuses when finishing a three length fourth. He should make his presence felt although he has a tricky draw to overcome.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Prince Of Promise was caught wide last time in the running over 1600m but still managed to stay on quite well. He should be competitive from pole position over a step up in trip he can handle. What A Joker stayed on strongly over 1400m last time and if dropped out and finding cover from a tricky draw he is an interesting candidate over this step up in trip. See Me Run just failed with first time blinkers on over 1600m last time and has proven he stays this trip so is also an interesting runner from a reasonable draw of seven. Serendipity disappointed last time but could feature over a suitable step up in trip from a good draw. So Long Spring goes well for 1,5kg Kabelo Matsunyane and has to be a runner here despite being raised four points for his good run last time. In The Game is capable of popping up so has to be considered trying this trip for the first time.

In the third leg of the Pick 6 Queen Of War has plenty of pace and thus it is not surprising she has a good record over this fast course and distance. She is off a competitive merit rating and has the advantage of a good 2,5kg claimer aboard. She also has quite a high draw, which is usually favourable down this straight. She could fight it out with Moggie Brown who is another one with good pace and she is better than her last run.

In the eighth race over 1600m Shuckra is the choice. He has been facing much stronger fields and although never a threat in those races he has dropped to a competitive merit rating and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. He should start coming into his own this season. Lemon Drop Shot won his maiden easily over 1800m and the form was franked when the runner up Dry Your Eyes won his next two starts on the trot. He found 2000m too far last time and this 1600m trip from a good draw is likely to be ideal. Dry Your Eyes has a tough task with Lemon Drop Shot on their last meeting but is coming into his own and is drawn well.

The last race looks likely to be fought out by Mike De Kock’s pair Hawthorn and first-timer Deebaa. Hawthorn is by Flower Alley filly out of an unraced Tiger Ridge mare, who is out of Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Emerald Beauty, and she will relish the step up in trip.  Deebaa is a R550,000 Dynasty filly out of an unraced Peintre Celebre mare who has produced two winners including Deebaa’s full sister Tehuano who has won twice from 1700m to 2000m. Tobefair can also be included in the Pick 6 having made a fair debut. 

By David Thiselton

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, originally sidelined until August 28, has now been ruled out of action until the end of November with the sahorseracing.co.za website altering the period of his absence to August 8 – November 30.

Fayd’Herbe was unavailable for comment yesterday but his agent Ken Nicol said: “Originally Bernard was to rest for a month but when he went back to the doctors they said he needed a bit longer.”

Nicol had previously explained in a tabonline.co.za article that the original lay-off was a precaution because a routine medical check-up had revealed signs of concussion, not due to any single fall but more a cumulative effect. He confirmed yesterday that this is still the case.

Fayd’Herbe – three Mets and two Vodacom Derby Julys to his credit –is one of the most sought-after jockeys in the country and his continued absence will present problems for several of the leading Cape Town trainers who are already having to fly in riders from other centres to take the place of the now Hong Kong-based Aldo Domeyer and Grant van Niekerk.

Warren Kennedy, who last week rode at Durbanville for the first time since shortly after completing his apprenticeship, is back for Kenilworth on Wednesday when he has four rides for Adam Marcus and one each for Geoff Woodruff, Mike Robinson and Paddy Kruyer.

Muzi Yeni rides for Eric Sands, Greg Ennion and Glen Puller while Keagan de Melo, now a regular visitor, gets the call from Ennion, Justin Snaith, Candice Bass-Robinson and Glen Kotzen.

But it is the Snaith/Richard Fourie combination that dominates the early betting with either the favourite or a joint favourite in seven of the eight races.

Some punters are already looking to Kenilworth’s Sophomore Sprint card on Saturday when the Snaith stable is bringing back potential bankers Queensbarns and Frank Lloyd Wright in the two 1 400m handicaps. Queensbarns won her maiden by over five lengths last month (Snaith: “She is a bit of a hot filly but she is nice”) and Frank Lloyd Wright has won his last two in the manner of a horse who should be followed until he gets beaten.  Fourie rides both.

By Michael Clower

The Hollywoodbets Greyville eight race polytrack meeting yesterday had a mixed bag of results with three upsets in the first three races balanced by quite favourable results thereafter, although it did appear clear as the meeting went on that the outside strip was the place to be down the straight. 

The first over 1600m saw Keiko, the Frank Robinson-trained Wynnholme Stud-bred three-year-old Mogok gelding, flying through on the outside for an eye catching 0,30 length win at odds of 25/1 under Luke Ferraris. He had also found a strong finish on debut over 1000m so was probably good value at those odds considering he was going to relish the step up in trip on pedigree with King Julian on second. The favourite Do Or Dare chose to go down the inside and was beaten 0,60 lengths into third.

In the second race over 1600m the action was on the outside again. The rangy Dennis Bosch-trained reserve runner Lady Secret led from start to finish under a fine ride by Eric Ngwane after being backed in to 11/1. This three-year-old filly is by Philanthropist and was bred by Klawervlei Stud. The favourite Arrabiata was doing good work late and was beaten 1,10 lengths into second. She will enjoy further and will win soon. 

In the third race, a MR 78 Handicap over 1600m, it was another horse running down the outside who won. The Doug Campbell-trained home-bred six-year-old Mogok gelding Plymouth Rock ran on steadily to just get the better of Nicklaus. The fancied What A Blast, who was seeking a hattrick, was stuck behind the winner on the outside rail for quite some time but was eating up the ground late and can continue to be followed.

In the fourth race, a Maiden over 2000m, Mark Khan had the Lezeanne Forbes-trained four-year-old Querari filly one wide with cover one off the lead and was able to switch to the favourable outside going at the top of the straight. The Maine Chance Farms-bred filly found extra when challenged by the perennial bridesmaid La Duchesse, who was favourite, and won by a comfortable 1,70 lengths.

In the fifth race over 1400m it was Luke Ferraris on Vartanium who had the one wide-one back position and had soon bounded clear in the straight. The four-year-old Sean Tarry-trained Backworth Stud-bred Var gelding won by 0,75 at odds of 113/20 from a fast closing Galway.

In the sixth race over 1400m Tony Rivalland’s four-year-old Oratorio filly Star Vega, bred by Dr IR Heyns, looked likely to relish the step up in trip after finishing strongly over 1200m last time and after Jarred Samuel managed to squeeze her through a narrow gap on the outside she flew home to beat the favourite Spam Alert by 1,30 lengths. 

The seventh was a MR 92 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Ancient Spirit found the one wide and one back position under Keagan de Melo and duly waltzed clear to win by 3,50 lengths. The Australian-bred five-year-old mare by Fastnet Rock converted 16/10 favouritism.

Frank Robinson scored a double, a MR 80 handicap over 1200m,  when the favourite Leslies Pathtofame found the outside rail and roared home to win by 0,75 lengths from the fancied Extravargant. The five-year-old Pathfork gelding was bred by Normandy Stud.

By David Thiselton

SUBJECT: Flamingo Park to close in December
DATE: Thursday 29 August 2019
RELEASED BY: Phumelela Gaming

Flamingo Park Racecourse will stage its last meeting on Monday 9 December.

“The decision is based purely on commercial factors,” explained Phumelela Racing Executive Patrick Davis on Thursday.

“A financial analysis conducted on Kimberley Racing in isolation from the other racecourses, indicated it was losing around R23.5 million a year. It has the lowest TAB turnover of any of local race meeting at around R3 million.

“It is also one of the least cost-effective meetings to stage as we have to bring in people like stipes, judges etc from other centres.

“The last race meeting will take place on Monday 9 December after which Flamingo Park will close as both a training facility and a racecourse.”

Davis and Racing Association CEO Larry Wainstein went to Kimberley to discuss the move with the Kimberley trainers and their staff, also assuring them they would not be left in the lurch.

“Phumelela will support the trainers and all their grooms to relocate to another venue. Over the next month or so we will be in discussions as to where they wish to move. The options are the Vaal, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town,” said Davis.

“The general consensus is that they will go in different directions.”

As a result of the closure, the 2020 fixture list has been rejuggled to accommodate 20 of those 36 meetings. The plan is they will be held at either the Vaal or Port Elizabeth and will be programmed with Kimberley-level stakes and race programmes.

“We will also include some kind of protection clause for former Kimberley-based trainers at those extra meetings,” said Davis.

ENDS

The highest rated race in the eight race meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the polytrack this Sunday is a MR 92 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Sunshine Mint looks ready to pounce off a reduced merit rating, although she does have a tricky draw of eight to overcome.

This Await The Dawn mare had some fair form in the strong centre of Cape Town over this trip and now has her third run in KZN and it is also her third run after a layoff. She clearly needed her last start over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as she moved up well and then found little extra. Her merit rating has been dropped six points in total from the time she arrived in KZN and she is a contender here if able to overcome that draw. Ancient Spirit ran on well from way off the pace over this course and distance in her penultimate start to finish a 1,55 length fourth and was reported coughing. She now has a tongue tie on and from a handier position could be right there. Torbenite should also be involved in the finish. Last time she beat Sunshine Mint by 3,75 lengths at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and is now only 2kg worse off and drawn well in two.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a MR 78 Handicap over 1600m and the progressive What A Blast goes for a hattrick. The wide draw should not bother him as he came from way off the pace last time with a telling run over this course and distance. He is off a three point higher mark and has a chance again. Antigonus will enjoy the step up to this trip and will also be running on. Peter Piper is nine-years-old but shows no sign of slowing down and can also be in the mix, although he is another with a tough draw. Podcast and Philos have good draws and are both one from one over course and distance so must also be included.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m Elusive Quest went close over course and distance last time and gets a good opportunity here from a plum draw. Tallulah Jet has shown signs of ability and from a good draw could make her presence felt over a likely suitable trip. Hard-knocking La Duchesse should make her presence felt over a suitable trip if able to overcome the high draw.

In the third leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Head Boy had some fair form in Cape Town from 1400m to 2400m and will be competitive here in this weaker centre. Tuscan Kiss is also from Cape Town and has a plum draw over an ideal trip. Galway, Just Prime and Icloud can also be included.

In the sixth race over 1400m Star Vega looks promising and will enjoy the step up in trip having run on strongly over 1200m last time. She does have tough draw to overcome though and hard knockers Spam Alert and Mitra Music can also be included.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Extravargant has ability and a plum draw over a suitable trip. Highveld raider Belton Road has dropped to a competitive mark and can make his presence felt if able to overcome a wide draw.  Pickawinner won his maiden well over course and distance in his penultimate start and has a 4kg claimer up from a fair draw so must be included.   

By David Thiselton

The Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1 200m heads the Turffontein Inside course nine race meeting tomorrow. Social Order could be the one to beat as he has shown good form lately over sprints and has a plum draw of five. The six-year-old Count Dubois gelding has been seen to be charging late in his last two starts over this trip and he has now dropped to a competitive mark.

Prince Of Kahal has won his only start over course and distance and is in good form so he will be a threat from a fair draw. Zouaves has class and some speed and from a fair draw of seven should be finishing strongly.

Russian Prince has promise and should start coming into his own this season so will be a threat off a competitive mark if able to overcome a tough draw. Will Pays has proven class and is a previous winner of this race but he does have a big weight to carry and a tricky draw.

Down To Zero will also be a big runner if able to overcome a high draw. Angel’s Power finished second in this race two years ago off what was effectively a one point higher merit rating so from draw two must be considered.

The Non-black Type Ladies Stakes is a handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and it is wide open. Lawdy Miss Clawdy won a Pinnacle event over this trip at the Vaal easily last time and has a fair draw of five.

If she can repeat that effort she will be right there. Rock A Roll Dancer is in good form and has a fine record over this trip but she does have to overcome a tricky draw of nine.

Operetta has to be included as a consistent sort who has taken well to blinkers, winning both starts with the headgear on over 1000m, and she has a good record over this trip too.

She jumps from a fair draw and with Warren Kennedy on she looks the Paul Peter stable elect.

Stablemate Afrostar has class coupled with a plum draw of three, but she does have to carry topweight and is likely looking for a touch further.

She will be staying on, as she did last time over this trip at the Vaal, but she faces Lawdy Miss Clawdy on the same terms from that race despite having been beaten 2,25 lengths.

Spiritofthegroove has plenty of resolve and looks promising. She possesses a strong finish and will have to produce it from a tricky draw of ten. She is 3,5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings but has only had three runs and looks capable of rising above her current mark. Witch Of The West has to be considered as she is 4,5kg better off with Rock A Roll Dancer for a 1,40 length beating, although that was over 1 450m and this will be on the sharp side.

It is tough to find a best bet on the day and Rockin Russian is chosen, despite being 5,5kg under sufferance on official merit ratings with her stablemate Second Request in the eighth, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1 450m. The 1,5kg claim of Kabelo Matsunyane will alleviate that to some extent and she is also drawn well over an ideal trip.

Second Request has not run since March, but if close to her peak will be hard to beat as she does possess a fine turn of foot and should be effective over this trip running fresh. Both should be included in the Pick 6 and Jackpot, but Rockin Russian is made a PA banker.

Bohica will be a popular choice in the fifth race, a MR72 Handicap over 1 600m, having won well from the front second time out over 1 400m when still extending at the line.

He starts off on a reasonable mark but could be given some cheek by Melchizedek, who is at last showing signs of the potential he has always had.

From pole position over a suitable trip the latter should run well, although officially he is 1kg under sufferance.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1 600m Reach For The Line has been a major disappointment after seeming promising early, but he ran well last time from the front over 1 450m so is obviously off a competitive mark and this is the trip of his only win.

However, the topweight Lone Survivor is the selection as he was likely ridden too handy last time and can make amends with S’Manga Khumalo up from a good draw.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 over 1 450m Ghalyoon has plenty of scope for improvement and should have come on from his fair debut over 1 400m when green so he can do well here from a good draw.

His stablemate Arnica Mountain is a R360,000 Flower Alley gelding out of a placed full-sister to Mother Russia, so is an interesting first-timer.

Quest For Good found support on debut over this course and distance and ran a fair race so can also be involved from another good draw.

By David Thiselton

African Warrior, winner of both the KZN Yearling Sale Million and the Umkhomazi Stakes, has to give away a minimum of 8kg to the entire opposition in the Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

This would suggest that he is unlikely to start his three-year-old campaign here but Dean Kannemeyer, who has yet to win the Sophomore, is away at the moment and so unable to confirm one way or the other.

The Vercingetorix gelding is rated 6kg and more better than the other 11 entries for Cape Town’s first feature of the season with the Brett Crawford-trained Finding Camelot next best on ratings.

Justin Snaith, bidding for his fifth win in this race, has the only filly, Casino Queen, entered but said: “I doubt if she will run because she is not well in but Captain Tatters is a definite runner.”

Vaughan Marshall, successful with Pay Catch in 2004 and with Lord Balmoral two years ago, has yet to make a decision on whether Ground Control runs but Mike Robinson has already booked Anthony Andrews for Call Me Al while Ossie Noach will partner Warrior Tiger for Piet Botha.

Candice Bass-Robinson gave Three Two Charlie an outing in a handicap at Durbanville on Tuesday and he finished third under top weight – “I thought it would bring him on more than another gallop would.”

Billy Prestage, who sprang a 33-1 shock with Moonlight Gambler 11 years ago, could be represented by the speedy Durbanville winner Jean’s Man.  Declarations are on Monday

Last week’s article on Charl Pretorius’s Turf Talk website on exports to Mauritius – the only real export market until such time as the EU lifts its current restrictions – has attracted a lot of interest.

Grant Knowles, who with Justin Vermaark of Green Street Bloodstock is probably the biggest player in this particular market, estimates that the Mauritians buy “close to 70 horses a year and of these I sell between 20 and 30. They pay anything from R100 000 to R1.5 million and it costs them around R70 000 to get each horse to Mauritius. This includes the 19 days quarantine in South Africa and 21 days there.” Agents like Knowles earn 5% of the purchase price and the horse’s South African trainer normally gets twice that.

By Michael Clower