Just like this year’s Vodacom Durban July, Saturday’s eLan Gold Cup has attracted a superior line-up of stayers, and fittingly brings down the curtain on this year’s racing season that officially ends on Wednesday, July 31.

The race was recently down-graded from a Grade 1 to a Grade 3, the grading committee taking the view that the quality of recent fields was not up to Grade 1 standard.

The Equus Awards committee have also added a caveat to the staying category saying that if the staying ranks were not up to scratch, the award of the country’s best stayer can be held over.

It shouldn’t be the case this year and Saturday’s winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville will be worthy of an Equus award, no matter who wins.

At first glance the race appears to have thrown up two or three standout runners, but a closer perusal of the form sees every runner in with a decent chance, from top weight Roy Had Enough to bottom weight Onesie.

It is a difficult race that stacks up a field of tough stayers in one of the best renewals of the famous race being run for the 99^th year.

Justin Snaith, still basking in the glory of back-to-back Vodacom Durban July wins with Do It Again, saddles three proven stayers and although Do It Again will not emulate Space Walk’s July and Gold Cup double some three decades back, Snaith has other strings to his bow.

Snaith has given Strathdon the somewhat dubious nick-name of ‘Matthew Lips’ after one of the NHA’s senior handicappers, pointing out that Strathdon has not won a race for nearly two years, his last win coming in an eight-horse race off a merit rating of 87. He now has a rating of 101 without having won a race since, a situation that riles Snaith every time the subject is brought up.

Strathdon has paid for his consistency but stable rider Richard Fourie has stuck with the gelding which speaks volumes.

 Snaith was fairly bullish of Doublemint’s chances in the VDJ where he was heavily supported in the market, in from 28-1 to start 13-1 on the day. He was only four lengths back to Do It Again and Anton Marcus could change his fortunes.

There is not enough space here to go through the runners but some that have caught the eye are top weight Roy Had Enough and the filly Dynasty’s Blossom.

One of the highlights of the afternoon will be the clash between VDJ runner-up Rainbow Bridge and the progressive Buffalo Bill Cody in the Gr1 Champions Cup.

Rainbow Bridge has done little wrong for Eric Sands except win this winter and rounding off his season with a Gr1 victory would be fitting.

With Hawwaam being scratched at the start of the VDJ, punters were denied the opportunity of seeing possibly the country’s best three-year-old perform against his elders.

Buffalo Bill Cody has only once tasted defeat and cruised to a comfortable victory over the smart Cirilo in his only start this year.

Off the track for close on eight months suggests that he has had problems but Mike de Kock is a master of his trade and the match-up between two top horses is a mouth-watering prospect.

There are three other Gr1 races on the card, The Mercury sprint possibly an Equus Award decider in the sprint category and the two Gr1’s for Juveniles, the Premiers Champion Stakes and the Thekhwini Stakes for fillies are both hotly contested affairs.

A win for recent Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Eden Roc will cement his place at the top of the pile for two-year-old males but the filly’s category is not cut-and-dried with many of the leading candidates having coffin draws next Saturday.

By Andrew Harrison

SA DOMESTIC HORSERACING POPULATION MERIT RATINGS ADJUSTMENT – 1 AUGUST 2019

Over the past few seasons it has been observed that a general decline in the Merit Ratings of South African domiciled horses was occurring, and that the trend has continued despite the “blanket” six pounds raise to all Merit Ratings which came into effect in March 2018.  This is particularly true at the lower end of the spectrum, where some 75% of the horse population are rated 72 and below.  The above observations were discussed extensively during the 2019 Handicappers Roadshow.

Effects of the Guidelines and Slippage Factor:

In large part, the problem of “slippage” in the overall Ratings has been exacerbated byHandicapping guidelines which were designed to severely limit increases in horses’ Ratings thereby ‘protecting’ improving horses and which in turn, as a compensatory measure, resulted in a more vigorous approach towards dropping the Ratings of struggling horses in a bid to equalise the Handicapping as much as possible.  This practice resulted in 75% of the Horse Population being rated below 72 thus causing an extreme imbalance (or congestion) in the National Merit Ratings Pyramid and consequentially to the National Race Programme.

Current Handicapping Philosophy:

Since January 2019, the NHA have adopted a more accountable and pure Handicapping philosophy by reverting to, where possible, assessing horses on their performance and not on other (often irrelevant) criteria as promulgated by the Guidelines, but the damage had already been done.   This current philosophy of handicapping horses more accurately in terms of their actual achievements should ensure that there will not be such a rapid decline in the overall Ratings again in future and, where possible (except where local operators conditions limit the Handicappers), a horse’s published or official Merit Rating would reflect the Handicappers’ assessments of a horse’s ability. 

National Horseracing Population Merit Rating Adjustment:

Accordingly, it was proposed by the NHA Handicapping team, and largely agreed upon at the Roadshows, that another increase in Domestic Merit Ratings be considered in order to balance the Population’s Merit Ratings and the Race Programme as well as alleviate any further degeneration of the Population’s Merit Ratings.  This proposal was ratified by the National Board and will come into effect on 1 August 2019.  It has been agreed that the Domestic Merit Ratings of all horses domiciled in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape will be increased by 10 pounds.

Eastern Cape:

Horses domiciled in the Eastern Cape will have their Merit Ratings increased by 5 pounds.  This decision was taken in light of the Eastern Cape racing centre being a victim of the ‘creep factor’.    An Eastern Cape horse will be defined, for the purposes of the adjustment, as any horse domiciled and trained in the Eastern Cape that has had two of its last three starts in Eastern Cape.

Northern Cape and Zimbabwe:

The same definition of what constitutes domiciles will be applied to horses based in the Northern Cape and Zimbabwe, but no increase will be implemented in the Merit Ratings of horses in those regions.

Merit Ratings and the Race Programme:

This increase will have the highly desirable effect of uncluttering the lowest divisions as well as helping to boost the higher divisions, where races often attract small fields or fall away altogether due to insufficient entries.  Horses at the bottom of the Ratings’ spectrum will also find it much easier to get into races than is presently the case, where they are regularly eliminated or have no option but to contest races which are too strong for them.  The National Race Programme, as confirmed by the Racing Operators, will be adjusted to accommodate the impending Merit Rating increase and should ensure a balance between the Merit Ratings and the National Race Programme. 

International Merit Ratings:

It should be noted that the increase will only affect Domestic Merit Ratings and not the International Ratings of South African trained horses.  The International Ratings of South African trained horses are done by the World’s Best Racehorse Ratings Committee.

Handicapping Methodology and Updated Guidelines:

A Handicapping Methodology Guide as well as the updated Handicapping Guidelines will be published by the NHA on implementation of the abovementioned National Merit Rating increase.

Ends.

Equus Champion two-year-old elect Eden Roc will attempt to remain unbeaten in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The Var colt appears to be looking for this trip and although not big is well put together and has a fine turn of foot.

He is more mature than his stablemate Putontheredlight who was caught late by Eden Roc last time out in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m. This time Putontheredlight has a wide draw but should be running on again.

Got The Greenlight is long-striding and classy and after likely being dropped out from a wide draw he will be finishing strongly too. 

Wave seemed to be lost under the lights in the KZN Yearling Sale Million and was going nowhere when he suddenly got going and finished strongly for a length second to the promising African Warrior. He is another high drawn horse who should be staying on. 

Loosen Your Tie finished fourth in the Golden Horseshoe, quickening from a handy position and staying on and over a suitable step up in trip he will be looking for a repeat. 

Double Alliance makes his KZN debut and will be a big runner. He moved up dangerously in the Langerman last time out over 1500m ay Kenilworth but was squeezed out badly. He ran on again for fifth but might otherwise have won. 

Kaydens Pride has run on well in his last two over shorter, including winning the Gatecrasher over 1400m, so has a chance here. 

Fools Gold is a rangy type who waltzed away with a Maiden Juvenile Plate when stepped up to 1400m last time, so he is something of an unknown quantity.

Master Of Illusion is rated by the Dennis Drier yard and was too far back in the Golden Horseshoe but was the fastest finisher. 

Rock The Globe was well beaten in the Golden Horseshoe but was staying on so is another who will enjoy the trip.

Special Blend had to be driven for much of the way when a 2,45 length fifth to Kaydens Pride in the Gatecrasher Stakes and with the experience he could improve over a trip which should suit.

Enjoy The View is a classy type who should relish this trip and he is a dark horse.

Promiseofamaster stayed on to beaten 1,10 lengths by Got The Greenlight over 1400m last time and should enjoy the trip but is 2kg worse off with the latter.

Liberty Hall was just touched off over this trip at Scottsville last time but looks to have plenty of scope.

By David Thiselton

Visiting trainers Paul Peter and Paul Matchett are launching a concerted raid at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today, Peter in particular who sends out six runners three of which are favourites on the nine-race card.

Point Of Sale in the first looked the obvious choice to bolster finances before the start of the exotic bets, but she has a date in the Gr2 Gagasi FM Debutante on Saturday and the stipes have given permission to scratch from today’s race.

This leaves a choice between Katie’s Treasure and Talia Al Ghul, the former possible the pick after her smart showing at just her second start.

Matchett has only one runner on the day and Doublethink will have a host of supporters in the second. He has useful Highveld sprint form but could prefer this trip. From a good draw he should feature. Liverpool Champ looks a likely threat.  He was a well a beaten fourth on debut but that form has worked out quite well and the experience should count.

Arizona Silk was not too far behind the promising Alibi Guy last time out and the addition of blinkers and Anton Marcus could see him convert favouritism in the third. However, Stolen Paradise was in need of his last outing and looks fair value at 10-1 for Duncan Howells and a very much in form Donovan Dillon.

Top weight Johnny Black is likely to start top of the boards for the apprentice handicap. The gelding has his second start for Alyson Wright and takes a drop in class here. It shouldn’t be that easy though with Great Stohvanen and Blaze Of Silk likely to push him all the way.

The first of the Peter favourites come up in the fifth where Nazareth will be a popular choice having gone close in two recent starts over the distance and from a good draw should feature again. Hope For Millions and Little Sparrow, stable companion to Nazareth, both have chances while Blanket Of Snow found good market support last run and was not far back. She can do better here.

Justin Snaith is packing up and heading south with VDJ winner Do It Again already on his way, but Snaith still has a few more fish to fry. Ladder Man was close-up in useful company last outing and has his third run after a break. Legend is not the easiest but has been knocking at the door for some time now and is due a change of fortune and could prove the biggest threat although another Paul Peter runner, Tripple Z, is current ante-post favourite.

A smart field of sprinters line up in the seventh where all of Cumulus, Woodstock Festival, Ultra Magnus and ante-post favourite Big Blue Marble are in with chances.

Marsanne goes into the eighth unbeaten in two and the stable hold her in high regard. But she takes to the turf for the first time over a shorter trip which could leave the door open for Linear who ran a cracking race first up out of the maidens.

Before Noon can close off the meeting. Sean Tarry’s runner won well last start and although he meets second placed Viento on 2kg worse terms he looks capable of going in again. The Peter’s-trained Corrido has some fair Highveld form, is distance suited and looks pick of the balance.

By Andrew Harrison

A lunch over a couple of bottles of wine has turned into a dream come true for Durban racing enthusiast Michael Heron and friends who are looking forward to their charge Wealthy running in the eLan Gold Cup on Saturday.

Peter Gibson put the syndicate together and said, “This horse has effectively been given a second chance in life by his very sporting owner Robert Chung and the willingness of the current owners to take a chance.”

Michael was hosting a lunch at his house when Peter mentioned the opportunity of taking over the running costs of a well-bred horse who had talent but had a breathing issue which meant a wind operation was necessary.

Michael decided to take a ten percent share despite another of the lunch attendees being advised by his veterinarian brother to not take the risk.

Wealthy, now a six-year-old, has always been rated by trainer Dennis Drier. As a three-year-old the Silvano gelding was sent down to Cape Town with the aim of running in the big stayers race on Sun Met day and from there the plan was to send him to Mike de Kock’s yard in Dubai.

Unfortunately for Chung, the handsome bay developed a breathing issue while in Cape Town.

Chung, in his experience of owning over fifty horses, did not wish to persevere but hoped Wealthy would find a good home.

Instead a successful wind operation was performed by Dr Johnny Cave of Baker and McVeigh Equine Hospital.

Peter said, “When you watch him gallop you cannot hear a thing he is now so clean winded.”

As Peter put the partnership together Michael’s hopes were buoyed when Tony Dickinson took a share.

He said, “Tony has a reputation for being a very lucky man.”

He recounted a quote from well-known KZN racing owner Grant Cornwall, who said, “If Tony was forced to use a long drop he would emerge with a rolex.”

Previous Gold Cup-winning owner Sean Singleton also joined the partnership, so if Wealthy does win on Saturday a rendition of the “woer-woer masjien” warcry, made famous by Hermoso Mundo’s win two years ago, will ring out from the winner’s enclosure.

The syndicate was completed when shares were taken by Marcus Nel, Dean Hayman and Gill Drier.

Wealthy was reported well by Peter and Michael who watched him working at Summerveld yesterday.

He booked his place in the Gold Cup through an impressive performance in the DSTv Gold Vase over 3000m on Vodacom Durban July day, charging through from last in the running for a 1,90 length fourth, and but for a couple of traffic problems he might have finished closer.

Michael’s awareness of racing began at school when two of his best friends, in an accountancy project, chose horseracing as their “business”.

“It went bankrupt!” he recalled.

Michael was a useful left arm spinner and after school played club cricket in KZN’s first league which had a culture of horseracing lovers.

He remembered always being put on the boundary when not bowling as he was a “bad fielder” but in afternoon sessions he was often replaced for an over or two by teammates who wished to listen to racing commentaries.

His interest in the Sport Of Kings blossomed while based in London on a year of travel. 

On Epsom Derby day one of his travelling companions wandered over to the local bookmaker and patriotically put two pounds eachway on Michael Roberts’ mount Terimon. To this day Terimon remains the highest priced horse, at 500/1 odds, to ever place in the Derby, so the usually skint travellers were able to attend Royal Ascot a couple of weeks later.

Michael said, “I remember Warning winning (the Queen Anne Stakes) and it was regarded as the best performance over a mile since 1948.”

A couple of weeks later they caught the train to Sandown and watched Derby winner Nashwan winning the Coral Eclipse.

Back in South Africa Michael never missed a July or Gold Cup meeting and with a runner in this year’s premier staying event has been pinching himself this week. 

Peter, like many racing purists, also loves the Gold Cup meeting, particularly as it brings back the memory of the David Payne-trained 1991 winner Icona. This USA-bred import, formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had won a Listed race over a mile and two furlongs on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and Peter preached it for weeks in the build up to the Gold Cup, despite the naysayers believing he could not win with topweight. A party to remember followed one of Peter’s biggest ever punting successes.

Wealthy has a habit of winning when the stakes are at their biggest. His three wins for the current owners include two Chapter Challenge finals and the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap.

He is currently quoted at 33/1 by Track and Ball but and carrying a nice galloping weight of 54kg and as one who clearly relished the distance last time he is one of the race’s dark horses. He gets on well with stable jockey Sean Veale and victory will spark a celebration of epic proportions up in the grandstand suites.

By David Thiselton

Gabor is a worthy favourite for the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m on eLan Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

This Gavin van Zyl-trained filly was drawn wide in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day and was then caught wide in the running. Yet she still managed to stay on well for third. She has substance and the perfect pedigree for this event being by Kingsbarns, who won the Grade 1 Racing Post Trophy over a mile as a two-year-old in the UK, out of a Trippi half-sister to the Thekwini winner Roxanne (Western Winter).

Warren Kennedy said before her last race that if had not been for her wide draw he would confidently predict she would finish in the first three. She managed to achieve that feat anyway and now has a plum draw of two.

However, she won’t have it all her own way as the winner of the Golden Slipper, Cockney Pride, looked a picture in the preliminaries that day and then showed her class by settling well on the rail in midfield and then using her long stride to run on strongly. She looks to have scope for further improvement. She does have a wide draw now of 12 but does look capable of making up plenty of ground so might well be dropped out.

Those two look to be the principles in this intriguing race but the bookmakers are siding with Gabor, who is around 17/10, while Cockney Pride is only third favourite at 6,25/1.

True To Life is the second favourite at around 5/1 but is under a cloud as she moved up well in the straight in the Golden Slipper before finding little extra and finishing fourth. On pedigree this long-striding Duke Of Marmalade filly will relish the step up to 1600m, as her dam by Medaglia D’Oro won up to 2000m, so that might have just been an off day.

By David Thiselton

Kasimir will be crowned Equus Champion sprinter if converting 19/10 favouritism in the Grade 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint over 1200m at the eLan Gold Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

However, Chimchuri Run or Celtcic Sea could wrest it from his grasp if they win the R1 million event. 

Kasimir stamped himself as the best sprinter in the country when winning the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth in impressive fashion. He has a magnificent action and proved his courage next time out in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m when seeing off some late challenges despite having been used up to overcome an unfavourable draw. He will have come on considerably from his last start in the Post Merchants and will be hard to beat from a fair draw of eight. 

Celtic Sea displayed her terrific turn of foot when sitting behind the leading line and then taking off in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She then showed her versatility by winning the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. She has always had a liking for Hollywoodbets Greyville and from a favourable draw of five will be running on strongly. 

Chimichuri Run proved how good his turn of foot is when winning the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over this trip. From his wide draw on Saturday he will likely have to be dropped out so will have to rely on his acceleration again.  

The pace is going to be of importance and it could be provided by Snowdance, whose best career runs have been when allowed to use her big action throughout. From a high draw of 13 Anton Marcus might have no option but to go to the front. She made a bold bid to lead from start to finish in the SA Fillies Sprint when losing by 1,70 lengths to Celtic Sea. However, that was her first run for four months and she be in fine shape coming off a third place finish to Celtic Sea in the Garden Province. Her finishing kick is likely more effective over a bit further, but she can’t be written off.

Bold Respect led from pillar to post when winning the Tsogo Sun Sprint last year so is another possible pacemaker from draw eleven. He has placed in good company in all his starts this season but does have issues and has been a touch disappointing. He has a tough task reversing from with the like of Kasimir but should be thereabouts again.

The most interesting entry is the two-year-old Frosted Gold. He was unlucky in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m when having to be switched to the outside for a run and only failing by 0,60 lengths. If his innate ability is as good as the like of Kasimir’s he will have just as much chance of winning because he will receive 7,5kg in accordance with the weight for age system which has been tried and tested over one-and-a-half centuries. In fact one of Britain’s top weight for age sprints, The Nunthorpe Stakes, has been won twice by two-year-olds in the last 30 years.  

Alyaasaat showed a good turn of foot when beating a good field over 1400m in his penultimate start. He likely used his last start over 1160m as a preparation for this event. He is six points lower than Kasimir in the merit ratings but has been running over further so is unknown over this trip and is a dark horse.

Van Halen will also be a dark horse. He looked to be top class when winning the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion last year, but then disappointed in Cape Town this season. However, he has looked like his old self recently and has also learned to settle in the running. He has consequently reeled off two wins in succession at Hollywoodbets Greyville, using his fine turn of foot from off the pace. He is worthy of his 110 rating, which gives him a hard task with Kasimir, but he is proven Grade 1 class.

Last year’s winner Will Pays is another dark horse as this is the first time since that win that he will be dropping back to this trip. He is drawn in pole so will dive down the inside like he did last year. However, it looks to be a stronger field.     

Africa Rising has a big heart and a good turn of foot but has a tricky draw and on Tsogo Sun Sprint form is 1,5kg worse off with Chimichuri Run despite being beaten by 0,95 lengths. The latter as a three-year-old would have made weight for age improvement since then too.

Palace Chapel has pace and a good kick but was beaten 1,65 lengths by Chimichuri Run in the Tsogo Sun Sprint and is now 2kg worse off.

Search Party won the Post Merchants over course and distance two years ago and finished third in the Cape Flying this year but is an unlikely winner here from a wide draw.

Vision To Kill ran on strongly from off the pace for third in the SA Fillies Sprint and will be hoping for a good pace, but she does have 3,80 lengths to find on Celtic Sea. 

La Bella Mia won the Post Merchants in good style but she was well weighted in that race and is officially by far the worst weighted horse here.

By David Thiselton

Aldo Domeyer, now one of the stars of Hong Kong, will be back in South African action at Kenilworth on Saturday when he has four rides for Justin Snaith, two for Andre Nel and one for Candice Bass-Robinson.

The Cape champion has made a huge impact in Hong Kong during his short spell there, getting off the mark with a double on his first day and finishing up his abbreviated season (less than three months) with 13 winners from just 116 rides.

Racegoers need to get there early on Saturday because race one has been brought forward to 11.15am so that the first four races can be included on the French tote betting menu. This is expected to generate substantially increased turnover and earn significant – and much needed – income for South African racing.

Eric Sands believes that he has taken the necessary steps to ensure that Rainbow Bridge does not fall victim to any adverse bounce factor when the Vodacom Durban July runner-up attempts to go one better in Saturday’s World Sports Betting Champions Cup.

Finishing second in the July can often take more out of a horse than it shows at home and, while Marinaresco went on to win the Champions Cup in 2016, the two previous July runners-up – Punta Arenas and Wylie Hall – finished second last and third last.

Sands said: “There is always that risk but we purposely went easy with Rainbow Bridge for ten days after the July and he just did light work. He did go off his manger for a little bit but he had had a hard race so that wasn’t unexpected.

“His work last Tuesday was good and on Thursday it was top class. He is fit, he is sound and he is well in himself. I don’t see the two furlong shorter trip worrying him and Richard Fourie is unbeaten in three rides on him.”

Gavin Lerena, who rode Rainbow Bridge in the July, is retained by Mary Slack and so rides Buffalo Bill Cody who continues to attract punter support and the sponsors now have him 17-10 joint favourite with Rainbow Bridge.

Made To Conquer, second in last year’s July but finishing with only two behind him this time, has been sold to Mauritius and will leave after running in the eLan Gold Cup.

Eyebrows were raised in some quarters when Snowdance was declared for Saturday’s Mercury Sprint. Although she ran a great race to take second in the SA Fillies Sprint, Justin Snaith said before her third in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province that she was not a sprinter and never would be.

He explains: “This is potentially her last run, there is nothing else for her and it was either this race or come home. She is doing well so why not run?”

No more waiting up until after midnight, or sitting through those never-ending Hong Kong previews. The post-race interviews are now shown on the tabonline website and they are posted up quite soon after each race, complete with a clip of the final stages. It’s a marvellous innovation and should do wonders for customer relations. Apparently it was the brainchild of Phumelela racing analyst Germaine Maharaj. He is entitled to take a bow.

By Michael Clower

The KZN Falcons won yesterday’s Rider Cup and one of their members, Keagan de Melo, was crowned Victor Ladorum.

The favourites, the Highveld Hawks, got off to a good start when Muzi Yeni won the opener on the Sean Tarry-trained Highveld raider Over The Limit. De Melo was just touched off on Duchess Lane and that was a boost to the Falcons chances. However, S’Manga Khumalo and Lyle Hewitson finished third and fourth in this race and Ryan Munger sixth, to give the Hawks a tally of 54 after the first with the Falcons on 32 and the Cape Eagles on 26.

In the second race there was another ding-dong tussle down the straight and it was Sean Veale on the Mike Miller-trained Stormbourne Thunder who got the better of Bernard Fayd’Herbe on Spam Alert. Eden Garden Glitz with Munger up finished third. The Hawks collected 28 points to remain in the lead on 82 points but the Eagles and Falcons collected 45 and 39 points respectively to close the gap and were both on 71 points.

The third leg saw another thriller and it was De Melo who exacted a strong finish out of the Paul Gadsby-trained Isla Morada to deny Greg Cheyne on Such A Rush and Muzi Yeni on Bronnie. The Falcons scored 44 points this leg to the Hawks’ 24 and they thus swooped into the lead with a tally of 115 to 106. The Eagles scored 33 points in this leg and now trailed on 104 points.

Anton Marcus brought the favourite Gimmie A Cohiba home in the last to an easy victory from De Melo on Gibraltar Green and Hewitson on Techno Captain.

The Falcons had thus wrapped it up comfortably.

Their tally of 46 points in the last leg took them to a total for the competition of 161 points. The Eagles scored 31 points in the last leg to finish second on 135 points and the Hawks 24 points relegated them to last place on 130 points.     

De Melo collected an impressive 59 points to Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s 47. Yeni was third on 44 points.

By David Thiselton

Image Caption: The KZN Falcons claimed the New Turf Carriers Rider Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville in convincing fashion yesterday. Led by captain Anton Marcus, their tally of 46 points in the last leg took them to a total of 161 points for the competition.

The Cape Eagles scored 31 points in the last leg to finish second on 135 points and the Highveld Hawks 24 points relegating them to last place on 130 points.     

De Melo collected 59 individual points to Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s 47. Yeni was third on 44 points.         

The Highveld Hawks were bidding for their third straight win in the annual competition.

KZN riders won three of the four legs, De Melo, Veal and Marcus obliging with Muzi Yeni claiming the first leg on the Sean Tarry-trained Over The Limit. From left: Michael Sham from New Turf Carriers, Victor Ladorum Keagan de Melo, Falcons captain Anton Marcus, Warren Kenney, Sean Veal and Matthew Sham of New Turf. (Image Credit: Candiese Marnewick)

The Grade 1 weight for age Champions Cup, to be run on eLan Gold Cup day this Saturday, is always an intriguing race as it attracts a top class field but often the fresher horses perform better than those who have taken part in the Vodacom Durban July, which is not only the country’s premier race but also one of the roughest and toughest.

Joint-favourite Buffalo Bill Cody has always been regarded by Mike de Kock as “a little better” than Hawwaam. He has won six out of seven and has won all four of his mile starts with ease. He has never run in a feature before but last time out slammed the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut and Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge runner up Cirillo by 3,25 lengths and probably needed that run too. De Kock has a fine record with sons of the top shuttle sire Redoute’s Choice and this colt looks capable of becoming another of this stallion’s champions. He will be coming into his own now being an Irish-bred four-year-old who is six months younger than his contemporaries and he should relish the step up to 1800m considering his running style. On pedigree his dam by Sri Pekan was a sprinter, but she produced a horse who came third in a Group 1 over a mile and two furlongs (2000m). Buffalo Bill Cody has a plum draw of three and will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.   

His stablemate Soqrat has not raced since finishing fourth in the Gold Challenge, so will be relatively fresh. He is able to relax well in the running and then has a good turn of foot and a sustained finish so he should enjoy this step up in trip. A wide draw was his undoing in the KRA Guineas and he has another wide draw here but over 1800m it should be easier to overcome.

Cirillo had to be dropped out the day he was well beaten by Buffalo Bill Cody but he now has pole position and will be able to take up his favourite front-running role. He will be dangerous although he will likely have to keep up a good momentum as Undercover Agent does not like to hang around.  

The other deserved joint-favourite is Rainbow Bridge, who is drawn in pole and will enjoy the 1800m trip. He has settled well in his last few starts and has an electric turn of foot. However, he peaked for the July and that took place only three weeks before this race, so there has not been a lot of time to freshen him up. There is no doubt he will give it his all though as he has proven courage.

Undercover Agent finished second in this race last year and will once again come in fresh having avoided the July after running fifth in the defence of his Gold Challenge crown. He has a middle draw and should be right there, although this field is considerably stronger than last year’s.

Twist Of Fate is a courageous sort who was able to overcome a wide draw in the July and still run third. He will have to overcome another wide draw here. He looks to be a tough horse so can be involved in the finish despite his July exertions.

Eyes Wide Open was the unlucky horse in the July where he was well weighted, He rallied again after being squeezed out and finished a fine fourth. He now has a much tougher task at the weights.

Matador Man is an enigmatic sort who usually loses ground at the start. He is best over a mile but has a devastating turn of foot and running fresh here he could make a bold bid to repeat his third place finish of two years ago, although this is a much stronger field.  

Infamous Fox loves Greyville and proved his class last time when waltzing home in the WSB 2200. However, he faces a much stronger field this time.

Kampala Kampari is the joint lowest rated horse along with Eyes Wide Open but he showed his liking for this course and distance when beating the latter to win the Grade 3 Cup Trial. He comes in fresh but is now 1kg worse off with Eyes Wide Open for a head beating and this field is also a lot stronger.  

By David Thiselton