Tomorrow’s Kenilworth two-year-old race is like a jigsaw with the most important pieces missing. Not one of the nine runners has raced and few of the trainers are expressing any great confidence.

World Sports Betting went by the trainer form book when pricing up the race on Wednesday and made the Vaughan Marshall runner favourite at 21-20. No surprise there -the colt is guaranteed to know his job and be ready.

Joie De Vivre is out of a three-parts sister to Captain Al and, although he was put in the CTS Premier, he did not sell. More to the point for our purposes, he is by Silvano so this 1 000m could be on the short side – “He is a very nice horse but I think he might just need it,” was his trainer’s verdict yesterday.

Second favourite at 5-2 is Roi Querari, a R625 000 half-brother to Captainofthesea and whose dam is a full sister to the Cape Flying runner-up Rushing Wind. Richard Fourie rides him rather than 12-1 stable companion Kamadeva, a R225 000 Capetown Noir.

“There is not a lot between them and I wouldn’t like to say which would beat the other,” said Justin Snaith pointing out that he hasn’t had a lot of joy with first time two-year-olds. “Roi Querari is a nice type, a very strong horse and I’m expecting a good run while Kamadeva shows a lot of pace at home and he puts a lot of effort into his work.”

Do Or Dare (13-2) is the most expensive of the nine at R750 000 and is by Dynasty out of a half-sister to July winner Hunting Tower. “This may be a little bit sharp for him but he is showing lots of natural speed,” said Dean Kannemeyer. “He will be doing his best work at the finish.”

The Visionaire colt Minnesota Dream (11-1) cost R400 000 but will he be ready enough? “I don’t know,” answered Joey Ramsden. “He is a big horse and he wants further but he does go very well.”

Hidden Strings is the only filly in the race, she cost just R50 000 despite being out of a Captain Al mare but she is a 20-1 shot. “She has a lot of pace and has galloped very well but I wouldn’t count on it first time out against the colts,” said Greg Ennion.

There is nil confidence behind R70 000 20-1 shot Optimum even though he is by Oratorio. “He has done enough to run but physically and mentally he is not really ready,” said Piet Botha.

Paul Reeves has already had a two-year-old winner this season but Captain Yolo is the 25-1 outsider of the party and Fighter a 16-1 shot. Maybe those prices are a little over-generous because Reeves said: “Both show good speed although they may need the run. Fighter is slightly ahead of the other one.”

Personally, I am taking the easy way out and going with Joie De Vivre. Salt can win the next and Round The Horn race three. Everything went wrong for Var Express when hot favourite last time and, with Anton Marcus on board, he looks the bet of the day at 9-2 in race four.

By Michael Clower

Rebel’s Champ and Prince Of Kahal clash again in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000m at Turffontein and it should be a thriller weather permitting.

Last time Rebel’s Champ came out on top over the course and distance by 0,3 lengths and is only half-a-kilogram worse off. This progressive horse also enjoys the sting out of the ground and is drawn on the stand side which is often the right side, especially in wet conditions. He travelled all the way down to Cape Town for the Cape Flying Championship, but if he had not taken the journey well he would not be lining up here so he should be fine. Prince Of Kahal is an honest sort with speed and a touch of class and there will be nothing in it. Red Chesnut Road is an interesting raider from KZN. He looked something special as a youngster before problems set him back but he has become a hard-knocking sprint-miler off his current 102 merit rating. He should enjoy the conditions having won twice in wet going and the blinkers come back on after he stayed on well for second to Dark Moon Rising over 1600m last time. Rivarine was only 1,3 lengths behind Rebel’s Champ last time and is now 2kg better off so he is also in the hunt, especially as he has the highest draw of all. Exquisite Touch is 2,5kg better off with Rebel’s Champ for a 1,50 length beating so there is not much in it. Chantyman is an improving gelding by Oratorio who is also an interesting raider from KZN but on a previous meeting over 1200m he has a tough task with Red Chesnut Road.

In the last leg of the Pick Colonel Caramel was too far back over 1450m last Saturday and was found to be coughing. However, from a good draw over 1600m here and on the long straight of the Standside track he could make amends and is chosen as the value bet of the day.

In the previous race over 2000m, an Assessment Plate, Protea Paradise is the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings and has proved himself over the course and distance before, finishing a head behind Atyaab at level weights and the latter went on to win the Grade 1 Cape Derby. Joint topweights Senor Lizard and Saints Alive look to be the only threats.

In the first leg of the PA Varquera made a good debut and should have come on from it being by Oratorio. Atrevete stayed on well on debut and will go close with a repeat. Captain’s Love should be staying on strongly too. Second reserve Trip To Nantes is by Trippi and is a half-brother to Edict Of Nantes so can go close if getting a run. Hartleyfive disappointed last time and was found to be making a breathing noise. He can’t be ignored as he has the ability to go close.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Lazarus Tree is good on his day and from a high draw might pull it off. Purple Diamond disappointed last time but has the ability to go close. Oravar has plenty of speed and this fast track should suit him. If the low draws prove to not be a disadvantage on the day then Old Man Tyme must be included. Tarsus won well last time and can also be considered.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1400m Infamous Fox has class and with first time blinkers on will relish this course and distance, Tilbury Fort has the speed to go close and Captain And Master, who wears first time blinkers, is ideally distance suited but has a tricky draw.  

In the sixth race over 1400m Regal Graduation beat Gimme Hope Johanna easily by 1,8 lengths last time and is now 2kg worse off  but better drawn. Gimme Hope Johanna is course and distance suited and is improving, although he has a tricky draw. Mar Del Sur has dropped to an attractive merit rating and is distance suited. Invincible Lady is interesting dropped in trip. Mazari has the ability to go close if bouncing back from a good draw.

By David Thiselton

Thistlecrack and Kemboy look to be the best value in the ante-post odds for the world’s most prestigious chase, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is to be run on March 15.

Thistlecrack was a top class staying hurdler and noted for the size of his engine. He looked to be on his way to greatness when hacking up in his first four chases in 2016 including an ultra-impressive win in the prestigious King George Chase at Kempton Park, run annually on Boxing Day. He was touched off in a subsequent preparation at Cheltenham and then, alas, he had to be scratched as favourite for the Gold Cup after suffering a slight tendon tear. Last year he had to be scratched from the big one again after the discovery of a stress fracture in a leg.

However, in this season’s King George he looked back to himself despite now being a ten-year-old. He came off second best in a stirring duel to the line. However, it could be a different story in the climb up the Cheltenham hill where his obviously high VO2 Max will be at its most advantageous. He is now an eleven-year-old and trainer Colin Tizzard said last month, “Given his history of injuries and how he has picked them up, our best chance is going there without a run. He’s a lovely horse as we’ve always known and given the problems he’s had over the past season or two we just want to get him to the Gold Cup.”

Irish trainer Willie Mullins is the most successful Cheltenham Festival trainer in history but the Gold Cup has always eluded him. Ireland’s twelve-time champion trainer has entered three, Kemboy, Bellshill and Al Boum Photo. Kemboy looks to be his best chance. This rangy French-bred seven-year-old is Ireland’s most progressive chaser and comes off an emphatic victory in the Grade 1 Savills Chase over three miles at Leopardstown on December 28. He was unconsidered before that but had always been an eyecatching sort who just needed maturing. He has run twice at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Neptune Novices Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs in 2017 and fourth in the Grade 1 JLT Novice’s Chase over two miles and four furlongs last year.

The ruling Gold Cup favourite is Ireland’s Patrick Kelly-trained Presenting Percy, who is unbeaten in two starts at the Cheltenham Festival, winning the Listed Pertemps Network Final handicap hurdle over three miles in 2017 with second top weight and winning the Grade 1 RSA Insurances Novice Chase over three miles and half-a-furlong last year. Interestingly he beat Monalee by seven lengths in the latter race, the same horse which Kemboy beat by seven-and-a-half lengths in the Savills Chase. Presenting Percy has only raced once this season, defending his title in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle over three miles at Gowran Park on 24 January. Last season he used that and a run in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase over two miles and four furlongs as his build up to Cheltenham, although he had also had three runs before Christmas.

Presenting Percy is at a best price 3/1, Kemboy is at 10/1 and Thistlecrack 16/1.

By David Thiselton

Candice Bass-Robinson runs three horses at Fairview tomorrow following last week’s successful foray when she won with two of her four Port Elizabeth raiders, and seemingly this is going to be a regular thing.

She said: “I will go on sending horses to PE every week for the next two months because there is less racing in Cape Town. At one time we used to race twice a week there and now it’s often only once a week.”

An analysis on the SA Horseracing website shows that the total number of scheduled racemeetings in South Africa will drop from last year’s 432 to 427 this year with the Eastern Cape losing three (72 to 69) and the Western Cape dropping from 77 to 75. Some of this is due to the way the calendar falls but it is particularly noticeable in Cape Town at the moment with only four meetings this month. Last year there were just five in February but a fixture was inserted at Durbanville on the Saturday after the Sun Met, so preventing this time’s blank fortnight.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who won on odds-on shot Big Fish for the stable last Friday, rides two of the three raiders – 4-1 chance Profound in the 1 300m maiden (race three) and Celestial Prince who is 16-10 favourite for the 1 900m maiden (race five). Lyle Hewitson partners 15-2 stable companion Master Design in the latter race.

The betting on the big two in the trainers’ championship is now closer than it has been all season. Justin Snaith, bidding for his third title and with stakes of nearly R11.4 million, is favourite at 11-10 with World Sports Betting but three-time champion Sean Tarry is only R600 000 behind him and is on 12-10. Mike de Kock, champion eight times and on 7-1, has stakes of nearly R9 million and is the only other quoted.

Anton Marcus is beginning to look generous at 15-10 to become champion jockey for the fifth time. He went into last night’s Greyville meeting on 122 winners, nine clear of 28-10 second favourite Muzi Yeni with former champion Gavin Lerena (82) on 33-10, the same price as the current champion Lyle Hewitson (93).

Marcus has five rides at Kenilworth on Saturday but only one is favourite, Red Rascal, a rare ride for nephew Adam in the 1 000m handicap. The four-year-old, who won his last start, heads the market at 4-1. S’Manga Khumalo rides at Kenilworth for the second Saturday in succession and he will be in action in every race except the last. Five of his seven mounts are for Joey Ramsden and the betting would suggest that his best chance is on 7-1 shot Apollo Ace in the 1 000m handicap.  

BLOB Paul Reeves is calling for the present 8.15am official scratching of reserves to be put back to 9.00am, the deadline for declaring blinkers, tongue ties etc, saying: “Sometimes runners are scratched between the two deadlines. Extending the time would give that much more chance of reserves getting a run and so filling the fields. Punters want runners and so do owners.”

However National Racing Bureau boss Aveen Sewpersad is unimpressed and said: “The 8.15 am time is linked to racehorse transport because horses start leaving stables for the racecourse around 8.30am.”

By Michael Clower

Owner and small-time breeder Marius Mostert made a heartwarming gesture in the winner’s enclosure recently when donating the full share of his stakes winnings to trainer Gary Rich.

Marius is the husband of former Gold Circle media liaison manager Gill Mostert nee Simpkins.

The winning horse was Clouds Of Witness and Marius said, “I own 50% of this Master Of My Fate gelding and Gary had given Billy Jacobson the opportunity to ride him regardless. Billy works on our farm and is like family to us, so we won the race with our jockey and our colours and it also flashed through my mind that Gary wakes up early in the morning like every other trainer and goes through the same hardships despite not having the biggest or highest class string so I thought it would be a small gesture and show gratitude for helping our dream come true.”

Marius has his own business which keeps him busy and Gill runs their farm in Summerveld. Billy is the farm manager and Bugsy Saunders is the manager of the horses.

The Mosterts have a small band of broodmares and have recently added a stallion when they retired their part-owned Australian-bred horse Kingdom Come. He will be one of the only raced maidens to be standing in South Africa but is well bred being by Kentucky Derby and World Cup winner Animal Kingdom out of a Listed-placed Not A Single Doubt mare. He showed promise and ran four places in five starts but unfortunately had an entrapped epiglottis and couldn’t breathe.

Kingdom Come’s first cover will be Var mare Qarman who won on debut over 1000m at Turffontein and had nine more unplaced runs.  

Qarman currently has a “beautiful” Captain Of All filly at foot and was last covered by Ideal World, sire of Sun Met winner Rainbow Bridge.

The Mosterts also stand the five-time winning Jet Master mare Jet Intombi, who is in foal to Twice over, sire of Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again.

The farm is also used to spell young horses and as a holiday place for horses in training needing rests.

Marius has about nine horses in training including the talented colt White Lightning and the Australian-bred gelding Celebration Rock, both trained by Paul Lafferty.

He also has a share in a promising Lafferty-trained Silvano out of a Visionaire mare, who will be coming out in a barrier trial soon.

One of Gill’s favourite horses was July winner Legislate and fittingly the first horse she has ever owned by herself is his first progeny to be sold at public auction. The Mosterts’ “Lovinglife Stables” bought this Legislate colt out of Listed-winning Lundy’s Liability mare Bursary for R100,000 at the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Marius gave the colt to Gill for her birthday and he will run one day in her newly registered colours.

Marius has done the full circle in racing. As a student he had a job on course as a “paper boy”. These are the helpers who are on hand to fit the rolls of paper into the Tote machines. He then progressed on to Tote machine operator and then became a supervisor. From a long time ago he enjoyed punting but his passion extends far beyond just betting. 

Gill was also known during her time at Gold Circle for her passion for the sport. 

The couple are certainly living the dream in the “dream industry”.

By David Thiselton

Last Of The Legend has a mighty reputation to live up to if he is to emulate the feats of his illustrious sire but he is on the right track as the son of Horse Chestnut kept his clean sheet in the seventh on the poly at Greyville yesterday.

From maiden triumph into winning an 80MR Handicap is no easy assignment but Champion trainer Sean Tarry knows his oats and Last Of The Legend delivered as he got the better of Lowan Denysschen’s luckless favourite High Green, his fourth successive runner-up berth.

Bottom weight and aided by a pedestrian gallop that largely nullified his position two off the fence for much of the race, Last Of The Legend was given a peach of a ride by Luke Ferraris who, in only his second year as an apprentice, is mature beyond his age when it comes to race-riding. He nursed his mount until challenged by multiple champion Anton Marcus on High Green, and then extracted just enough to win cosily in what turned into a sprint for the line.

It was not a win that earmarks a champion but it was still a very decent effort.

Yesterday was one of those days for punters as favourites got ‘rolled’ regularly and those backers that went wide in the exotics will have been well rewarded.

The upset trend was set in the card opener, although the winner Yaas, was not entirely unexpected with the Louis Goosen stable almost invincible at present.

Goosen was aided by apprentice Jason Gates, ‘up-graded’ to a 2.5kg claim last Sunday after recording the 20^th winner of his fledgling career. He was worth every gram of his claim on Yaas as he kept the filly going just long enough to edge out two fast-finishers in Missibaba and favourite Sarabi, short heads covering the first four home.

Gates was back in the winner’s box two races later, as he scored a comfortable win on Miesque Sunrise for Wayne Bardenhorst, the first boil-over in the Pick 6 with the winner starting at 25-1.

Gates tracked the early pace with the balance of the field playing the waiting game, but once he set his mount alight, the pack was left flat-footed and his filly was never challenged.

If Yaas didn’t set the trend, then Flexible Fugitive did as Robbie Hill’s charge arrived at 30-1 in the second, Gareth Wright getting the gelding up on the line to edge out favourite and pacemaker Captain’s Alpha.

Final Attempt was the next favourite to go by the wayside as Donnan took command at the top of the straight under Muzi Yeni and hold off the attentions of the grey Master Sam, Mark Dixon’s yard showing a welcome return to form after a long battle with a virus. Favourite Final Attempt scraped into third to keep the majority of Place Accumulator punters in the hunt.

Red Shift was sent out favourite for the fifth but he was not striding out when the field crossed the line as Euphoric got the better of the well-fancied Collabro.

Bold Beauty, a 22-1 shot, added salt into any punter’s wounds who may still have been running in the exotics. Often a tardy starter, Bold Beauty got way on terms under Mark Khan in the sixth and after a ding-dong battle up the straight eventually got the better of Awesomely Tuned and Josephine Baker in a tight finish. It was a welcome winner for Duncan Howells who has languished in the second box on more occasions than he would care to remember this season.

It took eight races for some relief for favourite backers as Sean Veale got the Dennis Drier-trained Forthelastime home comfortably. Coming from off the pace, the gelding quickened smartly to out-pace Sovereign Solder and South Paw, who turned in an improved performance fitted with blinkers.

The PA payout of R43.30 belied the reality of the day as only a .09 percentage was paid out on the Pick 6.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a nine-race meeting on the straight course and it looks to be competitive racing so the exotics might be the best way to play it.

The Egoli Mile is the headliner and Captain Of Tortuga looks the one to side with. This progressive Captain Al gelding is out of the top-class Ebony Flyer and caught the eye staying on over 1450m last time. He has plenty of scope for improvement. Lumber Jackaroo has caught the eye in both of his starts and including a win over this trip last time and can be a threat off a reasonable 77 merit rating. Indy Ice had some good maiden form and is also a threat with a low weight. Protea Paradise was beaten just a head at level weights by subsequent Cape Derby winner Atyaab over 2000m in December but this might be on the sharp side and he has to carry a big weight. The filly Mazari was not disgraced on Saturday against some good sorts and can earn.

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m the Grade 1 Allan Robertson winner Mighty High is well in at the weights on official merit ratings but might not have it all her own way. She has been touched off in her last two starts over 1160m when having to give lumps of weight away to the promising All At Once but could make amends here. She has pace, a good turn of foot and stays all the way to the line. Palace Chapel was not disgraced in fourth in the CTS 1200 when held up off the pace and running on so has a fine chance of upsetting Might High. In his penultimate start over this course and distance he beat Old Man Thyme, who then franked that form by winning a strong handicap next time out over 1100m. The imposing State Trooper has come into his own and is another who is in with a shout. Anneka is not far off Palace Chapel on Met day times if the weight she is receiving is taken into account. Witch Of The West is also a talented sort and should have benefitted from her last run, although that was over three months ago on November 1 when not far off a very promising sort. Mighty High looks to be a PA banker but there is a lot of talent in that race so going wider would not be foolish.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Flapjack looks to be the best horse in the race and it is just a question of whether he will stay the 2400m trip. His sire Await The Dawn should have given him the necessary stamina genes although he is out of a Jet Master sprinter. He has a good record over 2000m so if ridden patiently from a high draw should get the trip. Born Rich ran well last time over course and distance and being by Noble Tune should be improving. Adolpho has run on well over 1800m in his last two starts and is another in with a shout. French Leave’s best recent run has been over 2000m so he might enjoy a further step up. Smart Deal had fine earlier form over staying trip and last time was just 0,25 lengths behind Born Rich over course and distance.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1000m Sugoi is by the disappointing sire Noordhoek Flyer but is a chip off the old block, being a well-muscled red chestnut and he has also been blessed with the speed of his father so he can make it a third win over this course and distance off a merit rating which still looks competitive. Brigtnumberten had his third run after gelding last time and bounced back to form when beaten 1,40 lengths by Sugoi. He is now 2kg better off and he will be involved off a merit rating which has dropped to an attractive mark. Heavenly Risk should be right there as he has not been disgraced in two Assessment Plates lately and has his third run after a layoff off a competitive handicap mark.

In the sixth race over 1600m, Manitoba looks the one to beat in a competitive handicap. He has been knocking on the door from 1400m to 1600m and now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Divine Connection won his penultimate start comfortably over this trip and although raised six points he caught the eye next time out when staying on over this trip from a wide draw, beaten just 1,4 lengths by Manitoba who was better drawn. Arlington’s Revenge goes for a distance hattrick in ordinary handicaps. His last run in the Gauteng Guineas can be ignored as he was not suited to a pace-making role. Those three should get punters through the exotics.

In the eighth over 1400m, Prince Jordan has the strongest form and relished the step up to this trip last time so is the one to beat off just a two-point higher mark. Cherokee Grey ran well from a tough draw last time and also has a chance on the weight turnaround with Prince Jordan. Street Flyer and Refuge both enjoy the course and distance and should be thereabouts. Wottahottie and Rocky Path are others to consider. The Tin Man probably has the most ability here but is hindered by breathing issues. 

In the last over 1400m, Manhattan Cocktail ran on strongly last time over this trip and if closer to the pace can get it right. Melchizedek has talent but has issues and he is interesting returning from a layoff which would likely have benefitted him. Gone With The Wind, Master Boulder and Savannah King also warrant consideration in a competitive event.     

By David Thiselton

Duncan Howells once had high hopes for Brighteyebushytail, to the extent that he may have been good enough to aim for the Vodacom Durban July. However, a string of injuries and particularly hard hit by the virus that affected the yard last year, all plans were resigned to the dustbin.

It has been slow progress but Brighteyebushytail has shown signs of being back on track at recent outings although he will need to raise his game even further if he is to triumph in the seventh at Greyville today where he is on offer at a tempting 6-1.

He was hard-pressed to beat stable companion Who Says (Mauritius-bound) two runs back and was given a break. In his most recent start, he was running at them late, when third behind Hero Quest.

Winners have been difficult to come-by for the Howells yard this season and although the tally stands at a healthy 29, more telling are the remarkable stats of 40 second places and 35 third placings.

Brighteyebushytail’s last win was over course and distance so if he doesn’t manage to win, he should at least finish second!

He does face a competitive field including recent maiden winner Last Of The Legend, 3-1 favourite in the ante-post market and a smart winner on debut. Sean Tarry has tossed him in at the deep end and although he only has 52kg to shoulder, it remains to be seen whether he can take the rise in class and distance in his stride. Should he manage it he will definitely be a horse for the notebook.

Paul Gadsby’s mare Sarabi (5-2) is at the top of the boards in the card opener but given that the balance of the field is clustered around 5-1 in the market, bookmakers expect more than a few challengers. Missibaba is always game and Louis Goosen, whose yard is in mustard form at present, sends out recent winner Yaas and the speedy Imbali, the latter down four points in the ratings.

Candice Dawson is not a regular off-season raider but saddles Captain’s Alpha (5-2) in the second and has booked Anton Marcus for good measure. If one ignores Captain Alpha’s last two, and there were excuses, he could prove difficult to beat.

Robbie Hill, as a jockey will have ridden more odds-on chances that he would care to remember, but he saddles one in the form of 8-10 favourite Hey Jude in the third. Racing in the colours of former trainer Pat Shaw, who plied his trade in Singapore for many years and trained the now Summerhill-based stallion Ato, was no doubt swayed by Hey Jude’s breeding.

The daughter of Ato is well overdue for a victory and with Marcus staying aboard, she looks the part in the third.

Marcus rides another ante-post favourite in Final Attempt (2-1) in the fourth. Glen Kotzen’s runner has been consistent since shedding his maiden and was close up when taking on much stronger last time out. He looks the part in a weak field. There looks to be little between stable companions L’Histoire and Sharpe’s Eagle. Riding arrangements would indicate that L’Histoire is the pick of the pair but Sharpe’s Eagle looks more progressive.

In the fifth, there was only a neck separating Collabro (7-2) and Red Shift (16-10) when the two last met behind Sea Urchin. This was Collabro’s third run after a break and he could be the more progressive of the two and can turn the tables. Red Shift was the beaten favourite in that race. He is in hot form of late so there should again be very little to choose between the two.

Josephine Baker (15-10) is another due a change of fortune when she lines up in the sixth, a handicap over 2000m. She has not been out of the money since shedding her maiden and was a close-up third against stronger opposition last time out. She should put in a bold showing for Dean Kannemeyer. Shane Humby was content with his two seconds at Scottsville on Sunday, “they did all that was expected of them,” he said yesterday, but a win is better than second and he pins his hopes on the mare Roman Courtesan (28-10) who has her third run since a break and is back over a more suitable trip. Also strongly in the mix is Janice’s Secret (7-2) who was touched off at long odds last time out and has an undeniable chance if she can repeat that showing. This trio look to be the principal contenders.

In the last, the aptly named for this meeting anyway, Forethelastime (22-10), showed up well first run out of the maidens when taking on stronger and is still improving. He does not face a strong field and should make a bold showing. Of the balance, Line Of Control (10-1) found some betting support at his last start and did show improvement while South Paw (10-1) is an old campaigner who has not been far back at recent outings. He tries blinkers for the first time and this equipment sometimes has a sudden rejuvenating effect on older horses.

By Andrew Harrison

Douglas Whyte waved farewell to the most successful race-riding career in Hong Kong history on Sunday evening and fellow legend Felix Coetzee reflected on his prowess.

Coetzee said, “He was an absolute professional and was always looking for a different way to stay ahead. He was very committed, very smart and very competitive and together these made for a formidable combination. He was diligent and revolutionised the standard way of securing rides. Instead of waiting for first entries Douglas would know which horses would be suited to which races and he would then find out from trainers what the programs for the horses were. This required an extreme amount of planning because it must be remembered he had more than one choice, but he was very good at picking. As a rider even before he went to Hong Kong he had an incredible ability to get an excellent position for his mount from any draw. He was a very smart guy and opportunistic and he did his homework, so he would know the horses and riders and how the race would set up. He also had the ability to get horses relaxed and travelling smoothly with a good rhythm and his timing in the finish was brilliant too. If you just look at the last ride of his career on Sunday it is testament to what Douglas is all about. It was an absolute peach of a ride and the horse only lost because it was his first run in Hong Kong and he ran out of fitness.”

Whyte eased the French-bred Uncle Steve back after jumping from the widest draw of 14 in the 1400m event and soon had him relaxed with cover fifth from last. He turned for home on the rail and about three lengths off the lead. After initially being baulked he switched outward and looked a possible winner as he moved through the gap, but the horse then unfortunately ran out of steam and finished a 1,25 length fourth.

Whyte has been granted a Hong Kong trainer’s license and Coetzee believes as one with such high standards of professionalism he will succeed in this tough field too.

Coetzee was asked whether Whyte enjoyed celebrity status around Hong Kong and felt the best way to answer it was through a story about their joint family visit to the local Disneyland. He recounted, “Douglas and I were good friends but only off the course, on course we were professionals. We once took our families on a joint visit to Disneyland in Hong Kong. As is the tradition all the characters like Micky and Minnie Mouse and Goofy etc make an appearance while you are sitting to eat so the kids can pose and get autographs. Our kids were excited and got their autographs. And then Micky Mouse came over an asked Douglas for his autograph! I think that just about sums up the esteem in which he is held!””

Hkjc.com wrote – The 13-time champion jockey’s final ride did not produce the fairy tale victory that he and the Sha Tin faithful desired, but the day delivered heart-warming displays of respect and appreciation for a sportsman whose achievements have lifted him high into the pantheon of racing’s legends.

Whyte retires with a Hong Kong career total of 1,813 wins – 894 more than current champion Zac Purton – total stakes money of HK$1,587,210,086.67, multiple Group 1 scores and, of course, his defining 13 consecutive premierships (2001-2013). His win strike rate over more than 22 years riding at Happy Valley and Sha Tin stands forever at 14.78%.

The man they call the Durban Demon was “overwhelmed” in particular at the send-off he received from his jockeys’ room colleagues, for so long his unwavering rivals.

“Behind the gates (before the last race) it was quite emotional because the starter, Tony (Speechley), said a few words and all the jocks gave me a hip-hip-hooray, so it was a really nice send-off. You get a bit of a lump in your throat but I still had a race to ride,” Whyte said.

Whyte’s blank on his final day was not for the want of trying but did owe something to a stroke of misfortune. Two seconds were his closest placings – Mr Croissant in race two and Seven Heavens in the eighth – but the near-miss came when he rallied the impeded Storm Signal close home in the seventh contest, only to take third.

“I would have won the race,” he said. “That’s the only bittersweet ending to the day. I’d have loved to have had a winner but I’m happy with the way every horse ran and the way I rode every horse.

“I’m leaving on a high but I would have won on Storm Signal. I was just gaining momentum, I was coming to win the race and when you get knocked sideways like that – then the horse on my inside turned my hindquarters and he lost momentum and still picked up.

“Of course, I’m a sportsman,” he added, “you’d love to ride a winner on your last day but the main thing is the fantastic ending, the good reception from the crowd – every horse I thought ran well today.”

Earlier, Whyte received a silver dish and a commissioned painting from the Jockey Club. That came after race four, before a parade ring full of his weighing room colleagues, trainers, media, and family, with a few thousand appreciative spectators looking on.

“That was emotional. Thank goodness they didn’t give me a mic straight away because I wouldn’t have been able to speak. I don’t often cry but possibly I would have,” he said.

Zac Purton had set the tone for the celebrations before Whyte stepped out from the Parade Ring wings. The arch rival went down on one knee and “shoe-shined” the legend’s boots, to the huge delight of watching fans.

By David Thiselton

Oh Susanna has recovered from her injuries in the Sun Met and is back on course for the KZN season but the Horse of the Year’s post-race veterinary report reads like a despatch from the Charge of the Light Brigade – a mouth injury, cuts in her right hind leg and lame as well.

Justin Snaith said: “I think it happened when Do It Again ducked in behind her. We put her on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories that night but on the Monday after the race she could hardly walk.

“However by the end of that week she was OK again and she is now in a paddock with Snowdance. She will go to Durban and we just have to choose which races.”

Glen Kotzen had to abandon Vodacom Durban July ambitions with Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open last season but he is determined to get there this time despite the problems that have arisen in the meantime.

The Woodhill trainer, successful in the July with Big City Life ten years ago, said: “Eyes Wide Open is haemo-concentrating. We got him right before the Met but obviously not right enough. He came with a strong run but then didn’t go through with it.

“It is a lot of work but we will do it for Durban and get him right. Maybe the change of scenery will help as he has done very well up there in the past.”

The four-year-old won the Premiers Champion two seasons ago and from a limited KZN campaign last year he finished third in the Champions Cup.

Vaughan Marshall is to aim his CTS 1600 winner One World at the Winter Guineas at Kenilworth on April 27 while there is a possibility that last season’s Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth could be retired to stud.

Snaith runs three in the opening maiden juvenile at Kenilworth on Saturday with Richard Fourie on Rio Querari. The R625 000 CTS Ready To Run purchase is the first horse the champion trainer has had for former British Racing Journalist of the Year Richard Edmondson and his intrepid Sky News war correspondent wife Alex Crawford. Bryn Ressell and Jill Warner are partners in the colt.

By Michael Clower