Glen Kotzen had a red letter Gold Cup Festival Of Racing weekend and so did his clients Chrigor Stud, whose wonderfully conspicuous colours are becoming a familiar sight in South African racing.

Kotzen sent out four runners over the weekend for the Chrigor Stud operation of Hugo and Suzanne Hattingh and the yellow with royal blue checked diamonds with red sleeves and cap and royal blue diamond found the winner’s enclosure three rimes including in a Grade 1 and a Grade 3.

The Highlands Farm Stud-bred Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open was the headliner as he ran on strongly to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m, thus completing a Festival Grade 1 double for jockey Richard Fourie.

He jumped from draw six and was momentarily caught wide and headstrong around the turn, but Fourie managed to get him tucked in again one wide and he travelled beautifully from then on in. In the straight he moved up under the hands from midfield in the thirteen horse field and then had to be switched outward. Once he saw daylight he wound up into his impressive stride and won going away by half-a-length from Ancestry. He will be a serious classic horse this season and could well follow in the footsteps of the Chrigor Stud part-owned Gold Standard and become a Sun Met contender.

He was bought at the Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale last year and fetched the sale second highest price of R850,000.

Eyes Wide Open (Candiese Marnewick)

He was then sent to Jane Thomas in the KZN Midlands to be spelled before making her way to Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Estate in the Paardeberg near Cape Town.

He showed himself to be smart, “a proper horse”, from day one and was earmarked for the R1 million KZN Yearling Sales race on Vodacom Durban July day, as long as he was ready in time.

However, as it happened he became “shin sore” and was only able to make his debut on June 21 in a 1400m Maiden Juvenile Plate. He stayed on for a respectable third that day.

However, it was his next start that confirmed Kotzen’s belief in the colt as cruised to a 3,5 length victory in a Maiden over 1600m.

“It was his time which was impressive,” said Kotzen. “He ran a quicker time than the MR 82 handicap on the day and it was up with a top division mile time.”

One person who was confident he would win was Anton Marcus. The top jockey, known for his expert analysis of form, phoned for the ride and when Kotzen confirmed his stable jockey Richard Fourie would be aboard Marcus apparently said he would in that case rather watch the race from the stand.

Marcus proved right.

Kotzen had two other runners in the race, Sea King and the Chrigor Stud-owned Pack Leader.

Sea King, formerly owned by Kotzen and his son Kuyan togetrher with T Muthusamy, was bought by Greenstreet Bloodstock before the race and the Judpot colt finished a 1,15 length fifth.

Kotzen said Pack Leader’s rider Craig Zackey had said he might have won the race if a gap had not closed on him at a crucial stage. The Philanthropist colt finished a 1,45 length seventh.

Earlier in the day Varsfontein Stud-bred Chrigor Stud-owned Captain Al filly Princess Peach had won the Grade 3 The Sunlife Vitamins Debutante Stakes over 1200m under Fourie, when seeing off the challenge of the highly regarded Neptune’s Rain.

Princess Peach (Candiese Marnewick)

Kotzen said she was a bit of a quirky filly, “a real madam”. However, this is not unusual for a talented filly.

He added, “She is really smart and came right at the right time. Her pedigree suggests she will want a mile and she has a helluva action, so we will likely go the Guineas route with her.”

Kotzen won the first race of the day, a Maiden Plate over 1000m on the poly with Edith’s Rose, a What A Winter filly ridden by Randolph.

He said, “It was very exciting to provide Morris Ferreira with his 80^th winner on such a big day.” Kotzen also acknowledged the fine work put in by Ferreira’s racing manager Des Goncalves.

He was full of praise for the improving Edith’s Rose and continued, “She won in a fantastic time.” Her chief target will be one of the expensive sales races over 1400m.

Kotzen ended Sunday by pulling off a fine training feat. The six-year-old Greys Inn gelding Gone Baby Gone was off for about a year-and-a-half with injury at one stage and he has brought him back slowly but steadily this year. He won a MR 94 Handicap over 1900 on the polytrack on Sunday under Erico Saziso Ngwane.

On day one of the Festival on Saturday Kotzen won with the speedy Chrigor Stud-owned Gee Whizz, a two-year-old filly by Sail From Seattle who did well to beat older fillies over 1000m in a MR 82 Handicap under Fourie. However, she will now have to go for a wind operation as she has a breathing issue.

Kotzen’s looks to have an exciting classic season ahead of him and his yard look to have a good chance of making a few headlines.

By David Thiselton

It was a great weekend’s racing at Greyville in Durban and one of the highlights was seeing Anthony Delpech receive his memento from Gold Circle for achieving South African Champion Jockey status for the third time. Delpech who is based in KZN will be crowned South African Champion at the upcoming Equus Awards to be held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Tuesday, August 15.

Delpech notched 195 winners with a 22% strike rate and total stakes of R24,5 million at the close of Champions Season on Sunday night. This is something to be very proud of! Greg Cheyne finished second on 151 winners and Gavin Lerena only one winner behind in third. Delpech’s best season was 1998/1999 when he rode 335 winners and is a record that is unlikely to been broken. Amazingly, his best week during that time was when he rode 16 winners!

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Delpech says that there are pro’s and con’s to travelling to chase the title. The pro’s are that you can ride for more than one trainer and various owners and one gets to ride a lot more horses during the week and with that comes more winners. The down side of travelling is that he is unable to ride as much morning work as he would like.

“This is one side of my job that I really enjoy,” he says. Another negative is missing out on family time and having to spend hours to and from the various airports and race courses. Airline food can also become a little tedious. “Sometimes I go for days without seeing my kids,” he says. The champion jockey has absolutely no regrets that he chose to freelance some time ago. He does still ride for his former boss Mike De Kock as he trains a lot of his sponsor’s horses.

Delpech is sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Studs that are owned by mother and daughter Mary and Jessica Slack respectively.

Delpech was fortunate in that he was well supported by riding for the powerful stables of De Kock, Dean Kannemeyer and his sponsors. He was also well supported by others trainers country wide.

Delpech is the complete professional but when asked if he would go for the championship again he hedged his bets. “Not from the beginning of the season, but if I find myself in the top three or four I will push the last three months like I did now. It is too long to push myself from the beginning of the season for a whole year at my age!”

48-year-old Delpech mentioned that the highlight of his season was having two Grade One winners in his first season for his new sponsors.  Bela-Bela and Nightingale are two horses that Delpech has fond memories of this Champions Season. He rates these two mares and says they are a pleasure to ride and full of heart.

By Warren Lenferna

Brett Crawford landed his sixth Grade 1 win of the season on Saturday, the first day of the Gold Cup Festival Of Racing at Greyville,  when Sail South won the Champions Cup over 1800m under Richard Fourie.

National Champion trainer Sean Tarry has landed seven Grade 1s this season, but has had only four individual Grade 1 winners, while Crawford has had five individual Grade 1 winners, Edict Of Nantes, who won two Grade 1s, Whisky Baron, Captain America, Lady Of The House and Sail South. Mike de Kock has had five Grade 1 winners courtesy of five individual Grade 1 winners.

Sail South, a six-year-old gelding, became his late sire Sail From Seattle’s third Grade 1 winner and remarkably the other two, Elusive Gold and Gulf Storm, were also trained by Crawford.

Sail South has always had a lot of class, but has had a tendency to over race.

The key to his victory on Saturday was the good pace of the race set by his stabalemate Captain America. Captain America jumped quite well, but was momentarily squeezed between Bela-Bela and Marinaresco, having jumped from the second widest draw of all in the ten horse field. He found himself out wide as they reached the first turn. Meanwhile, Sail South, who had jumped from draw seven, had gone around them and was in the lead quite soon into the turn. However, he then began over racing a touch as he waited for Captain America to slot in front of him. Once Captain America had found the rail he was given a breather, but then began stretching out with his big stride. The fast fractions suited Sail South down to the ground as he was also able to use his stride. Captain America kicked away at the top of the straight and made a bold bid to hold on. However, his early exertions soon took their toll and Sail South draw level at the 200m mark and was still full of running. He went on to beat him by 1,25 lengths and returned odds of 17/1 compared to Captain America’s 4/1 price.

The relatively unexposed Tarry-trained three-year-old gelding Matador Man showed how good he was by storming home from second last in the running to finish a 2,25 length third at odds of 15/1.

Bela-Bela started 26/10 favourite, but was held up on the false rail behind her stablemate It’s My Turn. By the time she began her chase down the inside it was clear she was going to battle to make up the leeway against the superbly conditioned Crawford pair, who both had the advantage of coming into the race relatively fresh. However, in her swansong she still managed a respectable 2,75 length fourth.

The July winner Marinaresco understandably found the race a bridge too far after a tough season and made little impact from last place before being nursed home to finish second last.

Ten Gun Salute, from third in the running, held on for the fifth place cheque ahead of Table Bay.

It was another magnificent training feat by Crawford and the time said it all. The 108,28 seconds was more than four seconds faster than last year’s renewal and close to three second faster than the previous year’s. However, it was not as quick as the 107,38 seconds of 2014 and there is little coincidence that the winner of that race, Futura, was also trained by Crawford. Crawford also won the race in 2013 with Jackson.

Sail South began showing his true class when getting a fast pace over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day last year in the Listed Daisy Business Solutions Handicap. He destroyed them by five lengths that day despite carrying topweight of 61kg off a 104 merit rating.

He got another good pace in his second run of the season over 1400m in a Pinnacle Stakes race and he cruised in by 3,5 lengths. That race was also the beginiing of his successful partnership with Richard Fourie.

However, his transformation into a genuine Grade 1 performer came when he was held up for the first time by Fourie in the LÓrmarin’s Queen’s Plate. He over raced at the back yet still managed to fly up for third behind Legal Eagle and Captain America.

The same tactic was used in the Grade 1 Rising un Gold Challenge and after over racing again, he flew from a hopeless position for fourth.

Saturday was the first time he had gone beyond a mile and the remarkable bay proved his class again. His Northfields dam did win over 2400m. Sail South was bred by Mr and Mrs GN Potts and is part-owned by them together with GJ Dempsey.

by David Thiselton

The Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m is always one of the trickiest races on Gold Cup day as the form is relatively unexposed and the young fillies improve at different rates.

Desert Rhythm is the favourite having won the Grade 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper over 1400m, despite the race not panning out perfectly for her. She was caught one wide in a handy position and shifted outward at the top of the straight, so she did well to still find an extra gear to win. On pedigree and on that performance this Mambo In Seattle filly should enjoy the trip and has a fair draw.

Desert Rythym (Nkosi Hlophe)

The classy and unbeaten Dynasty filly Lady In Black had to overcome a wide draw last time over 1400m on the poly and didn’t have cover in her handy position, so did well to find extra in the straight before pulling away in the closing stages. She beat the Listed Devon Air Stakes runner up Sequined cosily by 1,75 lengths. On that showing and on pedigree she will love the step up in trip, but on the downside she has a wide draw to overcome.

Folk Dance is unbeaten in three starts from 1200-1450m on the Highveld and last time she beat the promising and previously unbeaten Aurelia Cotta. Her form compares favourably with Desert Rhythm’s. She has drawn very wide, but Anton Marcus aboard is a bonus.

Meryl ran on well from way back to win the Devon Air Stakes over 1400m and the form compares favourably with the Golden Slipper form. She is drawn wide but Anthony Delpech stays aboard.

Holly Vision went handy from a wide draw in the Devon Air and stayed on well for third and was rallying at the line. She has a plum draw.

Rockin Russian stayed on well for fourth in both the Devon Air and Golden Slipper and on those showings this Seventh Rocky filly should handle this trip, so she should be right there from a good draw.

Anton Marcus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Flichity By Farr had to be pushed all the way last time over course and distance in a Maiden Juvenile Plate, but produced a strong finish and the form has worked out quite well.

Too Phat Too Fly represents some strong Cape form and is a definite contender although her eight draw is tricky.

Illegal finished just two lengths behind Golden Slipper runner up Let It Flow over 1200m on debut and was then an impressive winner over 1160m. She is a half-sister to Silver Class, whose best trip is 1400m, but she covers a lot of ground.

Mara had the run of the race in the Golden Slipper, but was already beaten when baulked late, although she did rally and could have got closer, so she can’t be ignored.

Frederico’s Dream beat Illegal by 1,8 lengths when making her debut over 1200m and won next time over the same trip. She looks held by Folk Dance on strict subsequent formlines, but she is one of the dark horses as one who is likely to relish the step up in trip and she is well drawn under Piere Strydom.

Just My Style has a nice stride, but her form is questionable.

Sorceress beat an uninspiring maiden field cosily second time out when stepped up to 1400m.

Le Bella Mia has good sprint form, but over raced in front when stepped up to 1300m in the KZN Sales Million.

The selection is Desert Rhythm to beat Lady In Black. The well drawn pair Frederico’s Dream and Holly Vision should relish the step up in trip and are chosen to follow them home. However, it is especially hard to ignore Folk Dance and Meryl, while Too Phat To Fly and Rockin Russian also stick in the mind, while Illegal, who is not the biggest filly but covers plenty of ground, and Flichity by Farr, who has the potential to shine if less reluctant in the running, are dark horses who also make some appeal in a typically tough-to-analyse Thekwini.

By David Thiselton

The Pick 6, Jackpot and PA will be popular on the Gold Cup Festival Of Racing weekend and on day one those who do their homework should reap healthy dividends.

Captain America (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Grade 1 WSB Champions Cup over 1800m yields a possible Pick 6 banker in Captain America. He has the advantage of coming in fresh and it is his third place finish in this year’s very strong Grade 1 Sun Met over 2000m which puts him a cut above the rest of the field. He proved this point by winning the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge when going handy off a strong pace and kicking away. He has the identical draw of ten in this race. Bela-Bela was a touch unlucky in the Gold Challenge and could have got closer than a 1,75 length third, but a mile is probably her best trip. However, she has won two Grade 1s from 1800-2000m and from draw eight will make her presence felt in her swansong. Marinaresco proved in the Vodacom Durban July there is only one way for him to race and that is to be held up, so he will be hoping for a decent pace in the defence of his crown.

Those three are the fancies for the exotics, but some will choose to go wider. Sail South could win a Grade 1 if he ever settled as he over races in all of his runs yet still placed in both the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and Gold Challenge. This trip probably stretches him due to his pulling antic, but he was flying from last under Richard Fourie in both of the aforementioned Grade 1s and this is the first time he has tried further than a mile. This race often favours fresh horses so the highly regarded Table Bay has to be considered too. His mile form now looks excellent and although he has to prove he stays further he will be out to prove a point having been left out of the Gold Challenge field. The Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Deo Juvente comes in fresh too. It’s MY Turn has a tough task on paper, but this is his third run of the SA Champions Season and he could be a dark horse. Matador Man is talented and relatively unexposed and is another outsider who could surprise.

In the first leg of the PA the two-year-old Touch Of Magic looks very classy and could make it two wins from two. The back up is Chamber Maid, who is suited to this trip and is well drawn.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m is a tough race, but the two-year-old Ishnana has excellent cruising speed and is selected. He will hopefully jump better than he did last time. Lil Red Rooster should go close from a good draw and Bonnie Dawn can feature if having more luck than last time. Varbration is knocking on the door, Cathedral County should have benefitted from his last run, Swakopmund and Gee Whizz have exceptional early pace and Surf’s Up won well last time, so it is an ultra tough leg.

Nebula (Nkosi Hlope)

It doesn’t get easier in the Listed Umngeni over the same trip, although Lloyd’s Legacy reproduced his “unbelievable” homework on the course last time when a cornell collar was introduced, so he can follow up from pole position in a race with a lot of pace in it. Hashtag Strat has high cruising speed and should be right there and of the closers Rodney is the choice for third ahead of Attenborough and Isca.

The Listed Darley Arabian over 1600m is also competitive but MacDuff and Nebula are the stand outs.

The fifth leg of the Pick 6 is the Grade 3 Gold Bracelet over 2000m and Nightingale is the class act having finished tie fourth in the July. However, Star Express is weighted to reverse form with her from both the Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Majorca over 1600m and she has a plum draw. Bella Sonata is the best weighted horse on official merit ratings. Premier Dance and Captain Gambler could be threats too.

The last leg is tough because most of the fancied horses are drawn wide. Kapen Pride is a Silvano half-brother to Bulleting Home and is crying out for this trip, but his wide draw is a concern as he was a bit keen early last time. Brighteyebushytail, a Dynasty full brother to a horse who won third time out over 2000m, will relish the step up in trip and is well drawn and Storm Ruler, Lucky At Last, Roy’s Kaitrina and Eccelerate have to be considered too.

By David Thiselton