David Thiselton

Luke Ferraris is within grasping distance of getting a berth in the world’s most famous jockeys competition, the International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley, which will take place on December 10.

The three berths given to locally based jockeys are for champion jockey, leading jockey of the current season and leading homegrown jockey.

Zac Purton is well clear in the current championship, but had already earned a berth as champion jockey, so the berth for leading jockey goes to the second-placed jockey.

The contenders are Ferraris, who is in second place with 15 wins, Bowman who is on 14 wins, Alexis Badel on 12 wins and Lyle Hewitson and Karis Teetan who are both on elevens wins.

The Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday (26 November) is the last meeting which counts towards the choice of local IJC riders.

Hewitson won the last race at Sha Tin on Sunday to give himself a mathematical chance of still winning a berth, although it is highly unlikely he will do so and it looks to be a straight fight between Ferraris and Bowman.

The fight for a place among the homegrown jockeys has also developed into a two horse race after Vincent Ho and Jerry Chau both struck at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ho leads Chau with 11 wins to 10.

Ho is the only homegrown jockey to have ever won the IJC, winning it in 2023 and earning the fist prize of HK$600,000.

Gavin Lerena was the last South African to have won the IJC in 2015. He won the last two races of the four-race competition that year.

Douglas Whyte has also been a previous winner of the challenge.

The ten jockeys who are already in the IJ are Zac Purton, defending champion Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Joao Moreira, William Buick and Ryan Moore (subject to fitness).

Meanwhile, the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising extended his unbeaten run to 15 races on Sunday at Sha Tin when romping home in the HK$5.35 million Gr 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m.

He obliterated nine rivals in clocking the second-fastest time in history over 1200m at Sha Tin, 1m 07.33s, marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s, despite being eased down over the last 100m by jockey Zac Purton.

Conceding five pounds to the rest of the field, the world’s highest-rated sprinter jumped cleanly to lead from barrier ten before settling in second place behind Beauty Waves and, such was his superiority, Purton said the tempo was still not fast enough, despite a blistering sectional of 21.93s from the 800m to the 400m.

Purton quickly put the issue beyond doubt on straightening as Ka Ying Rising surged clear inside the last 200m before being allowed to saunter to the line.

The winning margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths flattered runner-up Fast Network (123lb) with Helios Express third, a further length-and-three-quarters away.

Ka Ying Rising’s 15th consecutive win leaves him third overall for the most wins in a row by a Hong Kong-trained horse behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16).

The world’s highest earning racehorse in history, Romantic Warrior, made his comeback from a layoff at the same meeting on Sunday.

Resuming after 232 days between races after surgery to his left fore fetlock, Romantic Warrior lifted his world record earnings to HK$217.7 million as he became the first horse to win a third Gr 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup after victories in 2022 and 2024.

Andrew Harrison

Summer rains have struck again with Hollywoodbets Greyville recording over 40mm on Sunday. With  further rain expected yesterday and today the meeting has been switched to the poly track where punters face a super competitive card where some serious homework could pay handsome dividends.

It all starts in the first where Sword Speed started at long odds on debut and was narrowly beaten. He needs to build on that showing but he has the best of the draw and can go one better. Christmas Cactus has shown up well in two outings and the experience should hold him in good stead to get one over Sword Speed. Red Cardinal has shown some ability and had to negotiate a wide draw last time. He has a better gate here.

In the second, Ice Rain touched off subsequent Paul Lafferty-trained winner Alannah at her last start and only got a two-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. But Lafferty saddles the consistent Forward Motion who has been in mustard form of late. Ice Rain’s last two wins have been on the poly and she is comfortable over the trip, so the surface switch is in her favour. Gimmefabulous is the dark horse. She was not far back in her first run back from a long break and that was in top company last run. She has a big weight but can progress enough to be a serious contender.

 In the first leg of the Pick 6 Rooster Bradshaw is up in class but takes a corresponding drop in the weights. He goes well over course and stance and he shed his maiden on the poly for Duncan Howells. Nathan Kotzen’s runner Rollo The Viking does appear to be best on the poly and beat a smart filly last time out and can follow up. Claw has a difficult gate to negotiate but has been in good form since his arrival in KZN and met a lot stronger last time out while Isivinane  showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and the stable is starting to find form.

The fourth is wide open and it could pay to go wide in the exotics. Slytherin appeared to be the best of the Alyson Wright pair given the rider bookings but has since been scratched so the onus is on Professor Lupin who was touched off at long odds last time out but this trip could be out of his compass even given his light weight. Sun Dazed was a beaten favourite on his local debut and first up on the poly but is seldom far back. Queen Of Pearls takes on males and never showed in her first run out of the maidens. However, she has a handy weight from the best of the draw and is sure to improve. Roy Taking Off is way better than her last effort and has a handy weight with an experienced apprentice aboard.

Cowboy Country was withdrawn from his intended last outing by Tony Rivalland when the meeting was switched to the poly but was still a runner at time of writing. He shed his maiden in fine style in soft ground and was well supported in the betting. He does have a tricky draw but looks progressive. Circumbendibus will be a threat as he has not put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. He ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and should feature again.

Nicolette Roscoe does a brilliant job for Dean Kannemeyer as his Summerveld assistant. Bella Valentina was disappointing in her handicap debut on the poly but has a good draw and an extra furlong could see her make the required improvement for a stable in very good form. Gareth van Zyl holds strong cards with Grand Occasion and Rani Tababai. The latter finished just over two lengths behind her stable companion and is now 1kg better off. However, she does have a wider draw and Grand Occasion is on a roll. Radu has a difficult draw but has been in solid form over the distance and a light weight will count in her favour.

Mark Dixon enjoyed a profitable day last Tuesday and he has another solid chance with Jazz Festival in the seventh. He has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing and with a good draw he should be competitive in another tricky affair. Querari’s Dream is a likely threat after showing up well at his last two. He goes well this trip and the stable is in good form. Gotta Go Eddie was game when holding off outsider Red Mountain  last time out who improved back in blinkers. The latter is 2kg worse of in the handicap so Gotta Go Eddie should still be ahead.

The last is another puzzle for punters but Stampede Ahead is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten on her local debut. She does not have the best of draws but Adam Azzie could celebrate his first winner since relocation from the Highveld. Cali Bullet improved nicely from a difficult draw at only her second start. She has a much better gate here and rates a winning chance. Echo is never far back and should be in the mix come the line. Roy’s Grace looks a threat as she has come on nicely at her last two and the 4kg claim will enhance her chances.

2 SWORD SPEED   5 CHRISTMAS CACTUS   13 DOUBLE CAUSEWAY   4 RED CARDINAL

Summary: SWORD SPEED (2) started at long odds on debut and was narrowly beaten. He has the best of the draw and can go one better. CHRISTMAS CACTUS (5) has shown up well in two outings and the experience should hold him in good stead. DOUBLE CAUSEWAY (13) has a difficult gate but was not far back on debut and can feature. RED CARDINAL (4) has shown some ability and had to negotiate a wide draw last time out. He has a better gate here. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-13-4).

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6 FORWARD MOTION   4 ICE RAIN   5 GIMMEFABULOUS   1 JEANNE DARC

Summary: ICE RAIN (4) touched off subsequent Paul Lafferty-trained winner Alannah at her last start She only got a two-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. Lafferty saddles the consistent FORWARD MOTION (6) who has been in mustard form of late. Ice Rain’s last two wins have been on the poly but she is comfortable over the trip. GIMMEFABULOUS (5) was not far back in her first run back from a long break. She was in top company last run and has a big weight but can progress enough to be a serious contender. JEANNE DARC (1) has the best of the draw and never far back. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-1).

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2 ROOSTER BRADSHAW   6 ROLLO THE VIKING   10 CLAW   3 ISIVIANE

Summary: ROOSTER BRADSHAW (2) is up in class but takes a corresponding drop in the weights. He goes well over course and stance and should be competitive. ROLLO THE VIKING (6) does appear to be best on the poly but beat a smart filly last time out and can follow up. CLAW (10) has a difficult gate to negotiate but has been in good form since his arrival in KZN and met a lot stronger last time out. ISIVIVANE (3) showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and the stable is starting to find form. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-1-3).

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2 SLYTHERIN   8 SUN DAZED   3 ROY TAKING OFF   1 QUEEN OF PEARLS

Summary: Wide open and it should pay to go wide in the exotics. SLYTHERIN (2) appears to be the best of the Alyson Wright pair given the rider bookings but PROFESSOR LUPIN (6) was touched off at long odds last time out but this trip could be out of his compass even given his light weight. SUN DAZED (8) was a beaten favourite on his local debut and first up on the poly. He is seldom far back. QUEEN OF PEARLS (1) takes on males and never showed in her first run out of the maidens. However, she has a handy weight from the best of the draw and is sure to improve. ROY TAKING OFF (3) is way better than her last effort and has a handy weight with an experienced apprentice aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-3-1).

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8 COWBOY COUNTRY   5 CIRCUMBENDIBUS    6 SIGN OF FATE   4 BEAMONESQUE

Summary: COWBOY COUNTRY (8) was withdrawn from his intended last outing on the poly. He shed his maiden in fine style in soft ground and was well supported in the betting. He does have a tricky draw but looks progressive. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (5) has not put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. He ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and should feature again. SIGN OF FATE (6) has been trying much further of late but never far back. She takes a big drop in trip but gets first time blinkers and is one to watch. BEAMONESQUE (4) showed up well first up on the poly after showing some fair Highveld form and should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-6-4).

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6 BELLA VALENTINA   3 GRAND OCCASIONB   9 RANI TARABAI   10 RADU

Summary: BELLA VALENTINA (6) was disappointing in her handicap debut but that was on the poly. The switch to turf from a good draw and an extra furlong could see her make the required improvement for a stable in very good form. Gareth van Zyl holds strong cards with GRAND OCCASION (3) and RANI TABABAI (9). The latter finished just over two lengths behind her stable companion and is now 1kg better off. However, she does have a wider draw and Grand Occasion is on a roll. RADU (10) has a difficult draw but has been in solid form over the distance and a light weight will count in her favour. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-9-10).

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4 JAZZ FESTIVAL   7 QUERARI’S DREAM   3 GOTTA GO EDDIE   5 RED MOUNTAIN

Summary: JAZZ FESTIVAL (4) has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing. He has a good draw and should be competitive in another competitive affair. QUERARI’S DREAM (7) has shown up well at his last two. And goes well this trip. The stable is in good form and he should be competitive again. GOTTA GO EDDIE (3) was game when holding off outsider RED MOUNTAIN (5) last time out who improved back in blinkers. The latter is 2kg worse of in the handicap so Gotta Go Eddie should still be ahead. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-3-5).

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9 STAMPEDE AHEAD   4 CALI BULLET   7 ECHO   6 ROY’S GRACE

Summary: STAMPEDE AHEAD (9) is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten on her local debut. She does not have the best of draws but Adam Azzie could celebrate his first winner since relocation from the Highveld. CALI BULLET (4) improved nicely from a difficult draw at only her second start. She has a much better gate here and rates a winning chance. ECHO (7) is never far back and should be in the mix come the line. ROY’S GACE (6) looks a threat as she has come on nicely at her last two and the 4kg claim will enhance her chances. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-7-6).

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Please note: Hollywoodbets Greyville has received over 40mm of rain. With additional rainfall forecast later in the week, a decision has been taken to switch tomorrow’s meeting 25 November to the Polytrack. Race times remain as carded.

 

David Thiselton

The Glen Kotzen-trained Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You passed his stamina acid test at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday by winning the Gr 2 Race Coast Cape Punters Cup over 1600m despite giving 2kg to the rest of the field, although he had to survive an objection from runner up Randolph Hearst’s trainer and he also caused interference to eventual fourth-placed Happy Verse.

Good For You is now third favourite for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at 8/1 with the sponsor behind Gimmie Rules at 5/2 and Jan Van Goyen at 5/1.

Good For You broke well on Saturday and used his natural speed to claim the rail from draw two and he then dictated the pace. He switched towards the centre in the straight off a narrow 1,5m false rail and kept on going well. The challengers on the inside, Star Major, Absolutely Yes and Fox On The Run, made little impression, while Happy Verse had been caught wide throughout which blunted his finish on the outside. Pay The Palace, who had sat behind Happy Verse out wide in the running, came through the centre with a strong finish, although none were finishing stronger than Randolph Hearst, who had come from last.

Good For You shifted inward after taking the lead and this caused Chad Little to change whiphands, because he was not clear of Pay The Palace, who had a rails run.

After he had changed whiphands, and used the whip, Good For You began to hang outwards.

This caused Happy Verse to be squeezed out between Good For You and the fast-finishing Randolph Hearst, who was on the outside of runners.

Happy Verse was just behind Pay The Palace at the time of the incident but was plugging on, so was still in contention for third place.

Thereafter, Good For made contact with Randolph Hearst, who had looked the winner as he was sweeping past runners with big strides.

Good For You just held on by the shortest of short-heads, but Justin Snaith lodged an objection on behalf of Randolph Hearst.

Before going into the details of the objection it should be said that Star Major held on for fifth place, beaten 2,45 lengths, with his possible excuse being that he had to be used up early to overcome a wide draw before slotting into second place in the running behind Good For You.

Better Man stayed on from the back for a 2,85 length sixth, but he could not match Randolph Hearst’s acceleration and looks to be more of a Derby type.

Aristocratic got the rail from draw six which was unfortunate in the end because he was stuck behind the slowing horses on the inside. It looked as if he was never able to fully unwind, so he should not be written off for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, which will presumably have a wider false rail in place.

The stipendiary report gives insight into the decision to overrule the objection, with one crucial point being that he severe bump happened after the line according to their judgement.

It is a decision that will be debated, but one thing that is without doubt is that Good For You was the deserved winner, because he was carrying 2kg more than the rest of the field and still crossed the line first.

The stipendiary steward reports on the objection said, “In the latter stages, GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) shifted out away from the crop which resulted in HAPPY VERSE (A Domeyer) having to check and losing position. Thereafter, GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) continued to shift out and made contact with RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) shortly before the finish. GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) and RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) then came together and bumped heavily after the finish line. The Stewards called for a race review after which Trainer SJ Snaith lodged an objection on behalf of the 2nd placed horse RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) against the 1st-placed horse GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) on behalf of interference in the latter stages. The Objection Board, after giving regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and taking into account the proximity to the finish line, could not be satisfied that RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) would have finished ahead of GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) had this incident not occurred and therefore overruled the Objection. Trainer SJ Snaith’s deposit was refunded. Jockey C Little was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that as the rider of GOOD FOR YOU, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to HAPPY VERSE in the latter stages. Jockey C Little signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 10 days. (Dates: 30 November 2025 to 10 December 2025, excluding 6 December 2025)”

Bred by Oldlands Stud, Good For You is by Legislate (Dynasty), who won this race eleven years, out of the Indigo Magic two-time winner, Slightly Blonde.

The winner, a R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, has now won 3 races with 7 places from 10 starts and stakes of R1 523 163.

Earlier, Dean Kannemeyer, trainer of Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince, looks to have another top sprinter on his hands in the form of Gimmethegreenlight colt Green Gateway, who came from last under Craig Zackey in the Listed Sophomore Sprint over 1200m to win by a neck from Roland Garros. The favourite All The Rage moved up well but was beaten 1,20 lengths into third in the end, although he was giving 2kg to the winner.

The Justin Snaith-trained Double Grand Slam was the meeting banker and duly obliged under Andrew Fortune, winning the Non-Black Type Summer Bowl over 1600m by a head.

Snaith scored a five-timer, whilst JP van der Merwe had four winners.

Andrew Fortune an Vaughan Marshall both scored doubles.