David Thiselton

The Justin Snaith-trained WSB Met winner Double Superlative might well be making an audacious attempt to become only the eighth horse in history to have won both the Met and the July.

It was generally believed the five-year-old Twice Over entire had been retired to stud but his owner, Durban-based businessman and prolifically successful racehorse owner Nick Jonsson, has revealed otherwise.

Jonsson said, “We were thinking of sending him to stud and there wasn’t really enough support to get me excited about it. So, he is sound and he had a bit of a break after the Met and Justin put him back in training and we thought, ‘Let’s have a go.’ He is a fantastic horse. He is only lightly raced, he’s only had 13 starts and is a five-year-old, nearly six. He is enjoying his racing too and is in a good space.”

Double Superlative is entered in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, but is likely to avoid it in favour of running in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on June 15.

Jonsson said, “He is ready for the Gold Challenge, but we’re not sure we’re going to run him there. We’ve entered him just in case we change our minds. We’ve entered him in a Pinnacle for the 15th, which we think is a better race for him, and then he’ll run in the July.”

Jonathan Snaith, who plays a big role in Snaith Racing’s success, said, “Double Superlative is particularly well. He loves his training and his racing and is such a happy horse right now. Depending on his performance and fitness level, the connections will make a decision either on the Hollywoodbets Durban July or the Champions Cup.”

Jonsson confirmed this outlook by saying, “He is in a good space but of course he hasn’t run since the Met, he’s got to have a warm up, let’s see how he goes.”

However, he is clearly keen to run him in the big one to the extent he has even contacted his Met rider Daniel Muscutt to take the ride. The response from the latter was positive.

Jonsson continued, “He is obviously well weighted in the July. He will get 4kg from See It Again and as things stand he will only be giving Green With Envy half-a-kilogram. So he’s in a good place in the weights if he runs, but that’s our plan, to run him in the July.” 

Jonsson concluded, “We will supplement when we want to, their is no big rush. I think he is obviously a big runner at that weight if he runs, and at this stage we plan to run him, and I have got Daniel Muscutt to ride him. He’s going to come out and ride him and let’s see if we can do the double.”

The seven horses to date to have won both the Met and the July have been Hussein in the 1920s, Yataghan and Politician in the 1970s, London News in the 1990s, Pocket Power in the first decade of the millennium, Igugu in the second decade of this millenium and Kommetdieding this decade.

Jonsson will be out to win his third July and have his second individual July winner.

His first July winner was the dual July-winning legend Do It Again, who is by the unfashionable sire Twice Over.

Having failed narrowly to win the big race last year with Twice Over colt See It Again, Jonsson will soon have six July entries this year, See It Again, Double Superlative, Mucho Dinero, Triple Time, Without Question and Hluhluwe.  

Amazingly the first four of those mentioned above are all by Twice Over. Nick Jonsson is obviously not among the many who have snubbed Twice Over. 

See It Again and Double Superlative will both have massive chances and Mucho Dinero could also be a sneaker if bouncing back to his best.

RACE 1     

1 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 5 SIMPLY MAJESTIC 3 GORGEOUS KLEIN 2 DANTONFROMSANDTON  ( 1-5-3-2)

Preview: 1 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is very quick and thus well suited to this fast course and distance. 5 SIMPLY MAJESTIC has some class and should go close. 3 GORGEOUS KLEIN has some eye-catching formlines and should be right there. 2 DANTONFROMSANDTON has been a touch disappointing in  his last two but has beaten Simply Majestic over this trip before on only 1kg worse terms than here. ( David Thiselton 1-5-3-2)

RACE 2     

4 PANNING GOLD 2 ZIP CODE 5 QUEEN OF FIRE 1 MOONLIGHT TRADER

Preview: 4 PANNING GOLD has run two fine races since stepped up to 1600m and is the one to beat. 2 ZIP CODE won well over 1400m and should enjoy this step up in trip. 5 QUEEN OF FIRE wasn’t disgraced last time but does have a tricky draw. 1 MOONLIGHT TRADER has disappointed in his last two but is capable of better. (David Thiselton 4-2-5-1)

RACE 3     

7 FINAL TRY 1 ROSSORE FINALE 4 ORANJEMUND 3 PIKE PLACE

Preview: 7 FINAL TRY has faced strong fields in his last two without being disgraced and should relish the step up in trip so can go close from pole position. 1 ROSSORE FINALE has been knocking on the door and should go close. 4 ORANJEMUND is by Querari out of a Cape Cross mare. 3 PIKE PLACE has come ability and can earn. (David Thiselton 7-1-4-3)

RACE 4     

6 LIKE A BUTTERFLY 1 KYLIE’S ANGEL 2 RAINBOW RIVER 10 QUEEN OF LOVE

Preview: 6 LIKE A BUTTERFLY was a touch unlucky last time and is improving. 1 KYLIE’S ANGEL is knocking hard and is well drawn over a suitable trip. 2 RAINBOW RIVER has the form to go close over an ideal trip but she does have a wide draw. 10 QUEEN OF LOVE can be a contender if able to reproduce her first start over this trip, although she does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 6-1-2-10) 

RACE 5     

3 BIOFARMER 2 RICHARD THE FIRST 4 THE AFRICA HOUSE 1 WYZEACT

Preview: 3 BIOFARMER has class and is distance suited and goes well for Piere Strydom. 2 RICHARD THE FIRST is on the up and a tricky draw is the main concern. 4 THE AFRICA HOUSE is the best weighted but although always thereabouts he has disappointed before and seems to take a while to get going. 1 WYZEACT is capable over this trip and has a middle draw. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-1)

RACE 6     

3 DREAMLAND 5 RAINBOW REWARD 1 ICE STAR 4 BEAMONESQUE

Preview: 3 DREAMLAND can use his fine pace to overcome a low draw and can use his good kick to draw clear. 5 RAINBOW REWARD is 2kg better off with Dreamland for a one length beating. 1 ICE STAR is consistent and should be thereabouts. 4 BEAMONESQUE has shown lots of ability before and should have come on from his last run. (David Thiselton 3-5-1-4)

RACE 7     

4 THE BRIEF 7 MASTER ARIANO 5 TOTAL SURRENDER 1 GEORGE HANDEL

Preview: 4 THE BRIEF went close over 1800m last time and has a good draw. 7 MASTER ARIANO is progressive and goes for a hattrick over a trip he should like. 5 TOTAL SURRENDER is in good form and is distance suited and has a fair draw. 1 GEORGE HANDEL has ability and from a good draw can make his presence felt over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton 4-7-5-1)

RACE 8     

4 GIMMEALIGHT 1 CHAMPION WARRIOR 2 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 3 CELTIC RUSH

Preview: 4 GIMMEALIGHT is off a competitive mark but does have a tricky draw over this suitable trip. 1 CHAMPION WARRIOR has fallen to a competitive mark considering the class he showed early in his career and will be right there if able to overcome a tough draw. 2 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE has ability and is consistent and has a fair draw. 3 CELTIC RUSH won well last time and could be coming into his own. (David Thiselton 4-1-2-3) 

Rugby 8 Win Margin on Saturday, 1 June 2024 C/Over R 72 876, Sport 65 Pool 1, Pool Closes at 13h45

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 1st June 2024 C/Over R 150 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 400 000

David Thiselton

Deryl Daniels is not getting many opportunities in South Africa but on Saturday once again displayed what he can do when given a chance by riding the Erupt gelding Buster Barnes to Zimbabwe Triple Crown glory at Borrowdale.

Daniels rode the Debra Swanson-trained gelding in all three legs, which are all Gr 3s, winning the Zimbabwe Guineas by five lengths, the  Island Farewell Zimbabwe 2000 by two lengths and Saturday’s Coca Cola Zimbabwe Derby by ten lengths.

Deryl said, “Buster Barnes was my first winner after I had started riding again. I was aboard for his debut which he won by ten lengths. He was bought over here at the BSA August two-year-old sale for R200,000 with the idea of winning the Triple Crown and it has worked out nicely. He is a decent little horse. He is still very immature, still very soft and will be an even better horse next year.” 

Buster Barnes was an astute purchase.

He has a speedy female line with his Caesour dam Swervilia winning five times from 1000m to 1200m, including a Listed win and a Gr 2 second, while his second dam Lady Celeste (Amour Da Fleuve (USA)) won five times from 1000m to 1400m, including the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes.

However, the Dubawi stallion Erupt won two Gr 1s over the Derby distance of a mile-and-a-half, so was going to impart the stamina.

Daniels was content to sit last early, about six lengths off the lead.

He moved into fifth place about a quarter of the way through the contest and into fourth place by the 1000m mark, still traveling sweetly.

Pair Of Aces had opened up a big lead, but when they turned for home Buster Barnes made up the ground effortlessly and was being eased up when winning by ten lengths from stablemate Follow The Band.

Deryl has now been left with a dilemma.

He rode the Swanson-trained Master Of My Fate gelding Majestic Warrior in the following race, Zimbabwe’s biggest horse race, the R900,000 Gr 1 Castle Tankard over 2000m, and finished a three length second to the Bridget Stidolph-trained Raffles, who was ridden by Gavin Lerena. 

He now has to choose between Buster Barnes and Majestic Warrior for the Gr 1 OK Grand Challenge over 1800m on June 8, which carries a purse of R1.8 million.

He said, “It’s a nice predicament to be in. I will probably end up on  Buster Barnes. Jackie and Duncan Cocksedge are like my adopted grandparents over there, I stay with them and ride their horses, and they own Majestic Warrior and have shares in Buster Barnes so won’t mind either way.”

Buster Barnes is owned by the Centaur Syndicate, whose chairman is C John Smith.

Smith said, “The Triple Crown has only been won about seven times in the history of the Zim. I and some good pals were very pleased and proud to win the big handicap, the 2023 Castle Tankard with Ideal View, but elusive Triple Crowns still remain our chief goal. And the current season has filled Centaur with much pleasure – no more so than when Buster Barnes cruised through to win the Zimbabwe Derby. To buy a yearling or two-year-old, bring it through the months soundly to the three different races of the Triple Crown is not easy. Not only does the horse have to be exceptional, but so too does the trainer. As for the jockey, he needs to ride his races in three different ways and be able to go to plan B with ease. What does surprise me a quite a lot is that the jockey we chose to ride Buster Barnes is not better supported in South Africa. I know there was a period when Deryl Daniels was not riding and for a variety of reasons but he is back now – in full command of himself and I am impressed. His style, his balance, his calmness and his overall riding skills are there in abundance – and he can ride at 53kg. Here is a jockey SA trainers should be using a lot more – but not until Buster Barnes retires!”   

Deryl shares the Swanson stable rides with Jeffery Syster, with himself tending to get the heavyweight rides and Jeffery the lightweights.

Well known jockeys agent George “Titch” Croucher approached Deryl when a jockey was needed for the Republic Cup in July last year. He accepted and on that day ran second on 2023 Castle Tankard winner Ideal View and also rode Buster Barnes to victory on debut.

He said, “From there it took off. It has been a wonderful blessing and I really enjoy going there.”

Deryl is not only full of praise for the “nice people” of Zimbabwean racing, but also regards Borrowdale as probably the best racetrack he has ridden on in Southern Africa.

He said, “It is probably the fairest and nicest track I have ridden on. Most giving, most fair, it has everything … beautiful track.”   

Just watching racing on TV at Borrowdale it is easy to see what a great racecourse it is and hopefully the glory days can return.

There is actually zero income from betting for Zimbabwean racing and most of the races are run simply for “bragging rights” by the passionate industrymen. 

Yet the club is now in decent health financial health through the development of a retail park as well as infield farming activities. There are also a number of other typically creative Zimbabwean initiatives about to bear fruit in the near future. It is also understood that discussions are underway to rectify the betting shortcoming too.

Things are looking up for Zimbabwean racing and next season races like the OK Grand Challenge will likely attract a few South African runners.

Recent Gr2 WSB Guineas winner and ruling ante-post favourite for the R5million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Green With Envy heads the list of a dozen high class nominations for the Gr1 Daily News 2000.

Dean Kannemeyer’s colt has impressed with every race as he has matured winning the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and showing a tremendous turn of foot to collar star performer Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 WSB Guineas, a distance many thought was now on the sharp side for the Derby winner.

Nine of the 12 nominations are rated 109 and better, an indication of the class of opposition Green With Envy will face should they all stand their ground at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, May 25. Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot may lead the charge ahead of Pure Predator and recent WSB 1900 runner-up, Oriental Charm.

The Gr1 Woolavington 2000 is open to older fillies and mares and the Andre Nel-trained Saartjie staked her claim with an emphatic victory in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup, coming from almost last to run down Brett Crawford’s filly Future Girl in the last few strides. Nel’s filly is among the 12 nominations and also holds an entry in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Leading the three-year-old entry is recent Gr2 SA Oaks winner Frances Ethel. Second over 1400m on debut, she has racked up four straight wins including The Oaks Trial and The Oaks for Brett Crawford. Barry Irwin, Astute principal of Team Valor, has bought into the filly and his judgement is rarely off the mark.

Race-6(Turf)  R 1,500,000  2000m     0

TABGOLD WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1)

For Fillies & Mares at Weight-For-Age

WFA: 2yrs-12.5kgs 3yrs-2.5kgs 

No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance

11   BELLEVARDE         (5M) 60.0 110  AT  Joe Soma                     

 7   NONE OTHER         (4F) 60.0 110  A   Lucky Houdalakis             

 5   SAARTJIE           (4F) 60.0 110  A   Andre Nel                    

 6   GILDED BUTTERFLY   (5M) 60.0 108 CA   Stuart Pettigrew             

10   HOLD MY HAND       (4F) 60.0 108  A   Glen Kotzen                  

 3   PERFECT WITNESS    (5M) 60.0 105  A   Candice Dawson               

 4   FUTURE GIRL        (4F) 60.0  97  A e Brett Crawford               

 2   FRANCES ETHEL      (3F) 57.5 118  A   Brett Crawford               

 1   SILVER SANCTUARY   (3F) 57.5 116  A   Mike de Kock                 

 8   MY SOUL MATE       (3F) 57.5 115 CA   Candice Dawson               

 9   BEATING WINGS      (3F) 57.5 114  A   Stuart Pettigrew             

12   MINOGUE            (3F) 57.5 102  A   Wendy Whitehead  

   (12)

Race-7(Turf)  R 2,000,000  2000m     0

DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1)

For 3 year-olds

No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance

 7   GREEN WITH ENVY    (3C) 60.0 123  A   Dean Kannemeyer              

12   SNOW PILOT         (3C) 60.0 120  A   Justin Snaith                

 4   PURE PREDATOR      (3G) 60.0 119  A   Fanie Bronkhorst             

 5   ORIENTAL CHARM     (3C) 60.0 118  A   Brett Crawford               

 8   HLUHLUWE           (3G) 60.0 117  A   Justin Snaith                

 1   WILLIAM IRON ARM   (3C) 60.0 117  A   Tony Peter                   

11   HOTARUBI           (3G) 60.0 116 CAT  Sean Tarry                   

 6   MID WINTER WIND    (3G) 60.0 116  A   Sean Tarry                   

 9   BARBARESCO         (3G) 60.0 109  A   J A Janse van Vuur           

 3   JORDAN             (3G) 60.0  97  AT  Sean Tarry                   

10   THE GREY KING      (3G) 60.0  96 HA e Justin Snaith                

 2   FLAG MAN           (3G) 60.0  92  A   Gareth van Zyl               

   (12)