David Thiselton

Ian Longmore insists on taking no credit as the breeder of his homebred Canford Cliffs Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint winner Tenango, but he should take a bow for his patience, and no doubt considerable expenditure, in ensuring the four-year-old gelding, who had been hampered by a breathing issue early in his career, fulfilled his potential.

In saying that nobody yet knows the limit of this Candice Bass-Robinson-trained horse’s potential, such was the ease of his victory on Saturday, which allowed Andrew Fortune to point to the crowd and lick his lips in typical showboating style.

Ian said, “I can’t take any credit for it, even though I bred her. In this game you need luck, and on top of that you need more luck, and this was just a helluva lot of luck. I was given the mare by Roland Bouwer from Syrilla Stud. Every now and then the guys clean up some of their mares and he asked me if I wanted her. I said yes, absolutely, and the rest is history I guess.”

Tenango is out of Tripadvisor, a Trippi mare whose only win was over 1150m at Turffontein Inside. However, she had only had one foal when Ian acquired her.

He said, “Trippi mares do well and I fancied something about the breeding. Charles Faull also told me once ‘You’ve got to breed back to the female lines’. I don’t know much about breeding, but I thought she looked like a good match to the stallions who were options.”

The next bit of luck happened in the choice of stallion.

Ian said, “I’m big pals with Craig Carey and Ross Kieswetter and they said the mare could stand at Ridgemont and the stallion options at the time were Canford Cliffs or Potala Palace (both of whom stand at Ridgemont). So when covering time arrived I flipped a coin and Canford Cliffs won it! So that is what I am saying, there is nothing smart about me with breeding, I would like to think I’m clever, but I’m not.”

The mare has unfortunately passed away of colic. She is the only mare Ian owned and the first foal she produced with Ian as the official breeder was the smart Brett Crawford-trained Master Of My Fate gelding Raven Black, who was second on debut, then unplaced, and then won four in a row. His last start was in December last year, a win over 1000m, and that followed a layoff of more than a year, whilst his previous three wins followed a layoff of eight months.

Ian said, “He can also run like crazy, but has got some issues. That’s the game I guess.”

Tripadvisor would not be the first mare to have progeny who produce after an untimely passing.

As it turned out Saturday was the greatest day of Canford Cliffs’ career as the unbeaten Alan Greeff-trained Ridgemont homebred Direct Hit, part-owned by Devin Heffer, gave the Irish-bred Tagula stallion his first Gr 1 winner and it was followed just under  two hours later by a R1 million Gr 2 win, a race which only lost its Gr 1 status this year.

Ridgemont have always believed in Canford Cliffs, who won five Gr 1s in succession in Britain and Ireland before succumbing to Frankel in his final start.

He has been firing this season and is just outside the top ten on the national sires log.

The part of Tenango’s story where no luck is involved is Tenango’s transformation in happiness and performance after time was taken to sort out his issues.

The thoroughbred, it is often lamented, suffers one serious design flaw.

The right laryngeal nerve has a simple route, branching off from the vagus nerve, which comes from the brain, and travelling directly to the larynx.

However, the left laryngeal nerve instead must travel all the way to the heart, where it wraps around a large pulsing artery, before coming all the way back to the larynx. It is the longest nerve in the horse’s body and so it stands to reason that it is commonly damaged.

The most common cause of any abnormal respiratory sound is idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia (paralysis of the left side of the larynx).

This condition is caused by degeneration of the nerve that supplies the left side muscles of the larynx.

The left side of the larynx consequently “hangs” inward, instead of moving in and out in symmetry with the right side.

Anecdotal evidence from an experienced trainer a few year ago suggested that wind ops on this problem only had about a 50/50 success rate.

One of the problems was when a horse stood up after surgery they could injure themselves or any implants in the operated area could become dislodged. 

Tenango was a victim of this breathing disorder and Ian decided to send him to Syrilla Stud for the wind operation and for recuperation.

Tiaan Ellis, stud manager of Syrilla Stud, said, “It was suggested by Dr. Andrew Gray he had to come to the farm for a while before the op so he can just relax and settle down. As Candice Bass-Robinson has mentioned in interviews he was quite a nervy horse and he wasn’t a happy horse, so he came to the farm and we settled him down beautifully. The difference in the wind op procedure was basically that they did it with the horse standing up. I think there was an implant  to hold the tie back in place. Then after that he had another almost six months recovery on the farm. We had to hand walk him around the block, sometimes even at night so he would get some exercise  without breathing in any dust and he had nasal flushes and other attention and recovered absolutely like a bomb. He changed completely as well from a nervous horse to a happy horse  and a very easy horse to work with. It is such a relaxed, no rush environment and he calmed down completely. “

The professionalism employed and the patience displayed has paid handsome dividends as Tenango’s record since the op is seven starts for five wins and two seconds. 

The bay has an exceptional turn of foot and Ian said,” Andrew Fortune, he is quite character, he told us, ‘The horse was saying to me, can we go yet, can we go yet?'” 

The Gr 1 Mercury Sprint seems the obvious target for Tenango whose merit rating was raised from 118 to 126.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card when racing switches to the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and the race that will attract most attention is the first leg of the Pick 6, race four on the nine-race card, where Cherry Oh Baby will attempt to snap her string of runners-up placings.

 She has finished second in her last five starts and a beaten favourite at her last two. Jockey Andrew Fortune came in for a ton of criticism for his ride on Mike and Mathew De Kock’s filly, believing that he had been caught napping by the faster finishing and well supported Long Street over 1400m. Whatever your opinion, there is an enquiry pending but this longer 1800m trip could finally see her into the winner’s circle although she does take on males. 

MJ Odendaal saddles O Space O who makes his poly debut and does seem better than his last two with his best recent effort in the soft. Sanbeenee also takes on males but was a narrowly beaten second over course and distance last time out and should feature again. Takeyourbestshot looks held by Cherry Oh Baby on their last meeting but the gelding does appear to be coming to hand.

The card features a host of lower division handicaps starting in the fifth where Richardthefearless could help out. Frank Robinson’s gelding found good market support last run but lacked finish. Craig Zackey stays with the ride and he gets first time blinkers that could see further improvement. Future Saint was a well beaten favourite last start but still garnered a three-point rise in the handicap. He has been knocking at the door and this trip should suit. Bally Magic has improved in cheek pieces and was a close-up second last run back on the poly and is a must inclusion in all exotic bets. 

In the sixth, One Path was much improved with a tongue-tie last time out. This will be her third run after a long break and she goes well on the poly. The unknown is Meritorious who was rested after a poor second run with no explanation given. She has since changed stable and has her first outing for Alyson Wright but won well enough one debut to suggest that she has some ability. Skytrix was narrowly beaten last start and Mike Miller’s charge appears to have come to hand again. Visiting Corne Spies sends out We Will Rock You who showed signs of a return to form last outing. She is useful on her day and with a 1.5kg claimer aboard she could prove dangerous on her poly debut. 

The seventh is another competitive handicap where many of the main protagonists met last time out. Sky Velocity and My True Love meet again. Sky Velocity romped home in her first start for her new stable. She had consistent Fairview form prior to that. However, My True Love is 2.5kg better off and has the better draw so can turn the tables. Miss Paget finished third in that same race and is now 5.5kg better off with Sky Velocity taking her 4kg claiming apprentice into account. Noodsberg started favourite for the race finishing 3.70 lengths back and is 2kg better off with Sky Velocity. All four look capable. 

In the eighth, Future Flo has hardly put a foot wrong since winning his maiden and reverting to sprints. He is over his optimum distance and should put in another bold showing. Connery was back to his best when a comfortable winner last time out. He only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. Jet Legacy started favourite in the race won by Connery, finishing two lengths back. They meet on the same terms so the result should be confirmed. Ibhele has been threatening for some time now and can surprise. He has a light weight and the best of the draw. 

The final leg of the Pick 6 is a minefield with plenty in with chances. Kom Naidoo saddles Andy Coogle who is back on his favourite surface and showed up well last time out. Masterbling enjoyed the poly last run and was touched off in a tight finish. He can go one better. Warrior Of Royalty has a tricky draw  but gets 4kg relief from the saddle and has a strong money chance. Trafalgar Square seldom runs a poor race and his recent form is consistent. He should enjoy this surface as he tries for his eighth win.

RACE 1

2 HOLY STAR   3 INDIGENOUS   6 QUINN’S TIME   5 DIGITAL ASSET

Summary: HOLY STAR (2) made a smart debut at long odds behind Gold Medallion hopeful Little Boy Blue who runs thus Saturday. INDIGENOUS (3) has been a beaten short-priced favourite in his two local starts. Both were over further and he may prefer this shorter trip. QUINN’S TIME (6) has been fairly well beaten in both starts but has had experience on the poly and can improve. Keep and eye on first timers DIGITAL ASSET (5) and ARISTOCRATIC (8). (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-6-5).

RACE 2

1 OPERA FAN   9 ALAKAZAM   4 SPLASH OF LOVE   6 TULIP FIELDS

Summary: OPERA FAN (1) has consistent Highveld form. She was close-up last run over a mile and this trip from the best of the draw could see her home. ALAKAZAM (9) showed up well on debut and this trip should suit. However, she does have the widest draw to contend with and Muzi Yeni has jumped ship to partner Opera Fan. Yeni has been replaced by Andrew Fortune on SPLASH OF LOVE (4) who ran on well when taking on older fillies over the distance last time out. TULIP FIELDS (6) is a regally bred first timer and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-4-6).

RACE 3

3 PINETTI   2 MISS KANSAS   6 LARIUS LACUS   4 THIRD WINTER

Summary: PINETTI (3) has made steady improvement in her three outings and looks well primed for this. She was narrowly beaten last run and has very much in form Gavin Lerena aboard. MISS KANSAS (2) made a smart debut but pulled up fatigued at her next start after causing some interference. She is likely to be much improved here. LARIUS LACUS (6) raced green on debut and should benefit from the outing. THIRD WINTER (4) makes her debut for a strong stable and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-6-4).

RACE 4

10 CHERRY OH BABY   6 O SPACE O   2 SANBEENEE   7 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT

Summary: CHERRY OH BABY (10) has finished runner-up in her last five starts and a beaten favourite at her last two. She was caught late by the faster finishing and well supported Long Street last time out over 1400m and this longer trip could finally see her into the winner’s circle although she does take on males. O SPACE O (6) makes his poly debut and does seem better than his last two with his best recent effort in the soft. SANBEENEE (2) takes on males but was a narrowly beaten second over course and distance last time out and should feature again. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (7) looks held by Cherry Oh Baby on their last meeting but the gelding does appear to be coming to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-2-7).

RACE 5

6 RICHARD THE FEARLESS   1 FUTURE SAINT   7 BALLY MAGIC   5 KING BAVARIAN

Summary: Open handicap. RICHARDTHEFEARLESS (6) found good market support last run but lacked finish. He gets first time blinkers that could see further improvement. FUTURE SAINT (1) was a well beaten favourite last start but still garnered a three-point ride in the handicap. He has been knocking at the door and this trip should suit. BALLY MAGIC (7) has improved in cheek pieces and was a close-up second last run back on the poly. He is a must inclusion in all exotic bets. KING BAVARIAN (5) looks held by Richardthefearless on their last meeting but he now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-5).

RACE 6

3 ONE PATH   2 MERITORIOUS   5 SKYTRIX   9 WE WILL ROCK YOU

Summary: ONE PATH (3) was much improved with a tongue-tie last time out. This will be her third run after a long break and she goes well on the poly. MERITORIOUS (2) was rested after a poor second run with no explanation given. She has since changed stable and has her first outing for Alyson Wright. SKYTRIX (5) was narrowly beaten last start and appears to have come to hand again. WE WILL ROCK YOU (9) showed signs of a return to form last outing. She is useful on her day and with a 1.5kg claimer aboard she could prove dangerous on her poly debut. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-5-9).

RACE 7

1 MY TRUE LOVE   11 SKY VELOCITY   3 MISS PAGET   2 NOODSBERG

Summary: Competitive handicap. SKY VELOCITY (11) and MY TRUE LOVE (1) meet again. Sky Velocity romped home in her first start for her new stable. She had consistent Fairview form prior to that. However, My True Love is 2.5kg better off and has the better draw so can turn the tables. MISS PAGET (3) finished third in that same race and is now 5.5kg better off with Sky Velocity taking her 4kg claiming apprentice into account. NOODSBERG (2) started favourite for the race finishing 3.70 lengths back. And is 2kg better off with Sky Velocity. All four look capable. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-3-2).

RACE 8

4 FUTURE FLO   8 CONNERY  1 IBHELE   3 JET LEGACY  

Summary: FUTURE FLO (4) has hardly put a foot wrong since winning his maiden and reverting to sprints. He is over his optimum distance and should put in another bold showing. CONNERY (8) was back to his best when a comfortable winner last time out. He only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. JET LEGACY (3) started favourite in the race won by Connery, finishing two lengths back. They meet on the same terms so the result should be confirmed. IBHELE (1) has been threatening for some time now and can surprise. He has a light weight and the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 4-8-1-3).

RACE 9

3 ANDY COOGLE   5 MASTERBLING   7 TRAFALGAR SQUARE   12 WARRIOR OF ROYALTY

Summary: Tough handicap. ANDY COOGLE (3) is back on his favourite surface and showed up well last time out. MASTERBLING (5) enjoyed the poly last run and was touched off in a tight finish. He can go one better. WARRIOR OF ROYALTY (12) has a tricky draw  but gets 4kg relief from the saddle and has a strong money chance. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (7) seldom runs a poor race and his recent form is consistent. He should enjoy this surface. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-12-7).

PLEASE NOTE!

Below pools time changes due to below kickoff time change.

SOCCER 6 – SPORT 1 & P1: 4 June 2025

Match 02 (02):  ISMAILY SC vs CERAMICA CLEOPATRA Kick off Time Change 17:00

New Pool closing time 18:00

SOCCER 10 – SPORT 15 & P1: 4 June 2025

Match 03 (03):  ISMAILY SC vs CERAMICA CLEOPATRA Kick off Time Change 17:00

New Pool closing time 18:00

SOCCER 6 – SPORT 2 & P2: 5 June 2025

Match 01 (01):  ZAMALEK vs PYRAMIDS FC Kick off Time Change 20:30

New Pool closing time 19:30

SOCCER 10 – SPORT 8 & POOL1: 5 June 2025

Match 03 (03): ZAMALEK vs PYRAMIDS FC Kick off Time Change 20:30

New Pool closing time 19:30

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Leicester and Wolverhampton (UK) – 3 June 2025