Equus Horse Of The Year Do It Again improved enough in well-being this week for trainer Justin Snaith to have kept the big bay’s Sun Met aspirations alive.

Do It Again was among the 14 horses announced in the big race’s final field yesterday.

Snaith had expressed doubts about the five-year-old Twice Over gelding lining up in the Met after his below par L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate run. 

He had expressed concern about Do It Again’s lacklustre demeanour.

However, the big horse appears to have turned the corner and Snaith said, “Horses can’t talk unfortunately, but I can see a change and am happy with him. He is looking a lot more upbeat and has been freshing. There has been a lot of thinking, a lot of hard work and a few sleepless nights.”

Snaith also has the Dynasty gelding Bunker Hunt in the race. 

This four-year-old has almost certainly not shown his best yet as his three-year-old campaign was interrupted after a superb running-on third in in the Grade 2 KRA Guineas.

In his last start, his second of the season, he finished a 2,25 length second to Hawwaam in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy over 1800m, although he was receiving 2kg from the latter. 

Snaith said, “He is doing very well. He is the dark horse of the race. He needed that last run, it was a prep for this race, and I think he will be in the first four.”

Snaith said the yard would be saving the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap winner Belgarion for a tilt at the Vodacom Durban July. 

Snaith’s Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir will be defending his Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship crown on Met day.

He said, “He is very well. He needed his last outing and is flying. I think the only one he has to beat is Run Fox Run, who is unbeaten but this is her first real test.” 

Snaith also has three runners in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, Sleeping Single, Miyabi Gold and Silvano’s Pride, but he said this trio were more suited to 2000m so would have to run big races to be involved. He rated the Sean Tarry-trained Celtic Sea as a top horse and believed she would give the current race favourite, the Mike de Kock-trained Queen Supreme, “a good go.” 

By David Thiselton

Hawwaam has a seven-year hoodoo on favourites, as well as 13 rivals, to overcome if he is to give Mike de Kock and Anton Marcus their fourth Sun Met victories at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

Ever since the eight-time champion trainer last won South Africa’s most valuable conditions race with the odds-on Australian-bred filly Igugu in 2012 the favourite has been beaten – and three of them didn’t even make the frame.

Hawwaam, despite managing only fifth in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, is rock solid at around 17-10 and not even the presence of the man who is the most successful big race jockey in the world at the moment on last year’s winner Rainbow Bridge has convinced the bookmakers that they need to lengthen the favourite.

The Eric Sands runner remains third best at 9-2 with Queen’s Plate winner Vardy (28-10) considered a bigger danger. Ten different stables are represented and only Brett Crawford (with just 45-1 outsider Undercover Agent) can match De Kock’s three Met winners. Vaughan Marshall (One World) has won it twice, Justin Snaith (Do It Again and Bunker Hunt) once while Eric Sands’ victory 12 months ago was also his first in the great race.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Bunker Hunt) equals Marcus with three Mets to his name but Piere Strydom ( Head Honcho), Greg Cheyne (More Magic) and Aldo Domeyer (Twist Of Fate) are the only others in the line-up to have won the race before.

Bunker Hunt is a 33-1 chance but his trainer’s observations suggest he could be each way value at that price. “I rate him the dark horse of the race,” says Snaith who was pleased with the way the gelding went when ridden by Fayd’Herbe in a gallop with Wild Coast on the course last Saturday. “His second to Hawwaam in the Premiers was a prep and, by not running in the Queen’s Plate, he comes into this feeling good.”

It was at this meeting four years ago that Snaith equalled the eight-winner world record for the number of races won on the same card and this time he again has the most runners with 36. Glen Kotzen has 17, Brett Crawford 15 and Candice Bass-Robinson 14.

Richard Fourie will be the only jockey riding in all 12 races but Cheyne, Fayd’Herbe and Morne Winnaar each have 11 mounts. Interestingly Ryan Moore, who has never ridden at Kenilworth before, will get the chance to assess the course on mounts for Sean Tarry in the two R5 million CTS sales races. He also rides the part-Coolmore owned Dynasty’s Blossom for Crawford in the Western Cape Stayers.

Candice Bass-Robinson and Domeyer hope to repeat last year’s Bidvest Majorca win with Clouds Unfold but seemingly Front And Centre will prove a major threat despite managing only fifth when odds-on for the Cartier Paddock Stakes last time.

“I think she didn’t stay the nine furlongs that day,” said Crawford. “She is unbeaten over seven and she won a Group 1 over a mile. At Greyville she got away with it because of the short straight.”

By Michael Clower

Garth Puller still finds himself out in front in the KZN Trainer’s Championship approaching the mid-point of the season but he does not believe he will have the firepower to hang on to this lead or to hold on to his lofty position in the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge trainers’ table.

Puller has had 28 winners in KZN this season, six clear of second-placed Gavin van Zyl and eight clear of the joint third-placed trainers, Dennis Drier, Dennis Bosch and Dean Kannemeyer. Johan Janse van Vuuren and Gareth van Zyl are ten winners behind in joint sixth place.

Puller lies in second place in the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge trainers’ table, five points behind leader Paul Lafferty. The latter is on 485.5 points, Puller is on 480.5 points and they are followed by Alyson Wright on 414 points, Duncan Howells on 352.5 points and Gareth van Zyl on 341 points. The competition finishes at the end of February, so Puller and Lafferty still have eleven meetings to negotiate. 

Puller is in fact the 2.86/1 favourite with Hollywoodbets to win the Challenge with Lafferty on 3.03/1 and Wright on 5/1.     

However, Puller said, “Neither the Championship or the Challenge are foremost on my mind. I don’t want to be influenced into running horses for the sake of running them. My main aim is to keep the horses happy and fresh so I can keep them racing, or in other words keep them good enough to run often enough without hurting them. I started the season well and have been in front ever since. But this is a relatively weak time of the year and I don’t think I will have the firepower in the SA Champions Season. I have been told I am five points behind in the Challenge table but I might run out of horses as I have a lot of two-year-old unraced horses but not many older horses.”

Two of Puller’s best horses Brooklyn and Bay Tibbs will shortly be going in to quarantine on their long journey to join David Ferraris’ stable in Hong Kong. 

By David Thiselton

The Vaal nine race meeting is competitive and those who do their homework can hope for some healthy dividends in the exotics. 

In the first race Jackpot Jewel moved up well over 1600m last time out before plugging on for second and the step down to 1400m here could be the answer. Warren Kennedy has kept the ride. Latest Craze was drawn in pole over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track last time and he ran on well from a handy position to finish a decent 1,30 length second to the promising Cornish Pomodoro. Curious and Semper Fi both stayed on well last time over this course and distance for places. The former could reverse form from a more favourable draw by trends. Twice The Surge stayed on well over 1200m in a workriders maiden and should improve over this trip so has a big chance. Gold Rock stayed on for fourth over this trip last time from a handy position and he should be thereabouts again.  

In the second race over 1400m Peaceontherocks is a progressive sort who just failed to catch the winner Midnight Top last time over course and distance. The connections will be hoping there is no draw bias as she is drawn two. Theatre Of Dreams has not run since last August but being by Ideal World she might well have benefited from the rest. Franklin caught the eye running on well from way back in the Million Maiden over 1160m and should relish the step up in trip. Maculate had to be eased at one stage over 1600m last time when staying on but the step down in trip is not sure to suit. Ella Bean stayed on quite well over course and distance last time and could earn.

In the third over 1400m Emerald Crest caught the eye flying up late over this trip last time and she looks to be a scopey sort.  Cotopaxi stayed on well over this trip and if Peaceontherocks wins the second the form will have been franked. Both the first two choices have potentially unfavourable low draws, Pavlova Project tended to oevrreace a bit over 1600m before a layoff so should run well fresh over this trip. Loralei was not disgraced on debut and could improve. Anatura should enjoy the step up in trip.

In the fourth race over 1600m Dual At Dawn looks to be a decent sort and won her maiden well last time over 1400m. He is by Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro, although his dam was speedy which creates a slight concern. Whipping Boy was a revelation last time with first time blinkers on and despite running past the field on what appeared to be the unfavourable inside he stormed through to win easily. He now has high flying Craig Zackey aboard, although he does have to give Dual At Dawn 1,5kg. Stone Judgement beat Dual At Dawn when winning his maiden over 1400m by 1,75 lengths and is now only 1kg worse off, although  the latter has improved. He is by Judpot which gives him a chance of enjoying the step up in trip, although he is also out of quite a speedy mare. Trapiche is up against the boys but has fine form over this trip. August Rain looks to have plenty of scope so is another must include. 

The fifth over 1100m provides a good opportunity for in-form Candice Dawson to pick up another winner with the relatively unexposed but seemingly decent Illusion. Warren Kennedy stays aboard which is a bonus. Oden has flawless recent sprint form and should make another bold bid despite being five points higher for his last win. Prince Of Venice has always struck as one with some class and should also be in the mix.

In the next race over 1800m could Flichity By Farr proved last time she had acclimatised to the Highveld. David Nieuwenhuizen keeps them in form well and the filly, who has a resolute, enjoys middle distances on courses with long straights. Jet Star is capable of a strong finish too and is also distance suited. Return Flight is a dual Grade 1 winner and will go close if able to dictate in front, although Seville Orange might challenge her for the lead. The latter is not out of it and Pretty Border can’t be ignored either.

In the seventh Shabba Ranks is chosen as the best bet on a tricky card despite a wide draw as he stayed on well last time in a good field over 1600m with the blinkers back on and he should relish the step back up in trip. He should be coming into his own being by Jackson and is two points lower in the merit ratings. Royal Honour stayed on well over 2000m last time and is in consistent form. Christopher Robin is not sure to stay the trip being out of a speedy mare but his sire Damage Is Done won over 2000m which gives him hope and he is in fine form. Others to consider are Kurt’s Approval, At Hand, who gets a good draw for a change, and Therevada.

The eighth is an interesting event over 1400m and the question is whether Scent Of Evening can repeat her fine effort last time when beating a good field in a Pinnacle Stakes race. She has always had talent but has issues. Preference is for Flying High who should be coming into her own. Gallic Princess is in good form and should make a bold bid and Too Phat To Fly and Rockin Russian have the class to contest it. 

In the last over 1400m Ex’s N Ohs comes back from a deserved break and being by Jackson should be coming into her own so should be right there. Kapama looks to be the main danger. Oceania, Midnight Top and Tahitian Orana should also be considered.

By David Thiselton

For years it has been a one-way street between Australia and South Africa when it came to buying thoroughbred yearlings. South African owners heading Down Under annually to snap up potential stars, yet Australian buyers stayed at home, citing impossible quarantine requirements and arduous long-distance travel.

That was until New Zealand-based bloodstock agent Ric Wylie created history at the CTS Premier Sale recently held in the Cape Town International Convention Centre, when purchasing two fillies specifically to race in Australia. The sales topping filly, the Trippi (USA) daughter of Champion Sprinter Val De Ra, was consigned as Lot 120 by Avontuur Stud. The outstanding filly was snapped up by Wylie, on behalf of an undisclosed Australian client. Wylie, who was part of the CTS Premier Yearling Sale inspection team, was so impressed with what he saw at Avontuur last September, that he was prepared to go to R1.65 million to secure the bay filly, named All That Jazz.  He also purchased Lot 104, a Visionaire (USA) filly out of Strawberry Lane, consigned by Lammerskraal Stud, for R600,000.

“After the inspections last year, I was really impressed with some of the types – and that was without pedigrees. So I went to some of the top studs in Australia and New Zealand and said, I can buy the best-bred filly in South Africa for 20 cents in the dollar. One client was very interested, and they have got involved. Both of my buys come from great families, Group 1 families,” he said. “Lot 104, the Strawberry Lane filly, comes from a great Australian family too – her second dam is the Centaine mare Taineberry (AUS), that’s the family of one of my purchases a while ago in Galaxy Fair (AUS), also Barkada (AUS) and Best Western (AUS). You can’t access a filly with a page like that for that sort of price elsewhere.”

According to Wylie the two yearlings will go into quarantine shortly in order to travel to Australia. The fillies will spend three months in Mauritius, before heading to the UK for another six months of residency. “They will spend the summer in the UK. I have the nicest trainers in Lambourn. They’ll have a quiet English summer with the sun on their backs and they’ll be broken in up the Lambourn gallops. Then when they arrive in Australia, they will be ready to go into training with whichever trainer my client decides to put them with”, Wylie added.

The salestopper, Lot 99, an outstanding son of Champion sire Silvano (GER), was consigned by Drakenstein Stud. A spirited bidding war saw the price quickly slip over the R1 million barrier, with the colt out of the Giants Causeway(USA) mare Song Of Happiness eventually knocked down for R3 million to Nic Jonsson.  Jonsson, part owner of the 2018 and 2019 Vodacom Durban July winner Do It again, explained that he had in fact bought the colt in partnership with Bjorn Nielsen, owner of the well-known star stayer Stradivarius (IRE). “He just ticked all the boxes, for me he was the buy of the sale”, said Jonsson. “He has a great conformation, an incredible walk and a beautiful temperament.” The colt, named I Want It All, will be trained by Justin Snaith.

International bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington also acquired two of the top lots, when the hammer came down at R975,000 for Lot 51, a Silvano colt consigned by Maine Chance Farms and at R2.2 million for Lot 145 a Rafeef(AUS) colt consigned by Ridgemont Highlands Stud. EL Bloodstock was responsible for the second R2.2 million colt when the hammer fell in their favour for Lot 174, a Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) colt out of the Jet Master mare Cupid, consigned by Klawervlei Stud as agent.

Despite a significant drop in prices at what was considered a very tough sale, CTS CEO Wehann Smith pointed out that the Australian involvement, together with a number of new international buyers is exactly what was needed, especially with the likelihood that regular exports could resume later this year.  “As an industry, I think it’s something that we in South Africa should be really excited about. It’s an arduous and costly trip at this point from South Africa to Australia, so to have the support of Ric and his clients is exciting”, he said.  “I know the vision for the sale from the outset was that this would be the gateway from South Africa to the international market. In one sense, this sale was subsidised by the belief that one day, we’d get exports open again. Hopefully, this is another step in that direction and by the time we return here in 2021, there may be further confidence from the international market.”

By Liesl King

Image: The sales topping filly, the Trippi (USA) daughter of Champion Sprinter Val De Ra, was consigned as Lot 120 by Avontuur Stud. Picture: Liesl King