David Thiselton

THE 1984 Durban July winner Devon Air has been in the news lately as a typically tough and classy English-bred whose influence in South Africa continues to be felt and there is good story behind her purchase told by the man who found her, Durban Bloodstock Agent Andy Williams, who was also behind the great stallion Foveros’s import to SA.

Williams had attended the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a number of SA industrymen in 1981 and on that same trip they attended a meeting at Ascot which featured the Group 3 Hoover Fillies Mile, a two-year-old event which is a Group 1 held at Newmarket these days.

The Queen’s huge filly Height Of Fashion won the race to remain unbeaten as a two-year-old and she went on to win the Group 2 Princess Of Wales Stakes in record-breaking fashion before producing the great Nashwan at stud as well as the like of Unfuwain and Nayef. 

However, the horse who caught Williams eye in the Fillies Mile was a big bay maiden called Devon Air who ran on strongly to be beaten about 2.5 lengths into fourth. This contradicts previous reports that Devon Air’s UK form had been “dismal”, although she did not build on that form and remained a maiden throughout the following season.

Williams attended a sale at Newmarket a year of so later and noticed Devon Air going through the ring unsold.

He recalled, “She was trained by a guy called Jack Cann, who was largely a jumps trainer and had not trained a winner on the flat for over a year.”

SA breeder Robin Scott of Scotts Brothers was at the Sale and Williams approached him advising him to buy the filly. 

Williams said, “In those days breeders Mick Goss and the Scott Brothers etc were attempting to improve the quality of SA-bred broodmare and had certain criteria. Females who did not have a black type dam or who were not black type themselves did not qualify and you couldn’t bring in a maiden.”

Robin was initially sceptical and Williams recalled him saying ‘But her timeform rating is only 69.'”

However, Williams knew this horse was better than her recent form suggested and persisted. 

Robin’s brother Des, who has always been more interested in racing than breeding, was ultimately contacted on the telephone from the Sales grounds. 

Williams continued, “Des asked me what her rating was and I replied 96. He said ok then buy her.”

Williams was questioned by colleagues about the white lie and he replied, “If he ever asks me I will just tell him I’m dyslexic!”

Des and Robin sent Devon Air to Cape trainer Terrance Millard.

Her first SA start was in a B Division event over 1900m at Milnerton on July 16, 1983, and carrying just 49kg she won by eleven lengths.

She arrived in Durban for the 1984 winter season with a further two wins under her belt, including a 13 length demolition job in a 2400m Listed event. She had followed the latter race with a third place finish in the Met, beaten just 1,75 length by the great Wolf Power with Spanish Pool second.

In Durban Devon Air recorded a famous Greyville hattrick, winning the Grade 2 Republic Day Handicap over 1900m by 3,25 lengths, the July by 1,25 lengths and the Gold Cup by 4,5 lengths. The Scott Brothers has previously  bred July winner Politician and Des made it three July wins in 1990 as part-owner of the great Millard-trained Illustrador.    

At stud Devon Air produced two stakes winners with her first two foals but then went off the boil and was sold to Zimbabwe in 1996. However, her daughter Bushgirl, born in 1999, has produced Grade 1 winner August Rush (Var) and stakes winner Miss October (Var) and the latter has produced Grade 1 winner Tempting Fate and the promising October Song, so Devon Air’s influence lives on.  

The Scott Brothers stood the great eight-times SA Champion Sire Foveros and Williams was also behind his import.

He recalled being at a sale at Newmarket and stumbling into the bar out of knee deep snow and ordering a brandy and coke to warm up. Next to him at the bar counter, watching this freezing person trying to adapt to his first experience of snow, was trainer Clive Brittain and after striking up a conversation he invited Williams to visit his yard the next day.

Brittain brought Foveros out during the visit and described him as “disappointing after running a Group 1 second and he was now for sale.”

Williams was impressed by the magnificent bay, who was owned by shipping magnate Captain Marcos Lemos, and with a purchase price of 120,000 pounds he had soon put a SA syndicate together. The majority share was held together by Brian Moore and the British-born Zimbabwean, Jim Redman, a famous motorcycle racer who won six world championships in all.

Herman Brown Snr trained Foveros and his SA racing career started colourfully. He won the Grade 2 Germiston November Handicap in his fourth start but was led in by an unknown lady. It turned out that the naive Redman had sold shares in Foveros to various friends “under the lap” and the stipendiary stewards consequently withheld the stakes money. Williams came to the rescue and told Redman to inform them he had sold them breeding shares, a story the stewards accepted and the stakes money was paid out.

Foveros, as an official six-year-old, won his next three starts, all Grade 1s, the Hawaai Stakes, the Queen’s Plate and The Met.

Foveros initially stood in the Cape before being moved to Scott Brothers in the KZN Midlands.

Williams was also behind Foveros’s father Averof being imported to stand at Broadlands stud where he produced four Grade 1 winners, Pedometer, who won the Sun International by an astonishing 14 lengths, Priceless Assett, Dynamite Lady and Milleverof.  

Andrew Harrison

The weather could play a leading role at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today if the predictions of some early spring rain materialise. However, the early forecast of 35mm plus for today has dwindled to 16mm – if only we could keep changing our selections!

Paul Peter hasn’t quite made it to the top of the tree as yet, finishing runner-up to Justin Snaith in the national championship and third the previous season, but over the past few years his stable has become a formidable force, boosted by the likes of Triple Tiara champion Summer Pudding.

He makes the trip to Scottsville tomorrow where Warrior Captain and Space Race can pay their way for the stable. Warrior Captain makes his seasonal debut in the sixth where he faces some useful older sprinters in what will be a searching test of his ability.

Warrior Captain was rested after a well below par run in the SA Nursery behind the filly Sheela. However, he did show smart early toe that day before hanging out under pressure, an indication that all was not well.

His form prior to that run was promising and Peter is sure to have him back and firing.

Should he not run up to expectations, then there are a host of runners there to take advantage. Winter Flight improved nicely second time out for his new stable and with a claimer up can make the necessary improvement. Blaze Of Silk loves this course and distance and there should not be much between Princekresh, who got a hefty four-point shunt up the ratings for his last win which could be enough to compromise his chances, and second-placed Fly The Coup cannot be written off lightly. Di Mazzio moved up like it was ‘race-over’ at his last run on the poly but was run out of it late while Sir Pom is another to consider.

In the seventh, Peter saddles Space Race who arrives with some consistent Highveld form over the trip and was a beaten favourite last run when in first-time blinkers but finding one better. She does tend to lack extra when it matters which could leave the way open for the likes of Arctic Princess.

Gary Rich’s mare was narrowly beaten over course and distance last start when back on the turf and was closing quickly on the winner. She is useful on her day and a repeat will see her go close again. My Saving Grace has been up against stronger since shedding her maiden and has done well on this course.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Path To Fortune improved nicely when going a bit of ground last start. She is well drawn and should make further improvement. Go Sandals is lightly raced but caught the eye last run over course and distance. This will her third run after a break and should strip at her peak.

The next is a minefield but Fort Wylie has run two smart recent races on this course and now has a 4kg claimer up which could make the difference. Duquesne Whistle is also holding form and is course suited and these two could be the ones to fight it out.

There are many in with chances in the fifth. Macara showed lots of promise for Wendy Whitehead , winning three of her first five starts, before a lengthy break. You could not read too much into her recent comeback sprint and she should much prefer this trip.  Twicethequality boasts some promising Cape form and has her first outing for a new stable. She has a handy weight and can feature while Gardinia had her last win over a sprint but showed up well when tried over a little ground last start and rates a strong chance.

The last could rest between Northern Warrior and Radames. Northern Warrior has been up against much stronger at recent outings and the extra should suit. With a 4kg claimer up he must have a strong chance. Radames took time to shed his maiden but that form has since been franked and he was consistent before that.

David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN INSIDE stages a nine race meeting today and there is some good class racing to look forward to.

A MR 104 Handicap over 1450m is the highest rated race on the card and forms the last leg of the Pick 6.

The classy Riverstown has two wins and two seconds in five starts over this course and distance and he showed himself to be in fine fettle a month ago when winning over the too sharp 1160m. He was well weighted in that race but beat a promising sort in Full Velocity with ease and the latter followed up with her fourth win in seven starts. Riverstown is drawn wide but is capable of running on and has Gavin Lerena up so has a shout despite having to carry 61kg. Full Mast has won over this course and distance before and is drawn in pole. He showed signs of a form return last time over 1600m and is just as effective over this trip so has a shout off a merit rating which has dropped another two points to 98, two points lower than his last winning mark. Trend Master has come into his own lately albeit over middle distances. However, as a horse who is on the up he is interesting stepped down to a trip he was effective over in the past and he has a fair draw. Cornish Pomodoro will also find this too sharp but his best run was when returning from a four month layoff over 1600m in October last year so he could have benefited from another four month layoff here. Approach Control has a win and a second in two starts over this course and distance and is off a competitive mark but does have to overcome the widest draw of all, although he does have Warren Kennedy aboard and the latter is way out in front in the early season national jockeys log. Captain And Master has class but has been disappointing in his career and his last three runs have been poor. He is distance suited and a three month layoff might have been of benefit. Seven Patriots has front-running capabilities so in the current fast conditions is hard to ignore, although he would prefer further. Snow Palace was Grade 1-placed as a juvenile but has not won since December 2019, but she has dropped to a competitive mark now and comes off a third place finish over 1400m, although that was in a Progress Plate where she was well weighted.  They are selected in the order mentioned although going wide in the exotics is the suggestion.

The second race is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1200m as there are three promising sprinters lining up and some useful horses who need further. Ultra Quick was a shock loser last time after an impressive maiden win and Gavin Lerena is now aboard the equally promising stablemate Tuscan Winter, who only just failed from a tough low draw over 1160m on the Standside last time. He is drawn five around the turn here compared to Ultra Quick’s six and they will have to fend off the speedy younger horse Super Excited, who was touched off by the progressive Super Agra last time and now has a plum draw of two. Leopold is 5kg better off than any other horse in this race according to official merit ratings and although suited to further he won his maiden over this course and distance so is interesting from pole position. Eagle Alley, bred to stay, is promising and returns from a wind operation. 

The seventh is also an interesting race over 1200m and the scopey Big Eyed Girl is taken to beat the progressive Warship and the promising Paityn’s Pride. 

In the eighth over 1450m topweight Captain’s Pride is interesting having always been well regarded and having proved last time he stays this trip. He is only two points higher but it is a competitive race.    

In the fifth over 1450m Wave Warrior looks to have potential and scope for further improvement so from a good draw is taken to beat Successful Ruler and the well bred Slings and Arrows.

In the third over 1200m Meteoric can make amends for her loss on objection last time although About To Storm looks to have ability and should improve on his debut in which he ran on well after a slow start.  

Andrew Harrison

With Covid playing havoc at Fairview and jockeys from other centres not permitted to travel, there were not enough riders available to hold the meeting scheduled for Fairview today.

However, Gold Circle stepped into the break and at short notice, KZN trainers have co-operated and have put together a decent card for the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

It will be a busy weekend for local trainers with meetings scheduled for Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and again on the poly at Greyville on Monday.

Newly crowned national champion Justin Snaith can get the meeting off to a profitable start with Allaroundtheworld. He makes her local debut and has her first run on the poly but could prove to be a cut above the opposition. He improved nicely at his second outing in the soft at Kenilworth and the firmer going can bring out the best in him.

Mama’s Boy and Guy Fox look pick of the balance.

 In the second, Rodriguez takes a big drop in class after taking on feature company from a coffin draw last start. Gimme A Rainbow goes well on the poly and was runner-up at his last two. He has the best of the draw and should feature prominently.

In the third, Austen is lightly raced but needed her last run badly. However, the stable showing signs of returning to form. Unconditional Love, Venturous and Lady Yusra are others to consider.

There should not be much between Purple Operator and Silver Stardust with little separating them when last they met. They look to be the principal runners in the fourth. Purple Operator has come on with each run while Silver Stardust had the worst of the draw last run and was finishing strongly when less than a length behind Purple Operator.

The fifth looks open by In Auro has been in consistent form of late in stronger company. He’s down in class here and should be thereabouts in an open race. The Appeal could be the danger as he has been doing well on the poly and with a claiming apprentice up should be competitive.

The sixth looks tricky but Smart William has good form to weaker on the poly and his last run on the turf is best ignored. Straight Up did well from a wide draw last start. He stays the trip well and should have a big say in the finish. Twice The Flight found his best form in blinkers and goes very well on the poly. Can Lime ´N Soda improved when stepped down in trip. Takes on stronger again.

Heaven Sent found good market support on debut and won well. She meets little of note in the seventh and can follow up. Opening Shower has contested two strong features at recent outings and takes a big drop in class.

The Dennis Drier stable, after a spell in the doldrums, seems to have turned the corner and Master Of Destiny can round off the meeting. He was a close-up second in a strong field last start and a repeat should see him close again. Greenlighttoheaven has found some form in blinkers and although he looks held by Master Of Destiny his turn will come and he could turn the tables.

David Thiselton THE VAAL CLASSIC track stages an interesting eight race meeting today and there is a potential profit to be made.  The first race is a maiden handicap over 1800m and Joe Harman could be the one to beat. Last time out over this trip he was slow away, perhaps by design from a wide draw, and was last in the running before running on well for a 1,50 length second. His time was 1.02 seconds quicker than the winner of the next race, Crusade To Royalty, who then finished second in her first start out of the maidens.  Futhermore, he is drawn in pole and has the increasingly accomplished Kabelo Matsunyane aboard. Run As One’s pedigree creates a question mark over this trip as he is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Captain Al Grade 3-placed sprinter. However, he is from the family of Gold Cup runner up Noblewood. Furthermore, last time out over 1400m at Turffontein Standside he was outpaced in the early part of the straight but got going late to be beaten 1,70 lengths, suggesting he would enjoy a step up in trip, so he could be dropped out and run on from a wide draw. Parker Getrix is well drawn and if apprentice claims are included he is 4.5kg better off with Joe Harman for 4.5 lengths beating over this trip. If they are not included he is only 2kg better off but he does now have S’Manga Khumalo up. Brenner Pass beat Parker Getrix by three-quarters of a length the last time they met but is now 2kg worse off. However, on 1700m form he has a definite shout here, although he does have a tough draw. Heart Of Harlem ran second with this same 52kg weight last time in a maiden handicap over 1400m and although the jury will be out on his stamina capacity from a pedigree perspective, he is from the Weiho Marwing yard who excel with stayers.   In  the second race, a maiden handicap for fillies over 1800m, Olympic Silk will be hard to beat. She was stepped up to 1700m last time and relished the extra ground, staying on well for second with the rest of the field, which included Parker Getrix, a further 3,50 lengths back. Two winners have come out of that race and she has another plum draw of two with accomplished apprentice Gabriel Pieterse up. Stunning Kitten had the run of the race last time from pole position over 1450m and stayed on late for third after being swamped so looks likely to enjoy this step up on trip and her pedigree confirms that opinion, being by Elusive Fort and a half-sister to Black Minnaloushe gelding Tom ‘N Jerry whose two wins have been over 1600m and 2000m. Shakiru is also a contender as the form of her last race over 1600m has worked out well and she should stay the trip. In the next race over 1200m only five runners have stood their ground and all five can be included in the Pick 6. Topweight Chief Of State looked a picture in the preliminaries last time before an 1160m event and duly ran a good third. He has early pace and can take advantage of his pole position draw. There is not much between Epic Dream and Singfonico and they look the chief threats. However, the other pair Pure State and Theory Of Light are capable of upsetting, with the former dropping in trip after a layoff and the latter having his third run since being moved up from Cape Town. In the next race Super Agra has a lot of pace and is relishing the prevailing fast ground so can make it three on the trot despite being given a six point raise for his last win over 1160m. However, Dockofthebay looks to have some class so could be a threat in his third run after a five-and-a-half month layoff. In the fifth race Informative ran a fair race the last time he went over a sprint and it was in a stronger field than this so he could do well with Yeni up from a fair draw.  Allez Le Bleu is most interesting over 1200m here as she has been kept to 1000m lately despite staying up to 1400m. She ran third off her reduced merit rating last time but she does have a tricky draw. Life Goes On, Iron Mike and Touch Of Fate can also be considered.  In the sixth over 1000m  Seemyvision has everything in her favour, being 1kg better off than any other horse under the Classified Stakes conditions and distance suited.  Florence and Rozara make appeal as the chief dangers. In the seventh over 1450m Me Time will relish the step back up to 1450m and is drawn in pole with Yeni up, although she is three points higher than her last win. The progressive Now You See Me was given an eight point raise for her last 4,25 length doddle so is running off a potentially capped rating and could score the hattrick. Belle Of Belize is also progressive and distance suited. Rouge Allure can be considered for wider and so can Veld Flower, who will find this too sharp but she is a strong handy runner over further and returns from a layoff here.  In the last race over 1450m Florida Keys is in fine form and from pole position will be hard to beat.