Aldo Domeyer is joint leader of the Hong Kong Championship after grabbing a double on the opening day of the season on Sunday at Sha Tin and although his winning rides were 95% superb, the one mistake he made landed him in hot water and he copped an 11 day ban.

Meanwhile, Douglas Whyte took just two races to get off the mark as a trainer.

Domeyer said at this time last year, “They say you need 10,000 hours before you start understanding your craft. I have been listening to my father (Andrew Fortune) for a long time and had been kind of getting it but also kind of not and last season everything just clicked. I think a lot of it is just trusting your instincts and listening to yourself. The last thing you want to be doing is questioning yourself. So now I am no longer thinking of the big names I’m riding against, I’m just riding against myself. It is all coming together and I know what I am doing.”

This showed yesterday in the first of his wins when bouncing his mount, California Gungho, out from a draw of eleven in the 1200m event and outpacing those on his inside before settling him one wide and one back. The rider of Bingo helped him by coming across to provide cover. He drove California Gungho into the lead and only drew the stick about 100m from home by which stage he had the race in safekeeping. The horse started at odds of 8,5/1.

In the next race over 1400m Domeyer was on the weak 5,6/1 favourite Sunshine Warrior and once again had him beautifully positioned, this time in about sixth place with cover and with enough room to stride out. Realising the pace had not been hot he peeled his mount out rounding the turn and charged for the line. Domeyer was driving his mount with a right hand whip and making some progress, but it was not fast enough, and he then pulled off a whip-hand change of incredible deftness. The horse duly changed legs and found another gear and powered to a three-quarters of a length win. Domeyer did make one mistake though. In putting his head down and driving for the line, he forgot to look where he was going and did not realise his mount was hanging in until it was too late. His mount interfered with the second and third-placed horses. It didn’t affect the result but he was charged with careless riding and will miss four meetings.

Both of Domeyer’s wins were for top trainer Tony Cruz, who about two decades ago put Felix Coetzee on the map in Hong Kong through some good horses including the legendary Silent Witness. 

Douglas Whyte, started off his training career with a fourth place finish in the first race and won the second with 6,7/1 chance Adonis, who was ridden by young Australian jockey Regan Bayliss.

South African champion jockey Lyle Hewitson had five rides and his best finishes were 3rd on a 25/1 shot and 4th on a 12/1 chance. 

By David Thiselton

Kahal was one of the best recent sires in KZN and, a week after his son Wynkelder was named KZN Champion Sprinter, Prince Of Kahal shared first prize in the first Graded race of the season, the Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m on Turffontein Inside, with Angel’s Power, who survived an objection.

The Mike Azzie-trained gelding Angel’s Power, at the age of seven, thus landed a race he had finished second in twice, in 2016 and 2017 respectively, and fourth in last year.  

Five-year-old gelding Prince Of Kahal, trained by Roy Magner and ridden by Dennis Schwarz, loves the Turffontein Inside track and has now won four out of five starts there.

His early pace and ability to kick on suits the tight course perfectly.

He had a good draw of six and duly found the box seat behind the pacemaker Russian Prince.

He kicked for home coming off the elbow and hit the front at the 350m mark.

Angel’s Power, who is also by a KZN-based stallion, Miesque’s Approval, sat behind Prince Of Kahal in the running but was then outpaced in the first part of the straight.

However, he got going at the 350m mark and a furlong later, under a strong ride by S’Manga Khumalo, had made up the two length deficit.

Angel’s Power put his head in front but then in a stirring duel Prince Of Kahal fought back to share.

Angel’s Power gave Prince of Kahal a slight bump late in the race and Schwarz objected but the result stood.

It was a first stakes success for both Prince Of Kahal and Angel’s Power.

The latter became the fifth stakes winner for Miesque’s Approval.

Both Prince Of Kahal and Wynkelder are from the last crop of Kahal, who has now produced 42 stakes winners, including six Grade 1 winners.

It is interesting to note that both Prince Of Kahal and Wynkelder hail from mares who were out of Foveros mares.

Kahal, who passed away in 2014, was by Machiavellian, who also produced the mighty Street Cry, sire of the 2017/2018 Equus Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna.

Both Kahal and Street Cry’s female sire lines trace directly back to Polymelus, Kahal through the common line of Danzig and Nothern Dancer and Street Cry through the more unusual line of Fairway. 

Polymelus was owned by Solly Joel of Kimberly diamond mining fame and this stallion had a significant impact on South African breeding through the like of his imported son Polystome, who was the ten times SA champion sire.

So the strength of Northern Dancer line sires like Kahal were always going to have plenty of blood to bolster them out here.

By David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside nine race meeting tomorrow is headed by two MR84 handicaps. 

In the first of them, for fillies and mares over 1000m, Nawaasi had become a disappointing sort but has found a new lease of life lately, winning her last two starts by three lengths over this minimum trip. If she did have an issue it must have be sorted out. She could be running off a capped merit rating here as she won going away with ease last time and could only be given a maximum eight point raise. Ocean City has a shout as she was beaten five lengths by Nawaasi in her penultimate start and is now 8kg better off. She went too fast in front that day and if more is held in reserve this time, as it was when second in her last start, she should do better and will be a threat. Elbi is a consistent sort who is 6kg better off with Nawaasi for a six length beating, which makes it tough for her on paper, but she burst through the stalls that day and that is known to affect a horse’s chances, especially a sprinter who needs every drop of reserve fuel for the final stages. 

In the second of the MR 84 races, for fillies and mares over 1600m, Virginia makes plenty of appeal. She took the bull by the horns last time and set a blistering gallop from a wide draw. She never let up and crossed the line two lengths clear. She has always looked to have some class and allowing her to stride out in front looks the way to go. She will not have the 2,5kg claim of apprentice Juglall to help her this time and she is also an effective eight points higher in the merit ratings. However, she has a plum draw of two and S’Manga Khumalo is aboard so she can afford to take it a little easier in front this time. Destiny’s Game is progressive and looks likely to enjoy the step down in trip. She won her maiden easily over this trip and later won over 1800m but she was run out of it over 2000m last time, so this trip might be what she is looking for. Only To Win had become disappointing but she bounced back last time when held up off the pace over the trip. That might be the key to her so she must be included.

The meetings starts with a maiden over 1160m and Succession could be the one to side with. He made a fair debut over 1200m and was thought highly enough of to take his place in the SA Nursery. He was well beaten there but should have benefited from the layoff since then and does not face an inspiring field here. Bold Ransom can improve from his fair debut when showing good pace and then finding no extra. He should have come on from the run and will have benefited from the experience too. House Master beat Bold Ransom by a quarter of a length when staying on well and should be in the shake up. 

The second race over 1160m, the first leg of the Bipot, should be fought out by Black Ferrari and Winterwind. The former made a good debut over 1000m in June from the widest draw of all on the Turffontein Inside track, failing by just 1,25 lengths after finding some support. He now has a favourable high draw down this straight course. Winterwind made a pleasing debut in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m on Sun Met day and wasn’t at all disgraced, finishing 6,70 lengths back. However, she hasn’t been seen out since.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Matloob made a belated debut over this trip and was not disgraced finishing a two length fourth at odds of 10-1. He is by Silvano so should be improving all the time and has a fair draw here. Jungle Book finished a good 1,75 length second last time out over 1200m considering he was coming back from a seven month layoff and lost a length at the start. He should have benefited from the run and has a fair draw. Marmara Sea found a lot of support last time over this trip and had excuses when finishing a three length fourth. He should make his presence felt although he has a tricky draw to overcome.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Prince Of Promise was caught wide last time in the running over 1600m but still managed to stay on quite well. He should be competitive from pole position over a step up in trip he can handle. What A Joker stayed on strongly over 1400m last time and if dropped out and finding cover from a tricky draw he is an interesting candidate over this step up in trip. See Me Run just failed with first time blinkers on over 1600m last time and has proven he stays this trip so is also an interesting runner from a reasonable draw of seven. Serendipity disappointed last time but could feature over a suitable step up in trip from a good draw. So Long Spring goes well for 1,5kg Kabelo Matsunyane and has to be a runner here despite being raised four points for his good run last time. In The Game is capable of popping up so has to be considered trying this trip for the first time.

In the third leg of the Pick 6 Queen Of War has plenty of pace and thus it is not surprising she has a good record over this fast course and distance. She is off a competitive merit rating and has the advantage of a good 2,5kg claimer aboard. She also has quite a high draw, which is usually favourable down this straight. She could fight it out with Moggie Brown who is another one with good pace and she is better than her last run.

In the eighth race over 1600m Shuckra is the choice. He has been facing much stronger fields and although never a threat in those races he has dropped to a competitive merit rating and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. He should start coming into his own this season. Lemon Drop Shot won his maiden easily over 1800m and the form was franked when the runner up Dry Your Eyes won his next two starts on the trot. He found 2000m too far last time and this 1600m trip from a good draw is likely to be ideal. Dry Your Eyes has a tough task with Lemon Drop Shot on their last meeting but is coming into his own and is drawn well.

The last race looks likely to be fought out by Mike De Kock’s pair Hawthorn and first-timer Deebaa. Hawthorn is by Flower Alley filly out of an unraced Tiger Ridge mare, who is out of Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Emerald Beauty, and she will relish the step up in trip.  Deebaa is a R550,000 Dynasty filly out of an unraced Peintre Celebre mare who has produced two winners including Deebaa’s full sister Tehuano who has won twice from 1700m to 2000m. Tobefair can also be included in the Pick 6 having made a fair debut. 

By David Thiselton

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, originally sidelined until August 28, has now been ruled out of action until the end of November with the sahorseracing.co.za website altering the period of his absence to August 8 – November 30.

Fayd’Herbe was unavailable for comment yesterday but his agent Ken Nicol said: “Originally Bernard was to rest for a month but when he went back to the doctors they said he needed a bit longer.”

Nicol had previously explained in a tabonline.co.za article that the original lay-off was a precaution because a routine medical check-up had revealed signs of concussion, not due to any single fall but more a cumulative effect. He confirmed yesterday that this is still the case.

Fayd’Herbe – three Mets and two Vodacom Derby Julys to his credit –is one of the most sought-after jockeys in the country and his continued absence will present problems for several of the leading Cape Town trainers who are already having to fly in riders from other centres to take the place of the now Hong Kong-based Aldo Domeyer and Grant van Niekerk.

Warren Kennedy, who last week rode at Durbanville for the first time since shortly after completing his apprenticeship, is back for Kenilworth on Wednesday when he has four rides for Adam Marcus and one each for Geoff Woodruff, Mike Robinson and Paddy Kruyer.

Muzi Yeni rides for Eric Sands, Greg Ennion and Glen Puller while Keagan de Melo, now a regular visitor, gets the call from Ennion, Justin Snaith, Candice Bass-Robinson and Glen Kotzen.

But it is the Snaith/Richard Fourie combination that dominates the early betting with either the favourite or a joint favourite in seven of the eight races.

Some punters are already looking to Kenilworth’s Sophomore Sprint card on Saturday when the Snaith stable is bringing back potential bankers Queensbarns and Frank Lloyd Wright in the two 1 400m handicaps. Queensbarns won her maiden by over five lengths last month (Snaith: “She is a bit of a hot filly but she is nice”) and Frank Lloyd Wright has won his last two in the manner of a horse who should be followed until he gets beaten.  Fourie rides both.

By Michael Clower

The Hollywoodbets Greyville eight race polytrack meeting yesterday had a mixed bag of results with three upsets in the first three races balanced by quite favourable results thereafter, although it did appear clear as the meeting went on that the outside strip was the place to be down the straight. 

The first over 1600m saw Keiko, the Frank Robinson-trained Wynnholme Stud-bred three-year-old Mogok gelding, flying through on the outside for an eye catching 0,30 length win at odds of 25/1 under Luke Ferraris. He had also found a strong finish on debut over 1000m so was probably good value at those odds considering he was going to relish the step up in trip on pedigree with King Julian on second. The favourite Do Or Dare chose to go down the inside and was beaten 0,60 lengths into third.

In the second race over 1600m the action was on the outside again. The rangy Dennis Bosch-trained reserve runner Lady Secret led from start to finish under a fine ride by Eric Ngwane after being backed in to 11/1. This three-year-old filly is by Philanthropist and was bred by Klawervlei Stud. The favourite Arrabiata was doing good work late and was beaten 1,10 lengths into second. She will enjoy further and will win soon. 

In the third race, a MR 78 Handicap over 1600m, it was another horse running down the outside who won. The Doug Campbell-trained home-bred six-year-old Mogok gelding Plymouth Rock ran on steadily to just get the better of Nicklaus. The fancied What A Blast, who was seeking a hattrick, was stuck behind the winner on the outside rail for quite some time but was eating up the ground late and can continue to be followed.

In the fourth race, a Maiden over 2000m, Mark Khan had the Lezeanne Forbes-trained four-year-old Querari filly one wide with cover one off the lead and was able to switch to the favourable outside going at the top of the straight. The Maine Chance Farms-bred filly found extra when challenged by the perennial bridesmaid La Duchesse, who was favourite, and won by a comfortable 1,70 lengths.

In the fifth race over 1400m it was Luke Ferraris on Vartanium who had the one wide-one back position and had soon bounded clear in the straight. The four-year-old Sean Tarry-trained Backworth Stud-bred Var gelding won by 0,75 at odds of 113/20 from a fast closing Galway.

In the sixth race over 1400m Tony Rivalland’s four-year-old Oratorio filly Star Vega, bred by Dr IR Heyns, looked likely to relish the step up in trip after finishing strongly over 1200m last time and after Jarred Samuel managed to squeeze her through a narrow gap on the outside she flew home to beat the favourite Spam Alert by 1,30 lengths. 

The seventh was a MR 92 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Ancient Spirit found the one wide and one back position under Keagan de Melo and duly waltzed clear to win by 3,50 lengths. The Australian-bred five-year-old mare by Fastnet Rock converted 16/10 favouritism.

Frank Robinson scored a double, a MR 80 handicap over 1200m,  when the favourite Leslies Pathtofame found the outside rail and roared home to win by 0,75 lengths from the fancied Extravargant. The five-year-old Pathfork gelding was bred by Normandy Stud.

By David Thiselton