Andrew Harrison

All Jockey Academy apprentices get their first taste of riding work in the quieter climbs of Ashburton where those trainers play guinea pig. But one soon knows when an apprentice has caught the eye of the Summerveld hordes when their trips to the riding ‘kindergarden’ become fewer and fewer.

Kaidan Brewer is now a rare sight at Ashburton and after watching his ride on Miss Emblem in the card opener at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday, it is not difficult to see why. It was a ride out of the top draw, Brewer showing tactical nous and nerves of steel to get his mount home for Carl Hewitson who has taken him under his wing.

Considering that Hewitson mentored his son Lyle, who will in a fortnight’s time collect his second jockey championship, Brewer is in good hands as “long as he keeps his head screwed on,” commented Hewitson Snr post-race.

After tugging hard in the early stages, Brewer settled Miss Emblem into rhythm as Tostada went clear. Once in the straight, Brewer sat almost motionless until 300m out before asking his mount for an effort. It was a comfortable win in the end but a ride well worth watching in a few replays.

There were a few ‘wag-n-bietjie’ races on Sunday and the trend continued in the second. If the early pace had been any slower the field would have broken into a canter, but it played into the hands of Keagan de Melo aboard Lord Of The Manor. Going 1800m for the first time and not certain to see out the trip, De Melo had the opposition behaving as if it was a false start as he slowed them up to a crawl. Richard Fourie final took up the challenge, sending What A Blast to the front but the damage had already been done. Lord Of The Manor kept rolling in the home stretch to hold on narrowly from a fast-finishing Cane Lime ‘N Soda.

Apprentice Thabiso Gumede, who rides regularly for Duncan Howells, employed similar tactics on the Howells-trained Parallax in the third in a bid for a second successive win, but fellow apprentice Jabu Jacobs delivered Smart William with a sweeping late run and there was little Gumede could do to hold the challenge from Peter Muscutt’s runner.

Jacobs was back in the winner’s enclosure three races later, again for Muscutt, as he produced Mr Piggalle with a telling late effort up the outside of his rivals to win going away.

Rachel Venniker’s determination to become a jockey is paying off in spades as she booted home her third winner in less than a month. Two of her wins have been for former 11-time SA Champion Jockey Michael Roberts including yesterday’s triumph on reserve runner Tupelo Honey, the grey leading from the jump to win the fifth.

 Female jockeys are making waves around the world with Rachel Blackman winning the Grand National, one of the most fearsome steeplechases in the world, Haley Turner and Hollie Doyle top riders on the flat in the UK and Lisa Allpress the four-time champion jockey in New Zealand to name but a few.

Gabriel Pieterse rounded off a fine day for the apprentices as he had Mind Set up with the pace from the jump and then pinching a break at the top of the lane. From there Louis Goosen’s runner never looked like getting caught although the line came in time as the pack was closing fast.

Andrew Harrison

ERIC SANDS has made the tough decision to withdraw Rainbow Bridge from the Gr1 HKJC World Pools Champions Cup.

The season-ending race will be run over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, July 31.

After scratching his head over the past two weeks, Sands decided on Friday that it was to Rainbow Bridge’s benefit that he miss the race.

“It’s a million rand race, and I would love to go for a million rand race, but why do I want to get blood out of a stone,” he said.

 “Two years ago, he won the race and he should have beaten Soqrat by five lengths. Last year he got beaten by his brother (Golden Ducat) but he should have beaten Cirillo (third) by five lengths.

“He’s had a tough season and he’s given everything. His run in the July was probably his worst. I could get him back but if he gets beaten people will say I should not have let him run.”

“He’s not just a horse, he’s my friend and I would never do that to a friend,” Sands concluded.

This season Rainbow Bridge won the Gr1 Cape Town Met, the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. He was also second in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes, beaten a short head by Belgarion, and second in the Gr1 Queen’s Plate.

His last run in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July was his worse showing this season, finishing eighth, beaten five lengths by Kommetdieding, the run that prompted Sands’ decision.

Andrew Harrison

Although the rampant looting appears to have subsided, there are still fears that the unrest may flare up again over the weekend. As a precaution and because of other logistical difficulties Gold Circle have made contingency plans and moved tomorrow’s scheduled meeting at Hollywoodbets Scottsville to Hollywoodbets Greyville turf.

The change of venue will see many scratchings so punters are advised to keep up to date with the changes before placing their bets.

Hopefully sanity prevails and racing takes place tomorrow where Sir Michael and Shavout can bring some cheer to beleaguered punters.

Dean Kannemeyer pitted Sir Michael against Do It Again in a Pinnacle Stakes were all was in favour of Justin Snaith’s gelding.

Admittedly it was a warm-up for the subsequent Vodacom Durban July fourth-placed finisher but for a horse that had won and finished close-up in Gr1 contests over the distance he looked to be something of a shoo-in.

As it turned out, Richard Fourie had to pull out all the stops on the odds-on favourite to collar Sir Michael on the line and save a myriad of exotic bet tickets.

However, even taking into account that Do It Again was probably in need of a serious blow-out, it was still a top performance by Sir Michael who faces nothing of that calibre in the seventh, a handicap over a mile.

One always needs to take note of runners from the Sean Tarry yard, whether they have current form or no, but Rock The Globe has been in good form on the Highveld and not far behind useful stable companion Putontheredlight last time out.

It’s been a long time between drinks for Rock The Globe but his merit rating has dropped from a career high of 106 to his current mark of 89 and he has hardly been out of the money since his last success.

Ralph The Rascal has been a little costly to follow but is seldom far back. He was narrowly beaten last run, goes well this trip and makes his Scottsville debut which could bring out the best in him.

Judging by jockey bookings, Tonightsfightnight looks the pick of Dennis Drier’s pair. He won well last run over 1200m and steps up in trip. His recent form has been on the poly but he has a light weight and will be a factor.

MJ Odendaal has always had high hopes for Shavout and took him up to Turffontein for the Dingaans. It did not work out for Shavout who ran no sort of race, finishing tailed off behind Catch Twentytwo. He hasn’t made it back to the winner’s enclosure since but he has been racing in the top echelons finishing third behind Crown Towers in The Sledgehammer and in a similar position behind star filly She’s A Keeper in the WSB 1900.

If he holds form, he should prove way too good for is rivals in the sixth with his light weight. Karoo Lark has finally found form and was narrowly beaten by Look For Hounds last start. However, he is now 2.5kg better off with his rival this time around and should be able to turn the tables although it should still be a close rivalry as Look For Hounds found his best form and steps up in trip.

News Stream has been a little off form of late but has the benefit of a good draw and will go close on his best effort.

Dark horse could be Donald McDonald. Gavin van Zyl’s gelding is no slouch but has not been out since December last year and would probably prefer it a touch further but if anywhere close to his best he will make them all gallop.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Sea Of Tranquillity found strong market support last run and could have finished a little closer after finding traffic close home. She is back over a sprint but appears to have come to hand and the stable is in mustard form of late. Baby Africa found form when starting at long odds and returning to a sprint. Sting Ray raced in feature company at her second start. She finished well beaten but had the worst of the draw. There was a lot to like about her debut effort and one can expect some improvement.  Ride The Lightning and the battling Fateful Mistress are others to consider.

In the fifth, Diamond Girl is entered to run on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Monday so it will be interesting to see which engagement Dennis Drier chooses. She enjoyed the extra last run when finishing stoutly and she looks capable in this field. The two obvious dangers are Indomavel and Cordobesa.

Indomavel has drawn wide but goes well this trip and was only run out of it late last start while Cordobesa was in with a shout until the final 50m last start when the short-priced favourite prevailed. She has also drawn wide but must have a decent chance.

Tarry saddles Dubawi Princess in the eighth. She goes well this trip and has been in good form of late. Irish Belle is quick although her best recent form has been on the poly but she goes well this trip. Hilarity is an English import making her local debut but has not been out since October last year. The betting should tell a story. Flashy Kaitrina was out-classed in the Garden Province but is better over this trip and should not be written off lightly.

In the last, a difficult handicap, Naval Secret has his first run for a new stable. He had some useful Cape form before being tried in blinkers and they come off. Blaze Of Silk is a course specialist and way better than his last run.  Bernie’s Dream may just have been short of a run last time out while Greenlighttoheaven has been disappointing but is back over what may prove a more suitable trip.

David Thiselton
THE VAAL straight course today stages an interesting eight race meeting which should see punters coming out on top.

The meeting starts with a workriders’ maiden over 1400m and Mr Livingston will be hard to beat. He finished a 6,75 length fourth last time out over 1200m but the three in front of him, William Robertson, Dyce and Angel Of War are all talented. He has plenty of scope and should relish the step up in trip on pedigree being by Global View, whose two Graded wins were over 1600m and 1700m, out of a Labeeb mare who placed over 2600m. He is only a two-year-old but looks to have plenty of scope and likely has a bright future ahead of him. Phenesile Mongqawa is aboard and is an ultra consistent rider. The Sean Tarry-trained first-timer Willtowin is a three-year-old gelding by Willow Magic and is a half-brother to the seven-time winning Listed runner up Euphoria, a Kahal filly who won from 1200m up to 1600m. Champion workrider Joe Gwingwizha is aboard. Fort Commander’s best form has been over 1200m so the step up to this trip could be a concern but Tshepiso Matsoele is aboard and he has won five of his last six races.

The second is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and Sicilian Tiger is the one to beat after making a good debut over 1200m where he showed pace and hung on for third although he did not receive any betting support so the even money quoted at present might be a touch skinny. An interesting first-timer appears called Ice And Fire. He is a gelding by What A Winter and is a half-brother to the Dingaans winner Shango. He is also a half-brother to Captain And Master who looked like he would go to the top after running on for third in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horsehoe for two-year-olds over 1400m but was ultimately a disappointment although he has won a few races. Chief Rafeef has run some fair races and might enjoy the step back down in trip so is not out of it either.

The third race is a Miaden Juvenile Plate over 1200m in which only three of the 13 runners have raced before. Quest From Afar was only 1.15 lengths behind the smart Desert Miracle over 1160m in her penultimate start so is the one to beat. Meteoric has shown some ability and could still improve. First-timer Code Zero is by Master Of My Fate and is a half-sister to twice Listed winner in PE Sammy Jo whose six career wins ranged from 1000m to 2000m. First-timer Perfect Witness is by Flower Alley and is a half-sister to four-time winner in KZN from 1200m to 2000m Diamonds And Pearls (Jackson). Alabama Anna is by the exciting new sire The United States out of an unraced Hawk Wing mare and this first-timer is a half-sister to three-time winner Radiant Love.  

In the fourth race over 1000m Brief Crusade strikes as being a scopey sort who can improve and his run last time out, a 4,75 length third to the promising Alesian Chief, looks to be the best form. Maraca Ginger and Night King look to be moderate but could be the main dangers.

In the fifth race over 1000m What A Miracle jumped outward last time over 1000m and was run out of it late so can make amends here in a moderate field. She is by What A Winter and is a full sister to four-time winner Tripod. Two first-timers could be the chief dangers. Vuitton is by Vercingetorix and is a full-sister to the one-time winner over 1750m Parallax. Moonshiningthrough is by Rafeef and is a half-sister to the twice winner in KZN Purple Moon’s Up (What A Winter).

In the sixth race, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m, Alesian Chief won comfortably last time out over this trip and off a reasonable opening merit rating of 88 this two-year-old could be the one to side with. Successful Secret is 3.5 kg better off with Country Squire for a 3.05 length beating so might be the chief threat in this relatively open race. Country Squire is in fine form and won going away last time so it would not be a great surprise to see him overcome a seven point raise. Godswood was disappointing in that race and is better than that and he is also now 4kg better off with Country Squire for a 6,25 length beating. Look To The Sky speedy can never be ignored as he has plummeted down the merit ratings and might one day blitz a field over the minimum trip, although he is officially 1kg under sufferance here. 

In the seventh race, a Graduation Plate over 1100m Captain Morisco is the choice as he holds Portico on a line through Vaseem. However, the two-year-old Dockofthebay could well be a big danger despite not having run since his winning debut in early January. He is a big, long-striding sort and might well have benefited from the layoff. Portico did compete with the best as a two-year-old and finished a narrow second in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m. He showed signs of returning to his best last time and is also a contender to win.

In the last race, a Maiden over 1400m, McKenna Sky is by Act Of War and is a half-sister to MK’s Pride so she should improve on her fifth place effort on debut over 1200m. She did show quite a lot of speed there but on pedigree will enjoy this step up in trip and can reverse a 1,65 length beating by the hard-knocking maiden Lady Of The Flame, who is having her twelfth start.

The KZN based bookmaker has signed a four-year naming rights sponsorship deal for the Gold Cup and the Festival of Racing. Representing Marshalls World of Sport, Taffy Mukeredzi, said that this was a way for MWOS to contribute to the horseracing industry especially during these difficult times. The four-year sponsorship will also cover the 60th year celebration for Marshalls World of Sport after the late John Marshall opened his first betting operation in 1963.

This year the Marshalls World of Sport Festival of Racing will take place on Saturday, 31 July, and fittingly will bring the 2020/2021 South African Racing Season to a close, featuring the MWOS Gold Cup and four Grade 1 races, all of which will have a significant effect on the outcome of the Equus Awards for this season.