Just like this year’s Vodacom Durban July, Saturday’s eLan Gold Cup has attracted a superior line-up of stayers, and fittingly brings down the curtain on this year’s racing season that officially ends on Wednesday, July 31.

The race was recently down-graded from a Grade 1 to a Grade 3, the grading committee taking the view that the quality of recent fields was not up to Grade 1 standard.

The Equus Awards committee have also added a caveat to the staying category saying that if the staying ranks were not up to scratch, the award of the country’s best stayer can be held over.

It shouldn’t be the case this year and Saturday’s winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville will be worthy of an Equus award, no matter who wins.

At first glance the race appears to have thrown up two or three standout runners, but a closer perusal of the form sees every runner in with a decent chance, from top weight Roy Had Enough to bottom weight Onesie.

It is a difficult race that stacks up a field of tough stayers in one of the best renewals of the famous race being run for the 99^th year.

Justin Snaith, still basking in the glory of back-to-back Vodacom Durban July wins with Do It Again, saddles three proven stayers and although Do It Again will not emulate Space Walk’s July and Gold Cup double some three decades back, Snaith has other strings to his bow.

Snaith has given Strathdon the somewhat dubious nick-name of ‘Matthew Lips’ after one of the NHA’s senior handicappers, pointing out that Strathdon has not won a race for nearly two years, his last win coming in an eight-horse race off a merit rating of 87. He now has a rating of 101 without having won a race since, a situation that riles Snaith every time the subject is brought up.

Strathdon has paid for his consistency but stable rider Richard Fourie has stuck with the gelding which speaks volumes.

 Snaith was fairly bullish of Doublemint’s chances in the VDJ where he was heavily supported in the market, in from 28-1 to start 13-1 on the day. He was only four lengths back to Do It Again and Anton Marcus could change his fortunes.

There is not enough space here to go through the runners but some that have caught the eye are top weight Roy Had Enough and the filly Dynasty’s Blossom.

One of the highlights of the afternoon will be the clash between VDJ runner-up Rainbow Bridge and the progressive Buffalo Bill Cody in the Gr1 Champions Cup.

Rainbow Bridge has done little wrong for Eric Sands except win this winter and rounding off his season with a Gr1 victory would be fitting.

With Hawwaam being scratched at the start of the VDJ, punters were denied the opportunity of seeing possibly the country’s best three-year-old perform against his elders.

Buffalo Bill Cody has only once tasted defeat and cruised to a comfortable victory over the smart Cirilo in his only start this year.

Off the track for close on eight months suggests that he has had problems but Mike de Kock is a master of his trade and the match-up between two top horses is a mouth-watering prospect.

There are three other Gr1 races on the card, The Mercury sprint possibly an Equus Award decider in the sprint category and the two Gr1’s for Juveniles, the Premiers Champion Stakes and the Thekhwini Stakes for fillies are both hotly contested affairs.

A win for recent Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Eden Roc will cement his place at the top of the pile for two-year-old males but the filly’s category is not cut-and-dried with many of the leading candidates having coffin draws next Saturday.

By Andrew Harrison

SA DOMESTIC HORSERACING POPULATION MERIT RATINGS ADJUSTMENT – 1 AUGUST 2019

Over the past few seasons it has been observed that a general decline in the Merit Ratings of South African domiciled horses was occurring, and that the trend has continued despite the “blanket” six pounds raise to all Merit Ratings which came into effect in March 2018.  This is particularly true at the lower end of the spectrum, where some 75% of the horse population are rated 72 and below.  The above observations were discussed extensively during the 2019 Handicappers Roadshow.

Effects of the Guidelines and Slippage Factor:

In large part, the problem of “slippage” in the overall Ratings has been exacerbated byHandicapping guidelines which were designed to severely limit increases in horses’ Ratings thereby ‘protecting’ improving horses and which in turn, as a compensatory measure, resulted in a more vigorous approach towards dropping the Ratings of struggling horses in a bid to equalise the Handicapping as much as possible.  This practice resulted in 75% of the Horse Population being rated below 72 thus causing an extreme imbalance (or congestion) in the National Merit Ratings Pyramid and consequentially to the National Race Programme.

Current Handicapping Philosophy:

Since January 2019, the NHA have adopted a more accountable and pure Handicapping philosophy by reverting to, where possible, assessing horses on their performance and not on other (often irrelevant) criteria as promulgated by the Guidelines, but the damage had already been done.   This current philosophy of handicapping horses more accurately in terms of their actual achievements should ensure that there will not be such a rapid decline in the overall Ratings again in future and, where possible (except where local operators conditions limit the Handicappers), a horse’s published or official Merit Rating would reflect the Handicappers’ assessments of a horse’s ability. 

National Horseracing Population Merit Rating Adjustment:

Accordingly, it was proposed by the NHA Handicapping team, and largely agreed upon at the Roadshows, that another increase in Domestic Merit Ratings be considered in order to balance the Population’s Merit Ratings and the Race Programme as well as alleviate any further degeneration of the Population’s Merit Ratings.  This proposal was ratified by the National Board and will come into effect on 1 August 2019.  It has been agreed that the Domestic Merit Ratings of all horses domiciled in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape will be increased by 10 pounds.

Eastern Cape:

Horses domiciled in the Eastern Cape will have their Merit Ratings increased by 5 pounds.  This decision was taken in light of the Eastern Cape racing centre being a victim of the ‘creep factor’.    An Eastern Cape horse will be defined, for the purposes of the adjustment, as any horse domiciled and trained in the Eastern Cape that has had two of its last three starts in Eastern Cape.

Northern Cape and Zimbabwe:

The same definition of what constitutes domiciles will be applied to horses based in the Northern Cape and Zimbabwe, but no increase will be implemented in the Merit Ratings of horses in those regions.

Merit Ratings and the Race Programme:

This increase will have the highly desirable effect of uncluttering the lowest divisions as well as helping to boost the higher divisions, where races often attract small fields or fall away altogether due to insufficient entries.  Horses at the bottom of the Ratings’ spectrum will also find it much easier to get into races than is presently the case, where they are regularly eliminated or have no option but to contest races which are too strong for them.  The National Race Programme, as confirmed by the Racing Operators, will be adjusted to accommodate the impending Merit Rating increase and should ensure a balance between the Merit Ratings and the National Race Programme. 

International Merit Ratings:

It should be noted that the increase will only affect Domestic Merit Ratings and not the International Ratings of South African trained horses.  The International Ratings of South African trained horses are done by the World’s Best Racehorse Ratings Committee.

Handicapping Methodology and Updated Guidelines:

A Handicapping Methodology Guide as well as the updated Handicapping Guidelines will be published by the NHA on implementation of the abovementioned National Merit Rating increase.

Ends.

Equus Champion two-year-old elect Eden Roc will attempt to remain unbeaten in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The Var colt appears to be looking for this trip and although not big is well put together and has a fine turn of foot.

He is more mature than his stablemate Putontheredlight who was caught late by Eden Roc last time out in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m. This time Putontheredlight has a wide draw but should be running on again.

Got The Greenlight is long-striding and classy and after likely being dropped out from a wide draw he will be finishing strongly too. 

Wave seemed to be lost under the lights in the KZN Yearling Sale Million and was going nowhere when he suddenly got going and finished strongly for a length second to the promising African Warrior. He is another high drawn horse who should be staying on. 

Loosen Your Tie finished fourth in the Golden Horseshoe, quickening from a handy position and staying on and over a suitable step up in trip he will be looking for a repeat. 

Double Alliance makes his KZN debut and will be a big runner. He moved up dangerously in the Langerman last time out over 1500m ay Kenilworth but was squeezed out badly. He ran on again for fifth but might otherwise have won. 

Kaydens Pride has run on well in his last two over shorter, including winning the Gatecrasher over 1400m, so has a chance here. 

Fools Gold is a rangy type who waltzed away with a Maiden Juvenile Plate when stepped up to 1400m last time, so he is something of an unknown quantity.

Master Of Illusion is rated by the Dennis Drier yard and was too far back in the Golden Horseshoe but was the fastest finisher. 

Rock The Globe was well beaten in the Golden Horseshoe but was staying on so is another who will enjoy the trip.

Special Blend had to be driven for much of the way when a 2,45 length fifth to Kaydens Pride in the Gatecrasher Stakes and with the experience he could improve over a trip which should suit.

Enjoy The View is a classy type who should relish this trip and he is a dark horse.

Promiseofamaster stayed on to beaten 1,10 lengths by Got The Greenlight over 1400m last time and should enjoy the trip but is 2kg worse off with the latter.

Liberty Hall was just touched off over this trip at Scottsville last time but looks to have plenty of scope.

By David Thiselton

Visiting trainers Paul Peter and Paul Matchett are launching a concerted raid at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today, Peter in particular who sends out six runners three of which are favourites on the nine-race card.

Point Of Sale in the first looked the obvious choice to bolster finances before the start of the exotic bets, but she has a date in the Gr2 Gagasi FM Debutante on Saturday and the stipes have given permission to scratch from today’s race.

This leaves a choice between Katie’s Treasure and Talia Al Ghul, the former possible the pick after her smart showing at just her second start.

Matchett has only one runner on the day and Doublethink will have a host of supporters in the second. He has useful Highveld sprint form but could prefer this trip. From a good draw he should feature. Liverpool Champ looks a likely threat.  He was a well a beaten fourth on debut but that form has worked out quite well and the experience should count.

Arizona Silk was not too far behind the promising Alibi Guy last time out and the addition of blinkers and Anton Marcus could see him convert favouritism in the third. However, Stolen Paradise was in need of his last outing and looks fair value at 10-1 for Duncan Howells and a very much in form Donovan Dillon.

Top weight Johnny Black is likely to start top of the boards for the apprentice handicap. The gelding has his second start for Alyson Wright and takes a drop in class here. It shouldn’t be that easy though with Great Stohvanen and Blaze Of Silk likely to push him all the way.

The first of the Peter favourites come up in the fifth where Nazareth will be a popular choice having gone close in two recent starts over the distance and from a good draw should feature again. Hope For Millions and Little Sparrow, stable companion to Nazareth, both have chances while Blanket Of Snow found good market support last run and was not far back. She can do better here.

Justin Snaith is packing up and heading south with VDJ winner Do It Again already on his way, but Snaith still has a few more fish to fry. Ladder Man was close-up in useful company last outing and has his third run after a break. Legend is not the easiest but has been knocking at the door for some time now and is due a change of fortune and could prove the biggest threat although another Paul Peter runner, Tripple Z, is current ante-post favourite.

A smart field of sprinters line up in the seventh where all of Cumulus, Woodstock Festival, Ultra Magnus and ante-post favourite Big Blue Marble are in with chances.

Marsanne goes into the eighth unbeaten in two and the stable hold her in high regard. But she takes to the turf for the first time over a shorter trip which could leave the door open for Linear who ran a cracking race first up out of the maidens.

Before Noon can close off the meeting. Sean Tarry’s runner won well last start and although he meets second placed Viento on 2kg worse terms he looks capable of going in again. The Peter’s-trained Corrido has some fair Highveld form, is distance suited and looks pick of the balance.

By Andrew Harrison

A lunch over a couple of bottles of wine has turned into a dream come true for Durban racing enthusiast Michael Heron and friends who are looking forward to their charge Wealthy running in the eLan Gold Cup on Saturday.

Peter Gibson put the syndicate together and said, “This horse has effectively been given a second chance in life by his very sporting owner Robert Chung and the willingness of the current owners to take a chance.”

Michael was hosting a lunch at his house when Peter mentioned the opportunity of taking over the running costs of a well-bred horse who had talent but had a breathing issue which meant a wind operation was necessary.

Michael decided to take a ten percent share despite another of the lunch attendees being advised by his veterinarian brother to not take the risk.

Wealthy, now a six-year-old, has always been rated by trainer Dennis Drier. As a three-year-old the Silvano gelding was sent down to Cape Town with the aim of running in the big stayers race on Sun Met day and from there the plan was to send him to Mike de Kock’s yard in Dubai.

Unfortunately for Chung, the handsome bay developed a breathing issue while in Cape Town.

Chung, in his experience of owning over fifty horses, did not wish to persevere but hoped Wealthy would find a good home.

Instead a successful wind operation was performed by Dr Johnny Cave of Baker and McVeigh Equine Hospital.

Peter said, “When you watch him gallop you cannot hear a thing he is now so clean winded.”

As Peter put the partnership together Michael’s hopes were buoyed when Tony Dickinson took a share.

He said, “Tony has a reputation for being a very lucky man.”

He recounted a quote from well-known KZN racing owner Grant Cornwall, who said, “If Tony was forced to use a long drop he would emerge with a rolex.”

Previous Gold Cup-winning owner Sean Singleton also joined the partnership, so if Wealthy does win on Saturday a rendition of the “woer-woer masjien” warcry, made famous by Hermoso Mundo’s win two years ago, will ring out from the winner’s enclosure.

The syndicate was completed when shares were taken by Marcus Nel, Dean Hayman and Gill Drier.

Wealthy was reported well by Peter and Michael who watched him working at Summerveld yesterday.

He booked his place in the Gold Cup through an impressive performance in the DSTv Gold Vase over 3000m on Vodacom Durban July day, charging through from last in the running for a 1,90 length fourth, and but for a couple of traffic problems he might have finished closer.

Michael’s awareness of racing began at school when two of his best friends, in an accountancy project, chose horseracing as their “business”.

“It went bankrupt!” he recalled.

Michael was a useful left arm spinner and after school played club cricket in KZN’s first league which had a culture of horseracing lovers.

He remembered always being put on the boundary when not bowling as he was a “bad fielder” but in afternoon sessions he was often replaced for an over or two by teammates who wished to listen to racing commentaries.

His interest in the Sport Of Kings blossomed while based in London on a year of travel. 

On Epsom Derby day one of his travelling companions wandered over to the local bookmaker and patriotically put two pounds eachway on Michael Roberts’ mount Terimon. To this day Terimon remains the highest priced horse, at 500/1 odds, to ever place in the Derby, so the usually skint travellers were able to attend Royal Ascot a couple of weeks later.

Michael said, “I remember Warning winning (the Queen Anne Stakes) and it was regarded as the best performance over a mile since 1948.”

A couple of weeks later they caught the train to Sandown and watched Derby winner Nashwan winning the Coral Eclipse.

Back in South Africa Michael never missed a July or Gold Cup meeting and with a runner in this year’s premier staying event has been pinching himself this week. 

Peter, like many racing purists, also loves the Gold Cup meeting, particularly as it brings back the memory of the David Payne-trained 1991 winner Icona. This USA-bred import, formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had won a Listed race over a mile and two furlongs on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and Peter preached it for weeks in the build up to the Gold Cup, despite the naysayers believing he could not win with topweight. A party to remember followed one of Peter’s biggest ever punting successes.

Wealthy has a habit of winning when the stakes are at their biggest. His three wins for the current owners include two Chapter Challenge finals and the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap.

He is currently quoted at 33/1 by Track and Ball but and carrying a nice galloping weight of 54kg and as one who clearly relished the distance last time he is one of the race’s dark horses. He gets on well with stable jockey Sean Veale and victory will spark a celebration of epic proportions up in the grandstand suites.

By David Thiselton