Summerveld-based Mark Dixon was pulling out his diminishing thatch as he battled through a virus that resulted in elevated liver enzymes, but his patience has paid off in recent weeks as the stable has come well. Dixon saddled a double at Scottsville yesterday, one expected, the other not so.

Expected was News Stream in the second. Not the easiest to handle, giving his rider a difficult time on debut, but there were no such issues yesterday as Keagan de Melo got her home ahead of the well fancied Cosmic Cutter with the balance of the field out with the washing.

The two shook off all opposition with a furlong to run, but News Stream, bred and owned by SA Jockey Academy Chairman Avison Carlisle and his wife Mary at their Kinmount Stud in the KZN Midlands, finished just the stronger to get home by a neck.

The two Dixon-trained fillies Diamante and She’s A Dream fought out the finish of the fourth, Diamante paying R52 a win on the tote with the exacta paying a healthy R450. Both fillies had been in the doldrums recently, especially She’s A Dream who looked to be going places early in her career.

“She just lost her way,” said Dixon on She’s A Dream who is on the Shongeweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month. On this showing she may not be up for auction any longer.

The meeting kicked off with a smart showing by the Paul Lafferty-trained Aussie import Share Holder. After a promising barrier trial, he was well supported in the market and duly arrived. “He’s a very nice horse,” said Lafferty. Lafferty had some difficulty putting together owners for the colt as the many bloodstock agents said “he didn’t walk too well.”

Well if he doesn’t walk to well, he certainly gallops well as he showed yesterday.

Maa Nonu, named after the classy All Black midfielder, lived up to his name as he came with a telling run for Lezeanne Forbes. Mark Khan time his run to perfection as he out-duelled the blinkered Mana Santana.

The outside of the Scottsville straight track is often labelled a ‘minefield’. However, so few runners take that route that it’s a perception that will linger until jockeys and trainers decide that it’s not necessary a ‘roadblock’.

Apprentice Jason Gates ignored all, sticking to the outside rail on the Brett Crawford-trained Hashtagthemost, to cause another boil-over in the exotics. Spring Breeze was the ‘money’ horse but after looking dangerous a furlong out, she kept on one-paced for third as rank outsider Sheik’s Storm ran her out of second.

Louis Goosen held a strong hand in the Pinnacle Stakes and a trainer in form coupled with a jockey in form, made no mistakes. Anton Marcus kept the favourite just off the pace as stable companion Effortless Reward set a good pace, before pouncing when it mattered. Vision To Kill, who did not enjoy the best of the Cape Summer, found some of her best form to pressure Captain’s Gal, but it was a little too late.

The two teamed up again in the seventh with Marcus having to work a lot harder on the favourite. Asked about the early pedestrian pace Goosen replied, “when you have got Anton on you don’t have to worry.”

Siberian Husky, after a local warm-up on the poly, ran out a convincing winner of the last to give Brett Crawford a double, running on strongly to beat the Lafferty pair of White Lightning and top weight Our Coys with pacemaker Jet Stream staying on for the shallow end of the purse.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and it is competitive so the exotics look to be the best way to play it. 

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Epic Dream has a touch of class and has speed too so is going to be hard to beat in an otherwise uninspiring field. Jackpot Jewel made a good debut and should improve but he was just over a length behind Summer House over 1160m and the latter wears a tongue tie for the first time so could confirm the form.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an interesting Assessment Plate over 1200m. Dancing Queen and Ouro are the best in at the weights but the one who will definitely stay all the way to the line is Lady Lexington. She has a tough task at the weights according to official merit ratings but has a nice big action and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement so could cause an upset. Dancing Queen started with an inside draw last time and ended on the outside when only managing fourth despite starting at odds of 8/11. She tries 1200m for the first time and on pedigree will get the trip.

Heaven’s Reward won her first two starts over this trip and can bounce back to her best in her third run after a layoff as she was a close up fourth last time over 1400m to three horses who went on to compete in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, including the useful Ronnie’s Candy. Ouro was a touch unlucky last time when just 2,35 lengths behind Running Brave over 1100m and the latter went on to finish a close second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas over her preferred mile trip. She is impossible to ignore and must be included in the Pick 6. Rock A Roll Dancer is also a promising sort and is the dark horse in the race over a suitable trip, although it is her second run after a layoff.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Generous Notion struck as one with ability from day one and should be coming into her own now. Last time she had a tough high draw on the Turffontein Inside track and ran on late for a close up third to a former Cape Town horse with some fair form. This race is now down the straight and she is off the same mark, although any draw bias mist be monitored on the day as she has a high draw. Sporting Monarch was another one who made an impression from day one as he has speed and the ability to stay on. He won when dropped as low as a 67 merit rating but off his current 72 he is still well handicapped on his best form and should be involved, although he has a low draw so hopefully that side does not have a disadvantage on the day. Torio Lake is by Oratorio out of the useful Grade 3-winning sprinter Purple Lake so he is interesting dropped down to this trip. He stays 1400m and should be finishing fast. However, it is a competitive event and punters should go as wide as possible.

In the sixth race over 1100m Purple Diamond won the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m as a two-year-old but became disappointing. His merit rating has dropped into the low 80s and in his last three runs he has been competitive in sprints from 1000-1200m. He finished well over 1000m last time so should enjoy the extra 100m and looks to be the one to beat. He is only 1kg better off with Great Shaka for a 1,4 length beating over 1000m although the latter would have preferred this to have been over 1000m again. Copper Jay is ultra consistent and should enjoy this trip. Danza was thought to be best at 1400m until his last start when winning easily over 1200m. However, he does have a six point merit rated raise to contend with which will not be easy at the age of six. Donny G is half-a-kilogram better off with Great Shaka for a 0,4 length beating so also has to be included in a competitive race.

The seventh is an Assessment Plate over 1000m and the two stand outs are Dewali and Summer Afternoon. The former won his maiden over this trip by four lengths and followed up with a good effort behind a promising sort. On the downside he has not run since September. Summer Afternoon is joint best in at the weights with Dewali and this Trippi filly won well on debut before not being disgraced behind Running Brave last time. Those two should it fight out and Topmast is the one who could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.

The next race over 1600m could be won by Believe Me, who in the typical style of a Silvano filly is coming into her own as a four-year-old. She should enjoy this step up to mile and can continue to progress. Abelie went close first time out the maidens over 1700m and will also be involved. Samarra has been competitive since her merit rating has dropped into the 60s and the front-running tactics worked well last time over 1400m. She stays this trip and should be thereabouts despite being given a four point raise. 

The last leg is a Maiden and it should be fought out by Fire And Rescue and Humour Me, who have both shown promise and are distance suited. Maroon Bells has plenty of scope and if there is to be an upset he is the most likely candidate to cause it.

By David Thiselton

Adrian Todd is aiming to have South Africa opened up for direct equine exports to Europe within the next six months but he stresses that he needs further government help to achieve this long-awaited goal.

Todd, former boss of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and for the past 18 months managing director of South Africa Equine Health and Protocols, spelt out his considerable progress in an interview with James Goodman on Monday night’s Winning Ways.

He said: “I am confident we will achieve this (unrestricted horse exports) before a year and I am shooting at trying to get it all sorted out by June.”

Todd was appointed to head SAEHP by Chris van Niekerk (the initial chairman) in 2017 with Mike de Kock also a director. Since then Van Niekerk has taken a back seat and Brian Finch has become chairman. De Kock is still on the board but has been joined by a number of prominent people in the industry including Summerhill Stud boss Mick Goss.

Equine exports to Europe, and indeed to the rest of the world, have been repeatedly banned as a result of African Horse Sickness outbreaks and in recent years the only way out has been via an extended quarantine period in Mauritius.

Todd stressed that he has had a lot of help from the South African government but what he needs now is an audit of the protocols by the European Union’s veterinary officials.

He said: “We have a protocol in place with Hong Kong but it is under temporary suspension. However the minute we start trading with the EU other countries will come on line. The world looks to the EU which is considered a gold standard.

“What we need now from government is a final political push to get the EU to come here and to get them to reinstate our direct trade. For the first time ever I believe we are in a position to pass an EU audit and government also feels confident that we will pass.

”If we do so the next thing that will happen is that a report will be lodged with the EU veterinary commission and it could take six to eight weeks for the report to be finalised.”

Todd is fully aware of the possible pitfalls between here and what has for so long seemed as elusive as the end of the rainbow. He knows that some countries are still not fully convinced that South African horses will not bring African Horse Sickness with them.

“For the first time I believe we are on the brink but the last thing we need is for a concerned foreign industry within the EU to lobby against us even if we pass the audit.”

This is what happened before when bloodstock agent Grant Pritchard-Gordon (now also a member of the CTS yearling inspection team) tried to promote South Africa’s cause only to be shot down by the British TBA.

Todd believes that this is South Africa’s moment and that there will only be one chance. “If we don’t get it right this time we can forget about it for a generation and, if we don’t get it, we are in serious trouble. South Africa must export and we now need the audit. We also need this final (government) push to get the EU here. For the first time we are on the brink.”

The Australian was a big success at CTS but if he pulls this one off he will transform the fortunes of South Africa’s dwindling band of thoroughbred breeders and allow our best horses to fly the flag around the world. He will also warrant a place in racing’s Hall Of Fame.

By Michael Clower

After much huffing, puffing and cursing infections, Louis Goosen’s Ashburton yard has turned the corner wonderfully and he holds a strong hand with four runners in the eighth race at Scottsville today, a competitive Pinnacle Stakes sprint where he saddles four runners.

Best could be Captain’s Girl who is overdue another win. The mare is quick and well suited to this trip. She was run out of it late by stable companion Di Mazzio last time out but that was over 1200m and with red-hot Anton Marcus aboard she will be much better suited to the Scottsville short-cut.

Doug Campbell has a smart filly in Val-La-Ree who is way better than her last run on the poly and could prove the biggest threat. Her best form has been over course and distance and she is reasonably well weighted here. Goosen’s other runners include the diminutive but speedy Hashtag Strat, Winter Blues and Effortless Reward who does have issues but is capable on her day. She gets 9kg and more from her rivals and wears blinkers for the first time. She could be the surprise package.

The regally bred Mela Stregata took some time to get off the mark for Duncan Howells and proved expensive to follow. Her ability may not match up to her pedigree but blinkers appear to have brought out the best in her and she can follow up especially as the form of her Maiden win worked out well with Extravargant winning next time out. But the latter has a 2kg swing in the weights and with Marcus up and can turn the tables. Of the balance, Amber Furst goes well on the grass although she has a big weight. The blinkers come off Spring Breeze who does seem better than her recent form and is certainly way better than her last showing.

The seventh is a competitive fillies maiden where Anuchke’s Wings could prove the pick. Glen Kotzen’s runner made a smart debut last month and should enjoy the extra. She appears to have plenty if improvement to come and meets a weak field. Marcus teams up with the Goosen-trained Unilateral who was a beaten favourite last time out but has some fair recent form. Marcus stays with the mount which may prove significant.

Turkish Lira made good improvement at her second start and should much prefer this trip judged on her pedigree while Belle Of Paris finished ahead of Unilateral last time out and has improved at recent outings which should give her a chance in this company.

A useful field lines up in the last where Jet Stream is back over a more suitable trip but he is a young horse in a handicap which will make it difficult even though he is progressive. Techno Captain is not the easiest but is useful on his day. Paul Gadsby’s gelding has dropped in the handicap and races in earmuffs.  Stable companion Arrow’s Mark was running on strongly in his first run out of the maidens and is another to consider along with White Lightning who is way better than his last effort and the extra should suit. He is one to watch.

She’s A Dream and Girl In Gold are up for auction on the Shongweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month and many a prospective buyer will be looking to their performances in the fourth.

Both have talent but have been disappointing although, Girl In Gold finally landed a second win last time out.

However, both will need to get past top weight Miss Smarty Pants who improves with every outing and won well in a useful field last time out. She has a fair weight but can go in again. Samsara is a four-time winner having her first local run. She comes off some fair Cape Town form and Garth Puller has engaged Marcus for the ride, suggesting that she cannot be left out of any calculations.

By Andrew Harrison

Three-time South African Champion jockey Anthony Delpech said the feeling of loss he felt when finally forced to retire from the saddle last week was difficult to explain, although he was able to look back on a glittering career.

“Something that was a part of you is gone, you feel robbed. I was used to getting up in the morning to go to work and now I don’t know what to do with myself, but if you try and explain your feelings to people they just don’t understand.”

Even as he spoke he was in pain and something as routine as putting on shoes is now avoided if possible.

There is a burning sensation in his leg, hands and arms, with the leg being particularly noticeable.

“It feels as if somebody has rubbed deep heat on my leg down to my feet.”

Delpech started workriding again a couple of weeks ago and hoped this would help his path to recovery.

He rode a couple of horses the first day back and the burning in his leg got worse.

In a subsequent session he upped the number he rode by one or two and the burning got so bad he could hardly bear to have his riding breeches on.

His doctor advised him later that day to never ride a horse again as it was putting more pressure on the spine.

Delpech said, “I went in that day not realising it was going to be the end so it was really hard.”

However, he had to put his family responsibilities first and heeded the advice.

Doctors told him after his shocking fall in the SA Classic in April last year he would likely never ride again. However, his own doctor had seen how badly he wanted to get back in the saddle and had given him every opportunity to do so. Delpech tried everything from oxygen therapy to physiotherapy to chiropractic treatment and other methods in his bid to recover.

He said one of the hardest parts in accepting his fate was that despite being 50 years of age he felt he had been riding better than ever at the time of the fall. He said he owed this partly to Mary Slack, who had retained him for two years.

He said, “It was two of the best years of my career, I felt rejuvenated, it was like having a new job and I couldn’t wait to get to work to see which new horses of Mary’s there were. She has been behind me throughout this ordeal and has contacted me at least once a week.”

Asked what he would miss most he said, “To me the horses were always the most important and of course I will miss the riding too. Towards the end I appreciated even the maiden winners. I will miss the people too, the owners have been fantastic.”

His highlights were too many to mention, but he singled out his four Vodacom Durban July victories and every win he had on Vengeance Of Rain. He rated the latter the best horse he ever rode and among the races he won on him were Hong Kong’s biggest race, the Hong Kong Derby, and the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

In South Africa he said Triple Tiara, July and Met-winner Igugu was one of the best fillies he ever rode.

His three South African Jockeys Championships were also highlights and he added, “Especially the last one, as I was a bit older and appreciated it a bit more. Even when I broke the record, I was young and so busy I didn’t really appreciate it as much as I should have.”

The record he was speaking about was the staggering 334 winners he rode in the 1998/1999 season, which looks to be one of the safest records in South African sport.   

He mentioned “Muis” Roberts, Garth Puller, Basil Marcus, Jeff Lloyd and Anton Marcus among the many great jockeys he had ridden against.

He added, “Anton and I had a great rivalry for six years. We had great respect for each other and that competition is one of things I have missed most.”

Mike de Kock was naturally the trainer he will have the best memories of and he said, “I rode for him when I came back from Hong Kong on the recommendation of Kevin Shea. I had 99% of my success with him and learnt so much. He taught me a lot about racing and people and just about everything. I saw horses coming into his yard and how he could turn them around. Bold Silvano was one I will always remember, I am not saying he wasn’t good already, but the way he turned him around was phenomenal. In every sport there are those who have to work hard at what they do and those who are gifted and Mike was one of the most gifted people I have seen in horseracing. I didn’t used to say much or ask a lot I just watched to see what he did. I learnt so much and will take all that with me.”

Delpech has had such an emotional few days he has not yet began planning his next career move and admitted riding was all he knew.

He has had to learn to live with the pain and it is still not known whether this will ease or be permanent.

The public, owners and trainers have missed Delpech’s race riding skills and of course with Anton Marcus now dominating that intense rivalry has left a gap that is taking time to be filled.

By David Thiselton