Cape Town trainer Ronnie Sheehan died on Sunday evening after a long battle with emphysema. He was 82.

The son of a trainer in Bulawayo, he rode over 200 winners in what was then Rhodesia before increasing weight forced him to call it a day.

Ronnie Sheehan (hamishNIVENPhotography)

He was already developing the colourful character that made him such a favourite with almost everyone he met and he was to recall: “I was taking off 12lb in a week and soon I was a good advert for Belsen. But one day, despite walking seven miles, I found I could take off nothing so I told my father I couldn’t carry on riding.”

He took over the stables the next day but his career was nomadic to say the least. When Zambia started racing in 1963 he was invited to move there and he enjoyed considerable success. He returned to Bulawayo in 1967 but he and his wife weren’t happy there in the war years – “every time you went anywhere you had to drive in convoys with machine guns behind you.”

He didn’t like Johannesburg either when he moved south in 1975 and he switched to Port Elizabeth for a decade – “I won everything there but we were only racing for two grand a race.” In 1986 he moved to Cape Town before deciding to try Zimbabwe once more. “I trained there for seven years but they started to go mad pinching farms and, when I had to pay 1.3 trillion dollars for a beer, I knew it was time to get out.”

That was when he set up shop at Milnerton. His last big race winner was Captain Chaos in the 2015 Cape Nursery but the one who captured punters’ hearts was Isidingo, a horse with blistering speed who could never quite last home at Kenilworth but was almost unbeatable at Durbanville.

By Michael Clower

A grossly unfair consequence emanating from a false start being called at the Greyville meeting on Sunday would not have happened had the British racing rule pertaining to false starts been in place and the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) should look into either instituting this rule or having a rethink on what constitutes a false start.

On the other hand, the worst case scenario unravelled on Sunday. In another circumstance the horse that reared could have been the odds-on favourite and many would then have been aggrieved had a false start NOT been called, presuming the horse had then run unplaced.

However, if put to the vote, rules which lead to less false starts would likely be the winner because false starts invariably lead to false results. The relevant British Horseracing Authorities (BHA) rules, outlined later in this article, lead to a virtual absence of false starts in the UK.

In the sixth race on Sunday over 1000m Good Emperor reared as the starter pressed the button and the starter deemed it thus to have not had a fair start. A false start was duly called and the red flag was waved. However, being sprinters three of the horses were unable to be restrained and had to be scratched after running the full distance of the race. The connections of this trio, one of whom had travelled all the way from Johannesburg, thus lost out on potential prize money through no fault of their own horses. Good Emperor also had to be scratched as he was injured when rearing. The punters later felt aggrieved because among the horses who bolted was the original favourite That’s Life and in the five-runner re-start the new favourite Panza finished last and thus knocked many out of the Pick 6, PA and Jackpot.

In the NHA set of rules, rule 61.5.10.1 states: Should the starter consider that through any faulty action of the starting gates or from any other cause, a fair start has not been effected, he may declare a “no start”.

There is no further addendum defining what “any other cause” is allowed to be. It is simply left to the discretion of the starter.

Anywhere in the world the starter should not press the button if a horse is up on its feet. However, a problem occurs when the horse rears a split second before the starter presses the button. In South Africa the starter has the power to rectify this mistake by immediately declaring a false start.

The starter does not have this power in Britain.

In the British Horseracing Authorities (BHA) rule book there is a special rule, rule 38, headed “False starts.”

The first part of this rule states:

38.1 The Starter may declare a false start

38.1.1 if he considers that through any faulty action of a starting gate or a starting stall a fair start has not been effected,
38.1.2 when a horse has broken away before the race has been declared Off, or
38.1.3 if, for safety reasons, the Starter releases the tape of the starting gate but does not intend to start the race. 

Thus in Britain a horse rearing at the last moment is treated the same as a horse dwelling or mis-timing the break; it is its own fault and there is no sympathy.

In South Africa, in the event of a false start not being called, there is provision in the current NHA rules to deal with horses who have been later adjudged to have suffered unfair starts. These horses are then declared non-runners provided they do not run in the first four. However, this rule itself is controversial and can never please all parties concerned.

In Sunday’s scenario the British rule would have worked well and prevented the calamity that ensued, because the only horse who would have lost out would have been Good Emperor. He had to be scratched before the re-start anyway and might have been declared a non-runner as the starter should in theory not have pressed the button when the horse was up on its feet. Furthermore, he was an outsider, so not many punters would have even noticed his non-participation.

However, there are other circumstances where the British rule would not have worked well. For example, the day Variety Club backed out of his stall as the starter pressed the button in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate. There would have been pandemonium that day had a false start not been called.

Whichever way it is looked at, the rules pertaining to starts can never please everybody in every scenario and they are always going to one of the most controversial aspects of racing. It should also be remembered that the NHA have to take into account the general culture of the game’s fan base. In Britain many fans simply have a love of the horse and the sport of racing whereas in South Africa betting is the dominant culture. This could be the reason the starter is given more power out here i.e. to protect the punter, but it could be argued that these powers have become counter-productive as there appear to be too many false starts. The NHA could at least take a harsher stance against horses whose quirks cause their own downfall. They could also perhaps take the distance of the race into account when allowing the starter the leeway. In 1000m races a false start will almost certainly lead to several scratchings. However, in middle distance races the horses are a lot easier to stop. The incorporation of the British rule, or a variation of it, should also at least be put on the table for discussion.

By David Thiselton

Glen Kotzen, 53 today, should be able to celebrate in style at Durbanville where he has a favourite and two second favourites among his nine runners.

The man who won South African racing’s greatest prize with Big City Life nine years ago is renowned for his cheerful optimism – a valuable commodity in a racehorse trainer as it inspires and attracts owners – and he has been in Grade 1-winning mood with his Sun Met hope Eyes Wide Open in each of the last two seasons.

Glen Kotzen

Today’s runners are highly unlikely to reach anywhere near that level but there is a lot to like about Sacred Night in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden. Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount has a plum draw and last time’s third to Carlas Mambo suggests (on a line through Vascostreetractor) that he should beat Gallagher. The selection opened favourite at 28-10 and probably has most to fear from the Ramsden runner Cash Call (33-10) who might well have finished closer than fourth on his most recent outing – Donovan Dillon reported that he felt something was amiss with the gelding.

Kotzen has also booked Fayd’Herbe for 11-2 shot Blush Scarlet in the first but stable companion Trap Queen has a better chance on the book and according to World Sports Betting which is quoting the filly joint second favourite at 9-2.

However the vote goes to the Justin Snaith-Richard Fourie combination of Spirit Festival who is favourite at 3-1 on the strength of last time’s second over a furlong less here. Hero’s Daughter (9-2) made a promising debut when unfancied four weeks ago and will have come on for that but her 13 draw is major disadvantage. Aziri Sun, also trained by Brett Crawford, should not be far away.

Despite having to give lumps of weight all round – including a whopping 5.5kg to the one-time Algoa Cup hope Ollivander – Kampala Campari looks good for the TAB Telebet Handicap (race two). He was beaten less than three lengths when sixth in the Matchem. That was his first race for three months and he races off the same mark.

Candice Bass-Robinson is responsible for three of the other four runners. Aldo Domeyer is on Ollivander but Ontenderhooks and Pacific Chestnut also have high class pilots in Fourie and Ryan Munger. Kampala Campari, though, remains a confident selection.

Victory for Troop The Colour in the Play Soccer 6 Handicap would be a fitting tribute to Ronnie Sheehan. Last time’s effort was a little disappointing but Domeyer’s mount looks worth an interest.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal is back in racing condition and the Inside track stages a meeting of eight maidens for Workrider’s tomorrow.

The first race over 1000m can be won by Cosmic Mist if she jumps on terms. The first-timer Sail De Lago, a Sail From Seattle filly who is from the family of the great thirteen-time Grade 1 winner Serena’s Song, and the improving See You Tyger can pick up the pieces if she doesn’t.

Sean Tarry

In the second over 1000m two horses returning from layoffs could fight it out, the consistent Tommy The Builder and Sugoi, who is by the disappointing sire Noordhoek Flyer but he is strongly built and shows speed and was not far behind some of the best of his age group back in February. The speedily bred Glass Castle can also be included.

In the third race Pink looks the best bet on the card as she should relish the step up in trip, although Welsh Pagan by Bold Silvano is a half-sister to the dam of Edict Of Nantes and is an interesting contender.

The fourth race over 1400m could be won by the improved Dynajet from pole position, although Away Game by Var out of Summer Cup winner Flirtation has to be considered and Pelican Bay is also capable.

The fifth race over 1600m is a weak affair and Gaelebale is tipped if the removal of blinkers can see him jumping better and returning to his best. Duology is an interesting first-timer by Twice Over and To The Regiment can improve with a drop in trip and a tongue tie on.

In the sixth race over 1600m Durban Bourbon returns from a six month layoff but if performing close to her last run she is the one to beat. Generoso has her 32^nd start and can go close if it pans out for her and Candela is capable of a flying finish.

In the seventh over 1800m pole position-drawn Irish Wonder Girl makes plenty of appeal despite carrying 1kg overweight and could be a banker. The risk averse can include Eternal Summer and Stormbourne Thunder.

The last race over 1800m sees the return of the frustrating Agent Kay, but he has been gelded which could make a difference. He could fight it out with Flattley. The Litigator by Master Of My Fate out of a Dynasty mare also has to be considered.

By David Thiselton

Image: Sean Tarry is the trainer of Flattley, who runs in the last race at the Vaal tomorrow.

Pace, or the lack of it, is most often the deciding denominator when it comes to races over ground and Warfarer and Mark Khan took full toll of a sedate early pace in the Michaelmas Handicap (Listed) at Greyville yesterday, the Lezeanne Forbes-trained gelding getting home a length clear of the opposition with two short-heads separating the next three home.

With front-running Run Rhino Run a scratching, there was always doubt about the pace and so it proved as Celtic Captain was a reluctant leader from New Fort. The cheek pieces did not appear to have any noticeable effect on favourite American Landing who was one-paced throughout and tracked by Roy Had Enough.

By the time Anton Marcus realised that he was following the wrong horse, it was too late as Khan had skipped clear on Warfarer who was the one runner that was over his ideal trip.

Sabina’s Dynasty finished her race off strongly but just failed to catch Roy Had Enough while the three-year-old Marchingontogether, was a creditable fourth given that he was way out at the weights.

Warfarer (Candiese Marnewick)

Can You Feel It, bred and owned by Michael Leaf, was the biggest certainty to look through a bridal and she didn’t let her supporters down. Gareth van Zyl’s filly was probably the highest rated maiden in the country before yesterday and Warren Kennedy took no prisoners. He bounced his mount to the front from the break and once in the straight let her run along in his hands. Can You Feel It was easily 10 lengths clear before being geared down to win by five at the prohibitive odds of 1-8.

Wendy Whitehead scored a back-to-back double with Hard To Play showing a tremendous turn of foot to land the Pinnacles Stakes and Rocking Ruby finishing too strongly for the opposition in the next.

The luckless Dawn Calling picked up the lead some 300m out with the balance of the field off the bit, all except Hard To Play. Once Stuart Randolph released the brake, Hard To Play sailed past the filly as if he had jumped in at the furlong pole.

Randolph and Whitehead teamed up again in the next with Rocking Ruby getting the better of Victory Trip with Shwanky driving home from last in the straight to snatch third.

Backing first timers against seasoned opposition is always risky. Experience counts for much, be it man or beast, and the cash went out the window in the card opener as the heavily backed first timer Coldhardcash raced all at sea.

In a race laced with speed it was always going to be difficult and with a strong tailwind to help them home the filly Miss J and the visiting Pearl Of Siberia kept at it up the straight with Miss J getting her nose in front where is mattered.

Coldhardcash will live to fight another day and judged on this effort, a mile may be more should be within his compass.

The sixth race field was reduced to just five runners after a false start. Good Emperor reared up just as the gates were released and the starter called a false start. However, Noble Duke, That’s Life and Seventh Sun galloped the course in spite of their rider’s efforts to restrain them and Good Emperor was found to have injured himself in the gate and was also taken out.

After the re-start, Warren Kennedy set Royalsecuritypower alight from the jump and kept Kom Naidoo’s gelding running all the way to the line in spite of the best efforts from his rivals. The remarkable eight-year-old took his winning tally to nine from 68 starts.

Paul Gadsby opened and closed the meeting with Arrow’s Mark getting home under a smart ride from apprentice Luke Ferraris who scored his 28^th winner of this season, surpassing the 26 he notched last season.

By Andrew Harrison