David Thiselton

WSB 1900 winner She’s A Keeper will almost certainly be included in the top 18 of the next Vodacom Durban July log, despite officially having a rating of just 96, and the progressive second and third-placed horses, the Alyson Wright-trained Matterhorn and the MJ Odendaal-trained Shavout, also warrant consideration.

The Grade 2 WSB 1900 is one of the four races alongside the Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup, the Grade 3 Cup Trial and the Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap, in which the winner enjoys preferential consideration for the final VDJ field.  

However, this year’s WSB 1900 dished up one of the strangest qualifying race results in July history because the trio that finished well clear of the rest were officially the three worst rated horses in the field.

She’s A Keeper’s merit rating has continually been capped by handicap guideline restrictions and race conditions.

However, the anomaly of Sunday’s race is that if only the the first three horses are considered she did not run any better than the capped 96 rating she has been given, but if the rest of the field is considered the first three home all ran way above their ratings.

The bare result shows four-year-old She’s A Keeper, carrying 50kg off a 90 merit rating, beating four-year-old Matterhorn, carrying 54kg off a 100 rating, by 0,90 lengths, with three-year-old Shavout, carrying 52kg off an 87 rating, a further 0,80 lengths behind.

However, She’s A Keeper was officially 4kg under sufferance with the best weighted Doublemint, who was in 19th place on the first VDJ log, and beat him by 9,15 lengths; Matterhorm was 3kg under sufferance with Doublemint and beat him by 8,25 lengths and three-year-old Shavout was a whopping 10kg under sufferance with Doublemint and beat him by 7,45 lengths. The trio were also well clear of 4,60 length fourth-placed Crown Towers, who was in 17th place on the first VDJ log, and  even further clear of 20th placed Tristful and a street clear of Zillaal, who was among the five horses just outside of the top 20.

The WSB race conditions state that the winner can not be raised more than six merit rated points and placed horses can not be raised at all.    

She’s A Keeper was duly raised six points to 96 and Matterhorn and Shavout remain on 100 and 87 respectively, so the inclusion of all three will give the log an unusual look.        

The result has certainly provided a headache for the VDJ log panellists.

The first VDJ log is shown below.

  Vodacom Durban July Log as at 13 May 2021  

1 RAINBOW BRIDGE              (6G)                 Eric Sands                               134

2 LINEBACKER                        (3G)                 Vaughan Marshall                 124

3 WAR OF ATHENA                (3F)                  Paul Matchett                         122

4 GOT THE GREENLIGHT        (4C)                 Joe Soma                                124

5 BELGARION                         (5G)                 Justin Snaith                         130

6 DO IT AGAIN                       (6G)                 Justin Snaith                         129

7 GOLDEN DUCAT                  (4G)                 Eric Sands                               128

8 SECOND BASE                     (3G)                 J A Janse van Vuur                122

9 KOMMETDIEDING               (3C)                 HWJ Crawford/M Rix 120

10 NETTA                                (3F)                  Paul Peter                                120

11 RUSSIAN ROCK                  (3C)                 Dean Kannemeyer                  119

12 SOVEREIGN SPIRIT            (5G)                 Candice Bass-Robin               124

13 PRINCESS CALLA               (3F)                  Adam Marcus                         118

14 RUNNING BRAVE              (5M)                Fanie Bronkhorst                     119

15 CIRILLO                              (5H)                 Sean Tarry                               120

16 RASCALLION                      (3G)                 Vaughan Marshall                 111

17 CROWN TOWERS             (5G)                 Justin Snaith                            115

18 EXPRESSFROMTHEUS       (4G)                 Stuart Pettigrew                      122

…………………..

19 DOUBLEMINT                    (6G)                 Justin Snaith                            118

20 TRISTFUL                            (5G)                 Tony Rivalland                        113

Next 5 in alphabetical order

ATYAAB (AUS)                        (5G)                 Zietsman Oosthuize               115

THE GATEKEEPER                   (3C)                 Justin Snaith                            110

TIERRA DEL FUEGO                (5H)                 Sean Tarry                               116

TRIP TO AFRICA                      (4G)                 Duncan Howells                     114

ZILLZAAL                                (5G)                 Sean Tarry                               116

David Thiselton

JUSTIN SNAITH, seeking a record equalling fourth Vodacom Durban July in succession, has mentioned the possibility of an overseas jockey being booked and he also has Piere Strydom, who is seeking a record equalling fifth July win, in mind.

His two confirmed July riders are stable jockey Richard Fourie and S’Manga Khumalo. Fourie has ridden three July winners and will be attempting to become the first jockey to win it three years in a row.

Khumalo has ridden one July winner.

However, Snaith said no specific jockey had been booked for any specific horse yet.

He did not mention the name of the overseas rider he had in mind.

He said about Strydom, “He is currently under-utilised but is world class, he is always be an option for us.”

Strydom is currently resting on doctor’s advice due to an eye problem which should not keep him out for long. 

Snaith believes he has a virtually impossible task this year taking on the well handicapped five-time Grade 1-winner Got The Greenlight.

He said he is also battling a bug in his Summerveld string.

He said, “I am not saying anybody is right or wrong all I am saying is I don’t understand how a horse like Sovereign Spirit can be merit rated the same as Got The Greenlight? What it seems is being said is Johannesburg horses are second rate. Malmoos and Summer Pudding were being talked about as world beaters but this, after just one below par run, no longer seems to be the case.”

Looking at the equation on paper, Belgarion beat Got The Greenlight in last year’s July at level weights and he now has to give the latter 3kg, meaning, taking weight for age into account, an effective swing of 4.5kg for a 0,80 length beating. 

The handicappers did actually make a valiant attempt to raise Got The Greenlight’s merit rating to a mark which is more in line with his ability after his Premier’s Champions Challenge win and managed to get him up to a 128. However, this was scuppered by an appeal board, who used the “line horse” theory to justify their decision of putting him back to his original 124. 

Meanwhile, Sovereign Spirit, who earned his only Grade 1 cheque when finishing a well beaten third in the Cape Town Met, will be 3kg better off  with Belgarion for a 2,25 lengths.

Snaith continued, “We have been handed an impossible task but it is what it is and we have overcome the impossible before.”

Snaith added, “There is a bit of a bug going around Summerveld, but nothing serious, and we are working on it. Each carded horse has to pass a few tests otherwise we scratch.” 

He said a number of his string had returned from their races sick or with their bloods a bit off and had to be put on medication. 

They included The Gatekeeper, High Hosanna, Speed Machine and Crown Towers, while Do It Again was not a hundred percent and Belgarion was scratched before the WSB 1900 because of an abnormal blood count.     

Snaith concluded by saying the July was going to be an “interesting race” and that the Daily News 2000 was going to be a big pointer.

Responding to the belief of many a pundit that he had overrated Daily News entry The Gatekeeper, whom he was speaking of as his July horse earlier this season, he said, “He is still maturing and my opinion should be judged at the end of my horses’ careers.”  

Andrew Harrison

LOOK FOR HOUNDS’ gelding often does wonders to transform an under-performing colt into a competitive gelding and that could be the case for Look For Hounds and Lions Head who take part in the fifth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.

Both horses met last time out with little more than a neck separating them at the line behind Maitland Magic. The pair also go this 1900m trip for the first time but should see it out comfortably.

Both are expected to come on from those efforts but they do face a competitive field and a win will be no ‘gimme’.

Vaughan Marshall has had a cracking Champions Season so far and Look For Hounds could prove the pick of the pair as he was running on stoutly at the business end.

Dean Kannemeyer almost pulled off a shock when Sir Michael ran Do It Again close on Sunday and his Summerveld yard appears to be hitting form again.

Lions Head was also making late progress in that race and there should be very little separating the pair again today.

Magical Midlands will have his supporters after running the well thought of Tread Swiftly close last time out. He was always handy and should make a race of it again.

Ibutho tries for a winning hat-trick and Fight Song is at home over the trip and has a money chance.

Raiseahallelujah is an entry for the Gr1 Daily News 2000 but given current merit ratings I think he was more of an optimistic entry by Gavin van Zyl and he looks to have a better chance of following up on his maiden win in the sixth this afternoon.

A better option may be Banzai Pipeline who was never in the hunt from a difficult draw last start. He had some smart form before that and with the Garth Puller stable in mustard form of late, he can do better over this shorter trip. Raiseahallelujah finally shed his maiden after showing frustratingly consistent form before that. It must be said that he was a comfortable winner and with a little confidence gained he could follow up. Baymax has patchy Highveld form but is useful on his day and the poly could see a change of fortunes. One who has taken to the poly is Pueraria’s Cowboy that made all the running to win over course and distance last time out.

In all punters face another testing card.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is particularly tricky with a host of runners in with chances.

Glen Kotzen was cautiously up-beat about the chances of Gayleactic Star at her last outing when taking on stronger and she was far from disgraced, finishing just two lengths off the winner. That was her first crack on the poly and the step down in trip should suit along with a claiming apprentice up.

The list of possible winners is a lengthy one with Window To Africa, Gauteng raider Wine Tasting, Retail Therapy and Beat It all contenders.

Race four could provide some relief with Rain Wear and Hiroshima the most likely contenders for top honours.  Rain Wear has been knocking at the door of late and first-time blinkers could finally see her break the ice. Hiroshima has been coming along the right way and was a promising second last run.

The seventh is another difficult handicap. Ferrari Ice put in a much better last run in useful company and may now be looking for this trip. Chewbaca had a lengthy lay-off before making a smart return to the track.  He is lightly raced but appears to have found himself. Mambo Symphony loves the poly and the distance. He was narrowly beaten last run and did not get a penalty. Gavel Strike is never far back and has come good on the poly while stable companion Assured was not far back in good company on his handicap debut and must be considered.

In the last, Hamsa Grove has been on good form on the poly. This will be her third run after a break and she should be at her peak. Miss Charlotte has been rested but has come good on the poly and loves this trip. Aalsmeer is in good form and way overdue. From a plum draw she should be right there along with Boogie Shoes who should enjoy the step up in trip.

David Thiselton

NOORESH JUGLALL’S passing has been difficult to accept for many in racing but in the aftermath South African industrymen all had similar sentiments about a man whose professional approach never compromised his humble nature and polite and friendly demeanour. 

Juglall’s best achievement in South Africa was riding the Ormond Ferraris-trained Cherry On The Top to Triple Tiara glory.

He also rode two Graded winners for five-times national champion trainer Sean Tarry and the latter said, “Nooresh was affiliated to our yard from his early days as an apprentice at Clairwood and I was very fond of him because of his mannerisms. He was kind, polite and humble but at the same time was very strong, he had an aura about him. He had the world at his feet and is a massive loss to the industry and it is a tragedy for his family. You can’t put it in words and it happening to a salt of the earth person who added value wherever he went makes it even harder to accept. As a rider, to have been entrusted by a trainer of the stature of Ormond Ferraris while an apprentice to partner a Triple Tiara winner says it all. The two Graded winners he had for us were aboard The Mouseketeer and Purple Diamond and were the pinnacle achievements of both horses’ careers, so he must have given them perfect rides (Grade 2 Emerald Cup and Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe respectively).”

SA Jockey Academy (SAJC) principal Graham Bailey recalled, “He was goal driven, hard working and well mannered so there was no doubt from the word go he was going to be successful. He signed his race-riding papers at the end of 2009 and within three months had ridden his first winner on the Roy Magner-trained Shine The Gold on March 16, 2010. It is an extremely sad time and he is a huge loss to the industry and an incredible loss to his family.”

Juglall was selected by the Mauritius Turf Club for enrollment at SAJC and they covered the costs. He was SA champion apprentice in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 and broke the record for the most winners by an apprentice in a season in the latter term, 101. That was also the season of his Triple Tiara success.

Donovan Dillon was two years behind Juglall at the Academy and said, “We rode together in an apprentice international in Qatar, I was riding for South Africa and he was riding for Mauritius. We went out for dinner together on all three nights and became good friends. He was a humble down to earth person but no pushover, a true champion.”

Juglall was particularly close to contemporaries Keagan de Melo and Tristan Godden and the latter pair were distinctly  emotional during the guard of honour held at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.  

Juglall rode many winners for the Mike and Adam Azzie yard and they said, “The Azzie Racing Team pays tribute to a remarkable young man with the determination to not only become a champion jockey but more importantly to make a statement that a ‘small town boy’ can achieve anything with the right mindset, credo, self-belief and ambition. From the very beginning, Nooresh made it apparent that he was on a mission, not only for himself but for his family and his country, both of which were always paramount in his heart and mind.”  

Legendary jockey Piere Strydom rode against Juglall in Mauritius and said, “I didn’t get to know him well on a personal level but he was the sort who would open up to anyone, a very friendly and likeable person. He was a very good rider but what was so nice about him was after an interference issue he was always humble and never aggressive. He had a nice gentlemanly spirit.”

Mauritian Georgie Buchanan, a KZN-based racing owner, is very saddened. She recalled Nooresh arriving in his red jodhpurs to ride work for the Corinne Bestel yard as an apprentice at Clairwood. She said, “I said you must have got those from Mauritius and from that day we always had a chat in French whenever we saw each other. He then went up to Johannesburg and we lost touch but I go over to Mauritius quite often and it was so exciting to bump into him at the training track on occasion and catch up. Then his little big brother Tejash (younger but bigger than Nooresh) arrived and we said we must put him on Blaze Of Silk. We were thrilled when he finished third. But it was very exciting when we put him on again a couple of months later. Nooresh was in KZN and traveled up to Scottsville especially to watch his little big brother and he won the race! “

Juglall rode successfully in Singapore from 2014 to 2019. 

He is the reigning champion jockey in Mauritius. 

David Thiselton

THE lack of a KZN Vodacom Durban July contender was lamented when the betting first came out but that all changed at Hollywoodbets Greyville today when the Gareth van Zyl-trained She’s A Keeper powered home in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900 under Warren Kennedy.

The four-year-old Gimmethegreenlight filly was admittedly carrying only 50kg and beat two rank outsiders in Matterhorn and Shavout but the conditions of the Vodacom Durban July state that the winner of the WSB 1900 is given “preferential consideration for inclusion in the final field”.

Under the conditions of the WSB 1900 the winner can only be raised six points, which means she will go up to a 96 and as things stand will be a whopping 11kg under sufferance in the big race.

However, the handicappers have had their hands tied by conditions and guidelines for just about everyone of her five wins and she proved today she is a lot better than her rating.

She was officially 4kg under sufferance with the two best weighted horses in today’s race, Trip To Africa and Doublemint, and beat them by 5,50 and 9,15 lengths respectively, and she was 2,5kg under sufferance with her chief market rival, fourth-placed Crown Towers, and beat him by 4,60 lengths.

Kennedy dropped She’s A Keeper out from a wide draw and took her to the rail.

Crown Towers enjoys striding out either in front or behind a strong pacemaker but his chances of doing either were scuppered by Shareholder on his inside rushing to the front and then slowing it up.

Crown Towers eventually ended up in behind Blackball, who had come around to sit on the flank of Shareholder, but he had not been able to use his big stride to stretch the field so could only plug on for fourth.

Meanwhile, She’s A Keeper, who was second last of the horses on the rail, used her terrific turn of foot at the top of the straight and burst through the centre to strike the front at the 300m mark.

She appears to have two similarities to her paternal half-brother Got The Greenlight, that terrific turn of foot being the first of them, and, like him, she seems to take her foot off the pedal once she has hit the front. She won more easily than the 0,90 length margin suggests as she was running around a bit in the closing stages, which was what she had also done when winning the Listed WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m in her previous start.

Nevertheless, Matterhorn, who ran on from last down the inside, and Shavout, who ran on from off the pace down the outside, will be warm orders in their next respective handicap starts, having given the winner 4kg and 2kg respectively and being beaten just 0,90 and 1,70 lengths.

She’s A Keeper was bred and is owned by the Missing U Syndicate, whose nominee is the pedigree guru Rob Knuppe, and his partner in the syndicate is Jonathan Connellan.

Gareth van Zyl, whose young career already includes a win in Durban’s second most famous race, The WSB Gold Cup, can now look forward to his first runner in the Vodacom Durban July. This is some feat considering She’s A Keeper only made her debut in mid-December this season.

Earlier, She’s A Keeper’s Scarlet Lady form was franked when the third and second horses, the Wendy Whitehead-trained Keep On Dancing and the Vaughan Marshall-trained Scented Mistress, finished first and second respectively in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup over 2000m. Kennedy also rode the winner in that race.

Vodacom Durban July champion Do It Again had put in a good pipe-opening run in the previous race when just getting up to win a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m under Richard Fourie.