With jockey Olivier Placais suspended, trainer Alwin Tan had been struggling to find a suitable replacement for Nova Strike in the $1 million Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) on Sunday, but the staging of an international jockeys challenge at Kranji next Tuesday has indirectly come to his rescue.

Team South Africa made up of Lyle Hewitson, Muzi Yeni and Aldo Domeyer are one of four squads doing battle in the inaugural Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge, but decided it would be nice to have a warm-up meeting two days earlier.

With their availability at the Raffles Cup meeting, the Springbok trio along with Australia’s Hugh Bowman have certainly helped plug the current dearth of jockeys, mainly through suspensions.

Muzi Yeni

Besides Placais, Alan Munro, Ryan Curatolo and Azhar Ismail are also out on Sunday while the other 13 Raffles Cup runners had already been paired with a senior jockey.

With Bowman already snapped up by Lee Freedman on Circuit Land, Tan had to pick among the three South Africans, and admitted he had heard precious little about the trio before.

After doing some research and going with the recommendation of a few connections familiar with South African racing, he plumped for Yeni.

“It’s been a tough job looking for a jockey for Nova Strike,” said Tan.

“At first, we thought of Franco Da Silva, who rode here at the KRA (Korea Racing Authority) Trophy meeting, but he told us he couldn’t confirm. In the end, he is riding Countofmontecristo for Michael Clements, but I did give him a ride on My Win in race two.

“There weren’t many jockeys left here with so many of them suspended. And then, I heard about the four jockeys coming up for the Raffles Cup.

“I didn’t really know them, but after checking their records, we decided Muzi Yeni would be a good fit. Nova Strike needs a strong rider and we saw from some of his past race videos how strong he was.

“The owners and myself are very happy to have booked him on Nova Strike.”

A 10-time winner, the six-year-old chestnut Red Giant has drawn seven and is up against an armada of big guns in the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, such as Jupiter Gold, Debt Collector, Circuit Land, Elite Invincible, Clarton Super, Elite Excalibur, Mr Clint, Countofmontecristo, Preditor, all proven Group winners, not to mention a South African Group 1 winner in the impressive Noah From Goa.

From Singapore Turf Club

The Turffontein Inside track stages a low key nine race meeting tomorrow and there look to be one or two opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1200m the most interesting runner is the first-timer three-year-old Elusive Fort colt, Monopolize, who is a half-brother to his Paul Peter-trained stablemate Maximizer. The latter is an imposing, front-running sort whose six wins, including a Listed race, range from 1400m to 1600m. Monopolize is described by Peter as a decent sort and he faces an uninspiring field so looks the one to side with. Sean Tarry’s first-timers can never be ignored and he introduces a colt by Pomodoro, who is proving to be an exciting sire. This colt is called Riga D’Ora and although costing only R60,000 he is out of a four-time winning Doowlay mare who is a half-sister to a stakes winner, so he could well be in the mix. The best of those to have run could be the improving Hartleyfour.

Gold Dawn (JC Photographics)

In the second race over 1200m Pink made a fair debut over this trip at the Vaal and horses from the Lucky Houdalakis yard invariably come on slowly but surely. Furthermore, she is drawn in pole and looks to have some pace. Fly Thought is an interesting first-timer and although she will need a lot further she could have the class to compete. She is by Philanthropist out of Grade 1 Paddock Stakes winner Badger’s Gift and she is a half-sister to two stakes-winning stayers.

In the third over 1600m Vega Vox is by the hitherto disappointing sire Noble Tune. However, the latter’s progeny should improve with age and over further so as she did well last time over 1400m she can improve again from a good draw over 1600m. The form of her last third place has been franked and she does not face an inspiring field. She looks hard to beat. Early Bird will relish the step up in trip as one who has a rangy action who plugged on debut. However, her wide draw makes it tough.

In the next race over 1600m Indy Ice looks a fair sort and was a touch unlucky last time over this. He will be hard to beat from a good draw, although Perfect Pursuit, who is a full brother to the SA Fillies Nursery winner King’s Temptress, has a nice action and could pose a threat over a step up in trip which might suit.

In the fifth, a handicap over 1600m, Gold Dawn is hard to beat on the form of her last race when close up in an Assessment Plate where she was way under sufferance. This Await The Dawn filly has always struck as one who would be progressive and she is now fulfilling that promise as a four-year-old.

In the sixth race over 1800m Skiminac came back from a layoff strengthened and improved and can follow up on that easy maiden win. However, Endofmarch has to be respected as one with decent form in the strongest centre of Cape Town. Aranjeuz is coming into his own and could also be involved.

In the seventh over 1450m Orapa once looked a promising sort in the making and he has his third run after a layoff over a step down in trip which will suit and off a mere 70 merit rating which is now attractive. This good looking Tiger Ridge gelding is made the value bet of the day. Rocky Night looks a fair sort and is the danger despite being a young three-year-old who has to run off a tough 85 merit rating. Melchizidek could represent good place value as a scopey sort who over raced last time after being slow away and rushed. This time he is well drawn and if he settles with cover he can earn.

The eighth is a tough race and punters should go as wide as possible.

The ninth sees the improved Mademoiselle going for a course and distance hattrick off just a two point higher mark than her last win. Her wide draw should not be a concern as she jumped from similar draws in her last two wins. Hear The Trumpet improved in third time blinkers to win her maiden well and from a plum draw could be thereabouts again.

By David Thiselton

Horse racing is widely touted as the ‘brain game’ when it comes to the leisure rand and for this reason for years it was the only legalised form of ‘gambling’ before lotto, scratch cards and casinos were given license.

The number of gambling zombies mesmerized by the pressing of buttons and staring at revolving screen images beggars belief. When they lose, which is often, they blame bad luck. Punters on horse racing can blame a myriad of other factors such as going – good or bad – bad jockeys, bad trainers or bad horses – they can also add to that their own bad judgement.

Mark Khan

The first night meeting of the new season sees racing switching to the Greyville poly and it will be a ‘brain test’ for punters who are faced with a tricky card.

Form for the first two races on the card is thin but Mark Khan, now a regular rider for Lezeanne Forbes, can get the evening off to a winning start when he partners Easy Ginger.

The filly showed good improvement when taking on winners last time out. Back in the maidens she should have a bright chance in a weak field. Danger could be Twice Over Satin who has only had a barrier trial but she put up a decent time and the ‘winner’ of that trial had some fair form behind his name.

In the second, Don’t Look Back improved nicely in blinkers at his second outing and that form has held up quite nicely. He should also be suited by the extra 300m. Paddington’s Luck is another that should enjoy the step up in trip and the stable is in excellent form.

When ever Johan Janse van Vuuren comes into town his horses invariably start favourite and that is the case in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The presence of Anton Marcus aboard Dreams Are Made adds to the filly’s appeal and she was a short at 17-10 yesterday. Second favourite is the Duncan Howells-trained Starlight. The daughter of Stagelight has a staying pedigree and should much prefer this trip to her debut sprint. The stable is also in form with a brace of winners at Scottsville on Wednesday.

Second Request, a facile winner of her maiden, has been priced up 6-10 favourite for the fourth although Sean Tarry’s filly is not the best weighted filly in this Graduation Handicap. Statute was a victim of her easy debut win and subsequent beating of the well-tried Miss Varlicious and was lumbered with a rather unrealistic merit rating of 98. She has dropped to a 91 for this race, in theory 5kg superior to Second Request, but has been forced to compete in tough company courtesy of her high rating. However, Michael Roberts steps her up to a mile tonight and she makes her poly debut.

Also in the line-up are two useful performers from Dean Kannemeyer’s Summerveld yard and both Miss Milanna and Mara warrant serious consideration.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but Marcus appears to have picked another plum in Fieldmarshal Fenix. The gelding has been knocking at the door for some time now and was only run out of it late last Sunday. He is back over his best trip and his consistency can be rewarded. Elusive Wolf has a big weight but is another overdue a win while Piaget Prince nearly caused a major boil-over when a close-up third at long odds last time out and the stable is starting to turn the corner.

Van Vuuren and Marcus team up with Penny Royal in the sixth but in another tricky filly’s handicap is only a luke warm favourite at 2-1 ahead of recent course and distance winner Call Me Winter.

Noemi was thrown in at the deep end when lining up for the Gr3 The Debutante at the end of last season but earned her place with smart win on debut. She takes on a lot weaker here but again it’s not a race to go light in, in the exotics.

It can test the nerves to rely in a banker in the last leg of an exotic bet but Benfontein will be a banker in many a bet. The gelding has not been out of the money since arriving in KZN from the Cape and with blinkers on for the first time he could have the measure of Putchini and Honest Prince.

By Andrew Harrison

CEO Rian du Plessis had tendered his resignation from Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited.

In a statement on the JSE news service on Tuesday, Phumelela said that Du Plessis had resigned for personal reasons.

“Rian has full confidence in the company’s executive management team, underlying business fundamentals and strategic direction,” reads the statement.

And as a further vote of confidence in the future success of Phumelela, Du Plessis has given the assurance that he will not consider disposing of any Phumelela shares held directly or indirectly by him, his family or otherwise in the foreseeable future.

Stepping in to take over the reins from Du Plessis is John Stuart, International Executive Director of Phumelela.

Stuart served his articles with KPMG before joining TAB KwaZulu-Natal in 1979 as Internal Auditor, and occupied various positions there before leaving in 1996 as Assistant General Manager. He then joined TAB Transvaal (transferred to Phumelela as part of the corporatisation process) in 1997 and served in various positions before heading up the international division in 2006. John also heads up the Tellytrack operation on behalf of the Tellytrack partnership.

He is also Executive Director of Premier Gateway International.

“With more than 39 years of experience in the horseracing and gaming industry, the Board welcomes John’s increased participation in the business and looks forward to his ongoing contribution.”

According to the statement, Du Plessis has also committed himself to assist his successor until the end of March 2019 to ensure a smooth transition.

“The Board and management team would like to thank Rian for his valued service and contribution to the company over the past 10 years. He led the development of a sophisticated business with multiple revenue streams and has formed a management team supporting long term stability and growth,” reads the statement.

“The Company’s financial results announcement scheduled for 5 October 2018 will be delivered by the new CEO.”

– Phumelela Gaming

Chief Handicapper Roger Smith looked back fondly on 33 years of service in the racing industry.

His wife has taken up a position in Jersey with Price Waterhouse and he plans to continue his racing career on the channel island in an administrative role, although there are only a handful of race meetings on the island a year.

Smith began as assistant handicapper at Gosforth Park in Germiston in 1985 and then moved to Newmarket in Alberton in 1988 where he ran the racing services department and also worked as a handicapper.

He joined the National Horseracing Authority in 1999 as a handicapper and became manager of handicapping a couple of years later.

Smith’s career coincided with the change from the old race figure system to the merit rating system.

The latter system is disliked by more than a few but Smith said, “I think the original system (race figure) was not very scientific and there was a standard adjustment of two or three kilograms for a win, so the range of weights was too close and this didn’t make for competitive racing, there was more dominance in the racing. Some preferred it like that but if you consider the average ability of most horses it didn’t cater for the majority. The merit rated system enables longer careers for horses and allows the handicap racing to be more competitive.”

Commenting on the restrictions and guidelines which have accompanied the merit rated system during its lifetime, he said, “It has protected some younger horses as it has held down their ratings and this sometimes skews things as their ratings are then sometimes not a true representation of their ability. But the older horses will always have more chance to establish themselves and with them we are always cognisant of performances which are suddenly way better than their ratings.”

The job of chief handicapper is not for the feint hearted as handicappers take a lot of flak and Smith said, “Yes, we are like referees in rugby or soccer and are impartial and do not have a vested interest.”

However, he pointed out handicapping required dealing with sentient beings, which could otherwise be described as “flesh and blood”, and this meant they could be unpredictable.

He continued, “They can make fools of you and on other occasions they can vindicate you. There are so many factors which effect performance, that is why it is called gambling, but the more data you have the more chance you have of arriving at an accurate prediction.”

Smith lamented the lack of atmosphere on racecourses today compared to the vibrant days of the 1980s and 1990s, but he also recognises the upside of Tellytrack, where racing fans have access to live racing and replays in the comfort of their own home.

For him the thrill of racing has never dwindled, “I really enjoy watching it,” he said.

He mentioned Golden Loom, Jungle Rock, Chestnut Grove, Variety Club, Rolands Song, Petrava, Empress Club, Horse Chestnut as some of the horses which would always be etched in his memory.

He concluded, “South African racing has been an integral part of my life for a long time so I am going to miss it, but there was an opportunity for a new chapter and we took it with both hands.”

The entire racing industry would wish the best for Smith in his new venture as he has served the industry with honesty and integrity for many years.

By David Thiselton