David Thiselton

SIX big horses for the SA Champions Season, Kommetdieding, Linebacker, Seeking The Stars, Captain’s Ransom, The Gatekeeper and Silver Host galloped at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday and pleased their respective connections.

The unbeaten Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained Kommetdieding, a comfortable winner of the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m, missed his last start due to an overreach injury. However, he was only out of work for a week and looked in fine fettle in the parade ring. Rix described him as not a big horse at all, about sixteen hands and one inch, but as one who carried himself well. She also spoke of his wonderfully laid back temperament adding, “He is still a colt but doesn’t know it.” Kommetdieding sat behind stable companion, the twice winner Pink Ffloyd, from the Drill Hall and was superbly relaxed under regular rider Sihle Cele. In the straight he switched out and the acceleration was instant. He used his big action and was obviously enjoying himself and kept Pink Floyd, who came back at him, at bay. 

Next up was the Vaughan Marshall-trained Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner and Grade 1 Cape Guineas runner up Linebacker and his stable companion Seeking The Stars, who beat him into second in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m before winning the De Grendel CTS Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m and then finishing unplaced in the Cape Guineas. Seeking The Stars, a natural front-runner, led the pair under Anton Marcus. Linebacker, under Grant van Niekerk, switched out at the top of the straight and using his big, uncomplicated stride made up the leeway effortlessly. They then galloped together to the line, although Linebacker ducked away from the shadow at the finish post. On that performance Linebacker could well be the one to beat in the Grade 2 WSB Guineas on May 2 from a plum draw, as he glided past the stands in eyecatching style.  Kommetdieding will be a tough nut to crack but does have a wide draw of eleven out of the 15 entries. Seeking The Stars is not out of it either. Marshall pointed out that he had simply gone too slowly in the Cape Guineas and said he would not only stay 1600m but probably further. However, he will have to be used up to a certain extent to get to the front from a wide draw, which is currently 13.

Captain’s Ransom, a winner of five out of six including the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, also over 1600m, is an impressively strong individual. She is described by trainer Justin Snaith as “a machine.” She worked on her own and anybody wandering who did not know her would not have been overly impressed by the gallop as she was not asked to do a lot under Richard Fourie. However, Snaith obviously knows what constitutes a good workout for this star and was pleased. She starts off in the WSB Fillies Guineas where her she is cramped 3/10 odds at present and her chief opposition will be Princes Calla and the pole position drawn Miss Elegance.

The Snaith pair The Gatekeeper, ridden by Richard Fourie, and Silver Host, with Grant van Niekerk up, galloped at a comfortable pace from the Drill Hall with the latter in front. The Gatekeeper, a full-brother to former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate, is still immature but displayed a big stride in the straight and the pair went to the line together. Snaith believes Silver Host is the best stayer in the country and regards him as one of the dark horses for the SA Champions Season as the Vodacom Durban July is on his radar. The Gatekeeper has for a long time been one of Snaith’s chief July contenders although he still has to qualify as he is merit rated just 110.  He starts off in the WSB Guineas.  

Andrew Harrison

Securing a berth in the 18-horse field for this year’s Gr1 R2 million Vodacom Durban July will be a scrap to final acceptances on Monday, 21 June with 54 names on the list at first entries yesterday.

All of the country’s big guns have been entered and it will be a game of chess for trainers trying to make sure of a July gate and at the same time protecting their merit ratings.

The country’s biggest race will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 2200m on Saturday, 3 July.

Rainbow Bridge, a touch disappointing last year when sixth but recent winner of the Cape Town Met, will almost certainly top the handicap and he will be back for another tilt, all being well.

Eric Sands has also nominated stable companion and half-brother Golden Ducat, fourth in last year’s race.

Last year’s runner-up Got The Greenlight will be out go one better for Joey Soma and extract revenge on the winner Belgarion, also among the nominations and one of 11 entries from the Justin Snaith yard.

The four highest rated fillies are also entered, namely recent Gr1 HSH Charlene Empress Club winner and last year’s Equus Horse of the Year, Summer Pudding, facile Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroin, War Of Athena, Captain’s Ransom, winner of both the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas and the  Gr1 Majorca Stakes and Running Brave, second to Summer Pudding in the Empress Club and the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup. Other notable entries are last Sunday’s WSB Scarlet Lady winner She’s A Keeper and the highly rated Princess Calla.

Mike de Kock has indicated that Triple Crown winner Malmoos may not take his place in the VDJ but the colt is among the entries along with the cream of the country’s sophomore males. De Kock has also entered Barahin, who is on the comeback trail after being winless since his triumph in the Gr1 Emperors Palace Charity Mile back in November 2019.

Snaith’s highest rated three-year-old, Jet Dark, winner of the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate beating Rainbow Bridge, has been entered along with 3yo stable companions Hoedspruit, The Gatekeeper and Sachdev.

The unbeaten Gr 2 Politician Stakes winner Kommetdieding, trained by father and daughter combination of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix, is already based at Summerveld and could have his first KZN outing in the Gr2 WSB Guineas on Saturday, May 2.

Vaughan Marshall has entered Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner Linebacker and Derby runner-up Rascallion while Dean Kannemeyer has entered Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock.

Sean Tarry has entered eight runners and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s three entries include the progressive Argentine import Puerto Manzano.

In all, this years Vodacom Durban July field could stack up into one of the strongest in many a year.

First entries for the  R 2,000,000  2200m (Turf)

VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

AFRICAN NIGHT SKY                     Justin Snaith    107     

ATYAAB (AUS)                                 Zietsman Oosthu  115     

AZORES                                             Dean Kannemeyer  107     

BABY SHOOZ                                   Peter Muscutt     96     

BARAHIN                                          Mike de Kock     119     

BELGARION                                     Justin Snaith    130     

BLACKBALL                                       Gavin van Zyl    110     

CAPTAIN’S RANSOM                     Justin Snaith    126     

CIRILLO                                             Sean Tarry       120     

CROWN TOWERS                           Justin Snaith    115     

DIVINE ODYSSEY                            J A Janse van V  110     

DO IT AGAIN                                   Justin Snaith    129     

DOUBLEMINT                                             Justin Snaith    118     

DR DOOLITTLE                                Paul Peter       105     

EXPRESSFROMTHEUS                   Stuart Pettigre  118     

FLYING CARPET                               Sean Tarry       108    

FULL BLAST                                      Michael Miller    86     

GOLDEN DUCAT                             Eric Sands       128     

GOT THE GREENLIGHT                 Joe Soma         124     

HOEDSPRUIT                                   Justin Snaith    108     

JET DARK                                          Justin Snaith    130     

KOMMETDIEDING                         HWJ Crawford/M   117     

LEGITIMATE                                    Dean Kannemeyer  101     

LINEBACKER                                    Vaughan Marshal  115     

MALMOOS                                       Mike de Kock     125     

MARCHINGONTOGETHER           Gavin van Zyl    106     

MATTERHORN                                Alyson Wright    100     

NETTA                                                Paul Peter       102     

PACK LEADER                                  Alec Laird       109     

PRINCESS CALLA                            Adam Marcus      118     

PROMISEOFAMASTER                  Candice Dawson   101     

PUERTO MANZANO (AR               J A Janse van V  110     

RAINBOW BRIDGE                         Eric Sands       134     

RASCALLION                                    Vaughan Marshal  111     

RUNNING BRAVE                           Fanie Bronkhors  119     

RUSSIAN ROCK                                Dean Kannemeyer  114    

SACHDEV                                          Justin Snaith    108     

SECOND BASE                                 J A Janse van V  116     

SEEHAAM                                         Sean Tarry       107     

SHAH AKBAR                                   Sean Tarry       108     

SHANGO                                           Sean Tarry       116     

SHE’S A KEEPER                              Gareth van Zyl    90     

SILVER HOST                                   Justin Snaith    110     

SOVEREIGN SPIRIT                        Candice Bass-Ro  124     

SUMMER PUDDING                      Paul Peter       129     

SUPER SILVANO                             Brett Crawford   104     

THE GATEKEEPER                           Justin Snaith    110     

TIERRA DEL FUEGO                       Sean Tarry       116     

TREE TUMBO                                   Sean Tarry       109     

TRIP TO AFRICA                              Duncan Howells   101     

TRISTFUL                                          Tony Rivalland   113     

WAR OF ATHENA                           Paul Matchett    122     

YOUCANTHURRYLOVE                  Fabian Habib     112     

ZILLZAAL                                           Sean Tarry       116     

   (54)

David Thiselton

REIGNING national champion jockey Warren Kennedy is “living in limbo” at present as he awaits feedback from various overseas racing jurisdictions who have displayed an interest in him but he said he would definitely still be in South Africa for the Vodacom Durban July and he was confident of Summer Pudding’s ability to handle the tight Hollywoodbets Greyville track.

Summer Pudding has won eleven out of 12, including three Grade 1s among eight stakes races victories.

However, the darling of the South African turf still has her detractors, who point to all of her wins being at Turffontein and to the form of her Paddock Stakes failure being collaterally similar to her Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 victory.

However, Kennedy said there was no doubt whatsoever that the Paul Peter-trained Silvano filly had not been herself in the Paddock Stakes.

He elaborated, “I could feel as far out as 800m that she was not herself. I had the perfect position behind Queen Supreme but by the 500m mark horses were going past us and she felt dead underneath me, yet she only finished five lengths back. And then she later scoped full of mucous which proved there was something wrong.”

Kennedy said about her ability to handle Hollywoodbets Greyville, “I think she will be fine as she has lost that flat spot she used to have. You must remember that when she ran in the Woolavington she was coming off a stop-start Triple Tiara campaign. The Oaks date kept on changing and she had to be kept on the boil for a long time without a definite race date to work with. Then the Woolavington was just three weeks after the Oaks so we decided to go for that but she was under par. I was at her the whole race, so she was flat and she still won which shows how good she is.”

At Turffontein Summer Pudding has reined supreme and although most of her wins have not been by wide margins she has always looked to have a bit in hand.

Kennedy was reluctant to name Summer Pudding as the best he had ever ridden, having also ridden the like of Rainbow Bridge, but he declared, “I would say she is the consistently best I have ridden.” 

He has a lot of good rides to look forward to in the SA Champions Season and the ones that immediately came to his mind were MK’S Pride, whom he said would be good anywhere from 1200m to 1600m, the Gareth van Zyl pair Vernichey and She’s A Keeper and AJ’S Captain from the yard of his wife Barbara and her brother Wayne Badenhorst.

The Kennedys reasons for immigrating are to maximize their financial security in order to provide the best possible foundation for their children. Their second child is due at the end of this month.

Warren has sent his CV to such racing countries as Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.

Hong Kong is the ultimate destination for any jockey in the world due to the high earnings potential but the committee that assesses the applications only sit in May.

Ex-patriot South African jockey Donovan Mansour put Kennedy in touch with the right people in New Zealand. Mansour, a former champion jockey of Mauritius, had a career-ending injury while riding in New Zealand. 

The advantage of immigrating to New Zealand is the possibility of attaining a “critical work visa” which enables a jockey to not only ride in New Zealand but also to travel  over to to Australia to ride.

However, immigrating straight to Australia generally requires a jockey to ride for one stable for two years.

Andrew Harrison

TWO runners to have come out of the Cape Guineas and taken on older horses since arriving in KZN have come up short. Russian Rock and Rascallion have both run below expectations and although there may be excuses for both, their efforts could also be warning signs.

Cape sophomore form comes under the spotlight again at Hollywoodbets Greyville today where Lions Head and Look For Hounds face off against older runners in the Online Form Handicap, seventh race on the eight-race programme.

Rascallion ran no sort of race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday and Vaughan Marshall will be looking for a better effort from Look For Hounds. Recently gelded, Look For Hounds finished with only one behind him in the Guineas but had the worst of the draw and was only seven lengths adrift of the winner, Russian Rock.

He steps up on the poly for the second time from the widest draw but took to the poly when finishing second on the Fairview surface at his previous start.

Outside of his Guineas effort his form was solid enough to suggest that he should be competitive but he has not been out since mid-December last year.

Lions Head has yet to run a bad race and also comes off a break. He did not contest the Guineas and in three starts beyond 1400m he came up short. This was probably behind his gelding and he has not been out since December.

However, he followed up his second on the Greyville poly with a facile maiden win on the turf next time out. That day he gave the impression that he was a colt with a bright future and he may still live up to that.

 The year older Maitland Magic goes best over course and distance and can do better than his last effort on the turf, his first run back from a break. His poly form is excellent and he could prove the best of the older brigade that includes Via Salaria and Quattro Passi.

Let’s Not Linger looks a fairly safe banker in the first leg of the PA as she has some useful sprint form from tough draws. Although up in trip she has a better marble and the extra should not be a factor. Indomavel, who enjoyed the step up in trip last run and looks to be coming to hand, and Diamonds And Toads look the principal dangers.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 could prove tricky but Mystic Master has not missed a beat since being sent over a bit of ground and looks the part. Decorated has the worst of the draw but came in for long-shot betting support last run and failed narrowly. He looks the biggest threat to the selection. Seattle Beat and Koura look pick of the balance.

In the fourth, Quickstep Lady and Perfect Princess look the pick. Quickstep Lady has some useful Cape form and was close-up to a good sort in her local debut. Vaughan Marshall has two top contenders in Perfect Princess and Go Lightly but both have drawn wide and make their poly debuts.

In the fifth, Maussane takes a five-point drop in the ratings and although she still has a big weight she does have the best draw. Anmer Hall has been racing over further but she drops in trip with first time blinkers and on her best showing can feature. Heartseas is a juvenile taking on older fillies but did well over the trip last run and has a handy weight. Aalsmeer has a wide draw but has been knocking at the door and needs to be included in all exotics.

The sixth is a difficult race and it may pay to go wide in exotics. Ice Imperial looks a cut above this field and although top weight could prove good enough. Hereinafter met stronger last run but Marcus has stuck with the ride and she can feature prominently in this weaker company. Maria Carolina has shown signs of coming to hand and can feature from a good draw. Hot Money is never far back and should have a strong chance of finishing in the money again.

Plenty in with chances in the last. Window To Africa returns from a lengthy break but has put in two smart efforts on the poly against stronger and can feature prominently again. Beat It found her best form last run and gets another chance as she was due for stud after that last run. Arctic Princess has the worst of the draw but goes well this course and distance. Ignore her last run when dropping her rider at her last start. Suzi Woo was desperately unlucky last run when battling for a gap. Don’t leave her out of anything.

RACE 1: Preview: CHOLLIMA (9) showed up well in a competitive Kenilworth feature last run after a a narrow defeat before that. Unless there is a springer in the market, he looks the right one. CALLMEMRGREENLIGHT (3) was disappointing in Cape Town but can do better back on home turf. FASSI (2) raced green in a fair debut and is sure to come on from that. Of the first timers, HASTA MANANA (8) has a smart pedigree and with Marcus up is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-2-8).

RACE 2: Preview: LET’S NOT LINGER (6) has some useful sprint form from tough draws. Although up in trip she has a better marble and the extra should not be a factor. INDOMAVEL (1) enjoyed the step up in trip last run and looks to be coming to hand. DIAMONDS AND TOADS (7) has shown improved form back in blinkers and will be a big contender. VENTRILOQUIST (10) showed improved form back in blinkers over a sprint. Can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-10).

RACE 3: Preview: MYSTIC MASTER (8) has not missed a beat since being sent over a bit of ground. He looks the past here. DECORATED (10) came in for long-shot betting support last run and failed narrowly. He looks the biggest threat to the favourite. SEATTLE BEAT (4) and KOURA (9) look pick of the balance. (Andrew Harrison: 8-10-4-9).

RACE 4: Preview:  Tricky. QUICKSTP LADY (3) has some useful Cape form and was close-up to a good sort in her local debut. Vaughan Marshall has two top contenders in PERFECT PRINCESS (10) and GO LIGHTLY (11) but both have drawn wide and make their poly debuts. INTUITIVE (6) was not too far back to the smart filly She’s A Keeper last start. She steps up to a mile here but has the pedigree to match. (Andrew Harrison: 3-10-6-11).

RACE 5: Preview: MAUSSANE (1) takes a big drop in the ratings and although she still has a big weight she des have the best draw. ANMER HALL (2) has been racing over further but she drops in trip with first time blinkers and on her best showing can feature. HEARTSEAS (6) is a juvenile taking on older fillies but did well over the trip last run and has a handy weight. One to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-6-8).

RACE 6: Preview: ICE IMPERIAL (6) looks a cut above this field and although top weight should prove good enough. HEREINAFTER (1) met stronger last run but Marcus has stuck with the ride and she can feature prominently in this weaker company. MARIA COROLINA (3) has shown signs of coming to hand and can feature from a good draw. HOT MONEY (7) is never far back and should have a strong chance of finishing in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-7).

RACE 7: Preview: LOOK FOR HOUNDS (9) was never in the hunt in the Cape Guineas from the widest draw. He has a high MR and another poor draw but should go well in this company. MAITLAND MAGIC (6) goes best over course and distance and can do better than his last effort on the turf. LIONS HEAD (7) has yet to run a bad race. He has been rested but is over a suitable trip. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-7-2).

RACE 8: Preview: Open handicap. WINDOW TO AFRICA (4) has put in two smart efforts on the poly against stronger and should feature prominently again. BEAT IT (3) found her best form last run and can go in again. ARCTIC PRINCESS (12) has the worst of the draw but goes well this course and distance. Ignore her last run when dropping her rider at her last start. SUZI WOO (10) was desperately unlucky last run when battling for a gap. Don’t leave out of anything. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-12-10).