Kinaan, third behind Hermoso Mundo and Captain Splendid in the SABC Gold Vase on Vodacom Durban July day, can turn the tables on his rivals when he goes a furlong extra in the Gr3 eLAN Gold Cup at Greyville on Sunday.

Kinaan (Nkosi Hlophe)

The two-day Gold Cup Festival of Racing kicks off tomorrow with the Gr1 World Sports Betting Champions Cup and runs into a 10-race card on Sunday that includes the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes and the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes, fitting end to the current racing season.

Many of the exotic bet pools have been boosted by carry-overs, so in all it will be a tempting weekend for punters.

Kinaan, third beaten little more than a length by stable companion Enaad in last year’s Cup, has not won a race in a year-and-a-half which is not a great recommendation in itself but on the other hand, he comes into Sunday’s race with half a kilo less to carry than last year – given that Callan Murray makes the weight – and off a fine preparation.

The Vase was his third run after a break and he was running on strongly come the home straight to finish third. He meets Hermoso Mundo on 2kg better terms and the demoted Captain Splendid on the same terms.

Murray, now with international experience after a stint in Hong Kong, and a recent outing on the gelding, could have the upper hand this time around.

Krambambuli (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Gold Cup has always been the target for Royal Badge and Adam Marcus appears to have timed the gelding’s preparation to perfection. He has improved with every outing since arriving in KZN and now steps out over what appears to be his optimum trip with a competitive weight.

Krambambuli was given little chance by most pundits in the July but was only run out of it late, finishing under a length back to Marinaresco. He has some excellent form over ground but does have to shoulder top weight.

The mare Trophy Wife will more than likely be off to stud after Sunday but after knocking on the door for some time, finally got it right with a fine win in the Queen Palm Stakes over 2400m. This will be her first attempt at 3200m, but she is a class act and that could tell in the final analysis.

Banner Hill and The Elmo Effect strike as lively outsiders but Kinaan is a fairly confident selection.

Desert Rhythm will be attempting to sew up an Equus Award as Champion two-year-old filly when she runs in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes but Lady In Black and Folk Dance could make things tough.

Sean Tarry, having the season of his life, could pull off a Gr1 double with Captain And Master in the Premiers Champion Stakes. The colt was decidedly unlucky behind stable companion Purple Diamond in the Golden Horseshoe and given some luck in running over a more suitable trip, he looks good enough to turn the tables.

By Andrew Harrison

It was reported on Thursday that Igugu, Mike de Kock’s star mare and winner of the Durban July and J&B Met, had died in Australia.

Facebook-based TSA News, doing a story on Igugu’s stakes-placed half-sister Ngaga (trained by Andre Nel), came across the shocking information that South Africa’s once darling mare had died on 24 November, 2016. It was reported in the Australian Stud Book.

“It was devastating to read that the four-time Gr1 winner had in fact died – were we the only one to miss this?” queried TSA and the answer is, they weren’t!

“This is simply bizarre,” said Mike de Kock when informed of Igugu’s death on Thursday evening. “It boggles my mind that it took the best part of a year for us to get to know about Igugu’s death when she’s the type of mare who’d deserve a state funeral!

“All of us at the stable are taken by this and sad, but we won’t dwell on the fact that the info came to us so terribly late. Igugu was a wonderful champion in all respects, a top mare with vast amounts of courage and a big favourite to all in the yard. We salute her with fond memories!”

As for the rest of the report, further credit to TSA, who wrote:

Foaled in Australia, the Kia Ora Stud-bred Igugu was the second named foal of the unraced Zarinia (IRE). Purchased at the 2009 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Livestock Traders for A$65,000, the filly was sent to South Africa where she was then sold as part of the Summerhill Stud draft at the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale in 2009 when secured by Andre Macdonald for R1 million.

With part of the filly purchased privately to race in the silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum after her first few starts, the Mike de Kock-trained Igugu went on to claim the Gr1 South African Fillies Classic and the Gr1 Woolavington on her way to a stunning victory over Pierre Jourdan (SAF) in the 2011 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, her eighth win from just 10 starts.

After a break, she resumed with a win in Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge before capturing the Gr1 J&B Met over Bravura (SAF) and Gimmthegreenlight (AUS).

Set to take on the world, Igugu raced in Dubai, Hong Kong and in the UK, but another victory eluded the Champion mare, and retirement beckoned.

Having produced her first foal on February 1, 2015, the now two-year-old filly has been named Atlaal (GB) (Dansili (GB)) and is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum in the stable of Hugo Palmer, while her second, a colt by the very same sire was foaled on February 18.

Covered by Invincible Spirit (IRE), the Australian Stud Book reports Igugu died on November 24, 2016.

Igugu’s Race Record: Horse of the Year in South Africa in 2010-11. Champion 3YO Filly & Middle Distance Horse in South Africa in 2010-11. Champion Older Female in South Africa in 2011-12. 10 wins from 1200m to 2450m, £7,955, R5,684,375, 645,920Dhs, Greyville Woolavington S., Gr.1, Durban July H., Gr.1, Kenilworth J&B Metropolitan H., Gr.1, Turffontein South African Fillies Classic, Gr.1, South African Oaks, Gr.2, Ipi Tombe Challenge, Gr.2, Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Gr.2, Johannesburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge, Gr.3, 2d Kenilworth Cape Fillies Guineas, Gr.1, Newmarket Rosemary S., L, Turffontein Emperors Palace Ready to Run Cup, 3d Meydan Balanchine S., Gr.2.

Mikedekockracing.com

The Summerveld dogs were barking Billy Silver from the rooftops before yesterday’s meeting at Scottsville and they must have been watching a few gallops. All the money came for Dennis Bosch’s runner in the Download The tabGold Information App maiden and those who plunged were standing in the pay-out que even before ‘Billy’ hit the furlong marker.

“He’s a very, very smart horse,” enthused Anthony Delpech and one who looks to be something of a bargain buy.

Billy Silver (Candiese Marnewick)

“He was passed through the ring at R450k but I liked the look of him,” said Bosch, always an astute judge. “I checked him out at the back and although he turned out a little I still liked him.”

“He’s taken time. He has flat feet and we had to fit wedges but he’s a smart horse.”

He was entered for a feature on Sunday’s eLAN Gold Cup card but this was probably a better decision to take on maidens at their own game as he cruised to a five-length victory.

Duncan Howells has been sending out winner after winner in his quest for his second KZN trainer’s championship and reigning champion Dennis Drier will have been wondering what he had to do to retain his crown.

Howells, won the card opener with rank outsider Fiorella to push his lead out to 10. “Duncan’s on fire,” commented a frustrated Drier after an umpteenth second as Sacred Flame played second fiddle to Billy Silver.

Dennis Drier(Nkosi Hlophe)

There was some relief on the horizon as Drier broke his run of second placings as Texas Sky got the better of Toltec and a well-supported Tommy Grand in the White Horse Function Room maiden. Sean Veal set a cracking pace on Texas Sky, tracked by Toltec and Tommy Grand in what looked to be a suicidal pace. But the trio kept finding. Tommy Grand was the first to cry enough but Toltec went by Texas Sky and looked to be going the better. “He let the other horse go passed him, but he came back strong,” said stable rider Sean Veale.

Owner Nic Jonsson has caught the racing bug from father Benji, a doyen of KZN and South African racing, and as Drier commented, “If you haven’t got the boys to back you, you’re history,” a bell that rings true in every racing yard.

Drier pulled another back on Howells as bottom weight Great Value landed the seventh and cut his rival’s lead to eight with two meetings to go to the end of the season but all the pressure was on in the first for the Ashburton trainer. Fiorella started at long odds but Howells feels that she has a big future. Unruly at the gate and unshipping Keagan de Melo before taking up her stall made the wait even more tense. “She’s a top filly,” said Howells. “She was ready to run four weeks ago but she has a hot temperament and I didn’t want to press her too hard.”

“She’s bred to go ten furlongs and barring accidents she should go on a long way from here.”

By Andrew Harrison

The feature races on the Gold Cup Festival Of Racing weekend include the Grade 2 Prosport Gold Bracelet over 1800m and the Listed Avontuur Darley Arabian, both on Saturday, and the Grade 3 Sunlife Vitamins Debutante Stakes and Grade 3 Avontuur Umkhomazi Stakes both over 1200m on Sunday.

Nebula (Nkosi Hlope)

MacDuff and Nebula are the standouts in the Darley Arabian. Macduff defends his crown and although effectively seven points higher in the merit ratings than last year he is progressive and went close in a 1400m handicap on the poly last time off a one point lower mark. He will prefer this trip and has a fair draw of six. He should be cherry ripe and Anthony Delpech rides. Nebula cruised to a comfortable victory in May over course and distance in his only start on the Greyville poly and off a six point higher mark has a plum draw with Piere Strydom up. The dangers include No Worries, who has a plum draw and should be right there off a competitive merit rating. He should appreciate the poly at his age. Cutting Edge ran on well for third over 1600m on the turf on Vodacom Durban July day after being dropped out from a wide draw like he has here. Irish Pride finished second last in the latter race, but that was his first run after a five month layoff, so he should strip fitter and has the class to go close here. Night Trip has finished first, first and second in his last three attempts at this race and should also be cherry ripe. His form hasn’t been as strong this season as in the past, but he runs off a ten point lower mark than last year when a close second. In Other Words could shape if the pace is as slow as she got over course and distance last time, as she likely prefers 1400m. Mr Roy and Maximizer have some class and can’t be ignored from good draws. Budapest looks to be off a tough merit rating and would likely prefer 1400m, but is an enigmatic sort who can never be ignored. Prince Of Wales would prefer further and a more galloping track, but should be running on from a wide draw. Royal Armour needs to bounce back to form.

Nightingale (Liesl King)

The stand out in the Gold Bracelet is the Grade 1 winner Nightingale, who is distance suited and comes off her tie fourth in the Vodacom Durban July. Bella Sonata is officially best in at the weights and is the main danger. Premier Dance, Star Express and Captain Gambler also have the class to be right there.

In the Debutante, Neptune’s Rain is classy and distance suited, but has a tough draw and the Highveld pair Winter Watch and Celestina must thus be a big threat. Tsessebe could be right there too despite a wide draw and Princess Peach and Virga are others to consider.

In the Debutante, Al Mariachi is the selection from pole position and the dangers in order of preference are Laurent Du Var, So Var, Quinlan and Sniper Shot.

By David Thiselton

The Listed Umngeni Handicap over 1000m on the poly to be run on Saturday is one of many tricky races over the Gold Cup Festival Of Racing weekend, although Lloyd’s Legacy showed his true colours when a cornell collar was fitted last time and looks the one to side with.

Lloyd’s Legacy (Nkosi Hlophe)

The three-year-old Australian-bred More Than Ready gelding has always shown trainer Dennis Drier “unbelievable work”, but had breathing issues. The cornell collar was fitted for his last start over 1000m at Scottsville and after showing excellent cruising speed he then turned it on and won easing up by four lengths. That was also his second run after gelding and he is now drawn in pole position in a race with a lot of pace in it. He has had one start on the poly and stayed on well for third behind his useful stablemate Rocky Valley and that was before the cornell collar was tried. He carries 54,5kg, which is 0,5kg below rider Anton Marcus’s riding weight, so there will be no dead weight.

The pace in the race will be provided by the Louis Goosen pair Hashtag Strat and Effortless Reward and possibly also from My Pal Al. Those who believe in the theory that daytime poly racing favours front-runners more than it does at night will be looking to Hashtag Strat. She has exceptional cruising speed and on Vodacom Durban July day over course and distance, in a race which was run in the evening, she kicked on for a 1,75 length third from a draw of two. She now has another fair draw of four and is 2kg better off with the winner of that July day race, Horse Guards, and is 0,5kg better off with Attenborough, who finished 0,25 lengths in front of her.

Horse Guards was drawn in pole that day and found the box seat and has a chance of repeating the dose from draw two, despite the four point merit rated raise.

Effortless Reward has shown the progression of a typical Louis Goosen-trained sprinter and only just failed to make it four in a row last time when beaten by the speedy filly Wrecking Ball over 1000m at Turffontein. The latter finished a 2,5 length fifth in the Computaform Sprint and Effortless Reward was receiving just 1,5kg from her. That form gives Effortless Reward a definite shout. She has fine pace and a kick and from draw five Gunther Wrogemann might be looking to slot her in behind Hashtag Strat, or possibly My Pal Al, or she could even attempt to lead herself. On the downside this is her first start around the turn and her first time on the poly.

My Pal Al (Nkosi Hlophe)

My Pal Al was overtaken by the classy Bishop’s Bounty last time when showing good pace over 1200m on the poly and, although the latter won comfortably, he is interesting over the minimum trip. In his penultimate start he was far from disgraced over 1100m on the turf when coming from last for a 2,85 length sixth behind Sommerlied in a race which did not have as much pace as this one. So from a draw of nine he has the option of trying to get over to the front or being dropped out and relying on his class to get him home.

Attenborough will also love the pace in this race, as he did on July day from a draw of six out of 12. He now has a tricky draw of seven out of ten and is one point higher in the merit ratings, but will be flying at them. However, Anton Marcus has opted for Lloyd’s Legacy.

Rodney took a while to drop out from a wide draw over course and distance last time before flying home for third to Rocky Valley, so with the pace in this race he is a definite contender, despite another tricky draw of eight.

Isca finished second in this race last year from draw nine and is now drawn three and two points lower in the merit ratings. He finished 2,5 lengths behind Horse Guards on July day despite being caught wide. He is now 2,5kg better off with Horse Guards, so is another strong contender.

Clifton Sunset was unlucky the last time she went this course and distance but is another one who will be running in strongly. She has a draw of ten and a three point merit rated raise for her last win to overcome, but she seems progressive.

Doing It For Dan is also capable of a strong finish, but made little impression when coming from off them over course and distance on July day.

Lloyd’s Legacy is given the tentative vote to win from Hashtag Strat, with Rodney, Attenborough and Isca next best, although just about every runner has a chance.

By David Thiselton