When popular owner Michael Leaf won Saturday’s R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes at Turffontein with the Lucky Houdalakis-owned Chili Con Carne it completed two amazing stories, one of lightning striking twice and the other of a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

Saturday’s victory happened a year after Leaf’s Justin Snaith-trained colt Lineker had won the R2,015 million BSA Ready To Run Cup at the same meeting.

Linker had been successfully pin-hooked by Leaf at one stage, but a quirk of fate saw him owning the colt again, while the small, unfashionably-bred Chili Con Carne was a “buy back”.

The decision by the Houdalakis yard to fit Chili Con Carne with blinkers did the trick.

The Just As Well home-bred gelding held on to beat the favourite Africa Rising by 1,25 lengths, despite starting odds of 15/1.

It was the first leg of former champion jockey Gavin Lerena’s brilliant feature race Jackpot of victories.

Michael Leaf was much admired for the sporting manner in which he handled the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 Vodacom Durban July through a controversially upheld decision in the boardroom.

However, fortune has turned full circle.

Chili Con Carne is out of an unraced Leaf-owned Windrush mare called Wonder Glow, who is a half-sister to twice Listed winner West Cigar.

On the suggestion of pedigree fundi Anton Procter, Leaf sent her to be covered by Springfield Stud-based A.P. Indy stallion Just As Well.

The foal, having been prepared by Balmoral Stud, was the final lot on last year’s CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale. Leaf had been unable to make it to the sale and had asked Lucky Houdalakis to oversee the auction of his three horses. Chili Con Carne had shown potential in his preparation for the “breeze ups”, so Leaf put a R300,000 reserve on him. Buyers showed a lot of interest and this allowed Houdalakis to put in a bid for R300,000. Only one more bid was required to have a successful sale. However, the bid never came. Furthermore, Leaf admitted he would likely have been happy to accept the highest under bid of around R275,000 had he been there.

Houdalakis’ wife Natalie said Lucky had “loved” the horse from day one.

She added, “He liked him as an individual. He is not big, but had everything in the right place.”

Consequently, Leaf asked Houdalakis to train him.

He showed a lot in training, to the extent his above average performances on the racecourse were viewed as disappointing by connections.

Leaf spoke of how the horse would “drop himself back” and then “fly up”, but usually too late.

For example, On September 29 over 1200m at the Vaal he was tailed off at the 400m mark and made about 15 lengths to run an eye-catching fourth.

That was his first run after gelding, and Houdalakis then stepped him up to 1600m. On this occasion, he jumped well, but had soon dropped himself out to last. He moved up early enough this time and joined the leaders, but stayed on at one pace from the 200m mark to be beaten two lengths into fifth. The obvious inference was to put him over 1400m, but on October 25 over that distance it was a similar story. However, on this occasion Muzi Yeni was aboard and returned to say he had felt a lot underneath him, but the horse was just not “putting it in”. Yeni was adamant the blinkers had to be fitted.

Eleven days later Chili Con Carne, with blinkers on, at last held his handy position, after jumping from pole position. He crept up at the top of the straight and then kicked clear before staying on strongly.

Vaal-based Houdalakis could not be on course due to a recent operation to sinuses and mouth which would have made interviews tough. However, he “screamed” the horse to victory at home. It was the biggest cheque the yard had earned in South Africa, although the legendary J J The Jet Plane earned far bigger cheques for them in both Dubai and Hong Kong.

Leaf, amazed to have won two lucrative sales races, could well make it three on November 19 at Kenilworth when his Justin Snaith-trained colt Bishop’s Bounty will attempt to go one better than his full brothers Red Ray and Brutal Force in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m.

Last year’s Leaf-owned sales race hero Lineker was bought in Australia by Paul Lafferty. Leaf forked out the Aus $50,000 required to secure him. However, he later felt a bit “iffy” about his potential after listening to the critics. Consequently, he decided to put him on a sale to see what would transpire. As it happened he was bought for R1,1 million by John Freeman. The latter then offered Leaf the opportunity to stay in the colt. Leaf agreed to take 50%. However, fate saw him owning the horse outright once more when the partner he had intended roping in bailed out.

Meanwhile, Wylie Hall, the victim of the controversial July upheld objection, has made a fine start to his stud career. The son of Redoute’s Choice covered 96 mares last season and over 90 of them have produced live foals. Leaf, whose first three runners of his breeding career have all won, expanded his broodmare band to 25 partly in order to support Wylie Hall.

Natalie Houdalakis spoke of how chuffed the yard were to have won Saturday’s race for such a committed owner and breeder.

Leaf even pours passion into the naming of his horses. “Chili Con Carne” was inspired by words from the Nat King Cole song “Let There Be Love” and the name, due to its spicy connotations, also seemed suitable due to his Durban routes and the horse being KZN-bred.

Lucky and Leaf have connotations of good fortune, but there was lot more to the story on Saturday than just a couple of names, and nobody would have begrudged this triumphant turnaround in fortune.

By David Thiselton

Using the wrong dustbin has cost Mike Stewart R10 000, a hefty legal bill and a grilling in front of the National Horseracing Authority Inquiry Board.

NHA officials made a surprise visit to the Noordhoek trainer’s stables in May and seized needles and syringes that were found to contain traces of phenylbutazone.

Stewart said: “It all happened when I wasn’t allowed to go near the stables for a fortnight because of the risk of infection after having an eye operation.

“My wife Ingrid has her own business taking people for rides on the beach and most of her horses are old and couldn’t operate without bute. She treated our daughter’s pony with it and, without thinking, threw the packaging into one of the bins near the stables rather than taking it to the house bin which she normally does. The following Tuesday the inspection people turned up and went through the bins.”

Stewart pleaded guilty at last week’s hearing but the mitigating circumstances explained by his attorney resulted in three-quarters of the R40 000 fine being suspended for three years.

The day after their visit to Noordhoek the inspection officials turned up unannounced at Paddy Kruyer’s stables in Milnerton, went through all the drawers and again discovered some used needles and syringes. Analysis revealed traces of testosterone cypionate and the trainer was fined R50 000 with half suspended for three years.

Kruyer, who was also legally represented, said: “I was able to prove, through the vet’s books, that the testosterone was supplied to me in 2012 when it’s use was still legal. However what I was guilty of was putting the needles and syringes in the drawer and forgetting about them instead of disposing of them at the time. As a trainer I am held responsible for anything found on my premises, hence the fine.”

By Michael Clower

The Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting on the Inside track tomorrow and by trends low draws will be favourable in all races.

The draw will be the only concerns for the stand out fancy of the day, Matador Man, who runs in race three, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.

This Sean Tarry-trained Toreador gelding is out of a decent race mare called Sahara, who won her first three starts from 1200-1450m for Dennis Drier. His slow starting antics might be seen by some as another concern, but on this occasion it could work in his favour as he can then drop in behind horses on the favourable side. He is coming off a 2,45 length third in a Maiden over 1200m at the Vaal.

He started at 9/10 that day, so some would also view that as a negative. However, the winner and runner up of that race were none other than Al Fahad and Doosra, who are among the leading lights to date of the Highveld male three-year-old crop. Furthermore, the rest of the field were beaten close to nine lengths by Matador Man. He faces an uninspiring field tomorrow. Fearless Fred has some decent form over this sort of trip and the  blinkers are now on. However, he also has a high draw, which won’t make it easy. Storm Ruler makes most appeal of the first-timers being by Silvano and a half-brother to Gr 1-winning miler Smart Banker.

Punters should be a given a good start by Artifico in race one, a Workrider’s Maiden over 1700m. It is a weak race and this A P Answer gelding improved when stepped up to 1800m last time, going close. He now has a plum draw of two with the same rider aboard. The rest of the field are uninspiring. Fortysecond Street went close over 1450m last time. He is by Visionaire out of a Coastal dam, which should mean he will relish the trip.

However, the dam has produced mainly speedsters to date, so there must be a question mark over the trip. The first-timer Happy Pills is of interest, being by champion sire Trippi out of an Al Mufti mare, who has produced three winners to date. The latter has a good rider aboard in Francis Semela, but has to overcome the widest draw of all, which doesn’t augur well for his debut.

There is another possible good bet in the second, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m, in Lady Of The World. She is by the promising sire Great Britain, whose progeny generally have a lot of speed. She ran a cracker on Grand Heritage day from the worst draw of one. She now has another tricky draw here but could overcome it with her pace. She looks to be improving too.

In race 6, a MR 85 Handicap over 1400m, Seventh Heart is the only female in the race and it is never easy against the boys. She had the impossible number one draw on Grand Heritage day, so acquitted herself well to be just 4,3 lengths behind Prince of Orange. She now has a plum draw and, considering she finished just 1,9 lengths behind Trophy Wife over this trip when 2,5kg under sufferance off an 84 merit rating, her new 77 merit rating is attractive. Beyond her it is wide open. However, Tora Tora is off on an attractive mark over a suitable trip and has a fair draw, so has been selected as the main danger.

In the fifth race, a fillies and mares MR 76 Handicap over 2000m, B Twenty One looks to have everything except a wide draw of 15 in her favour. She is a four-year-old by Silvano, meaning she will be coming into her own. Furthermore, she not surprisingly relished the step up to this trip last time out. She proved capable of coming from off the pace there too, so can afford to be dropped out from the draw. Muzi Yeni knows her well and remains aboard.

By David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: ELYSIAN FIELDS has put in two modest efforts on the poly but his one run on the poly was excellent. A repeat of that showing should see him close. GATES raced green on debut when jumping from a wide draw and is sure to improve on that effort. THE REFORMATION is another who has run his best race on the poly and failed narrowly two runs back at long odds. ROY’S SLOW MOTION speeded up quite a bit when sent on the poly. Although a distant third he can feature in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-9-6-7)

Race 2
Preview: WE’RE WATCHING YOU made a promising debut on the turf at Scottsville. She is likely to handle the poly given the soft ground on debut and meets a modest field. NIGHT AT THE PROMS has run her best races on the poly and was close-up in both recent outings. She has a tricky draw but should feature prominently. AMADORA has put in two decent efforts on the turf. She has a good draw and looks ready. POWER HORSE is struggling but has consistent form and blinkers and cannot be written off lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 12-4-7-1).

Race 3
Preview: Open. PROMISSORY has some god form against much stronger than he meets here. He has a good draw and at best will go close. ARAMOUSE was touched off for second behind One O Won last Wednesday. He is in excellent form and looks the biggest threat to the selection. SEA URCHIN is lightly raced but has ability. He tries blinkers for the first time and is one to watch. ALL TRUE MAN steps up in trip but has been consistent over shorter and can feature in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-3-8)

Race 4
Preview: LITTLEBLACKNUMBER is a smart mare who has run some cracking races in strong company. She makes her poly debut and could prove too good for the males. AL CIBERANO is overdue another win. He has a light weight and a top draw so should have every chance here. TOP FORM made a smart return to the track after a break and if he comes on from that he will be a factor. REDCARPET CAPTAIN has a big weight but is unbeaten in two over course and distance since being gelded and can go on again. (Andrew Harrison: 4-11-9-1).

Race 5
Preview: Wide open. GREATFIVEEIGHT has been much improved on the poly and showed even more when fitted with blinkers. He can follow up in a weak field. ROY’S ROLLS ROYCE has shown some fair form on the poly and should feature in this company. THE GINGERMAN also improved in blinkers but has a difficult draw to overcome here. The same goes for SUN DYNASTY who only just got up to shed his maiden when starting a short-priced favourite. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-3-2)

Race 6
Preview: Tough race. VARIETY ROMP is a lightly raced six-year-old who made a promising comeback after a lengthy break last month. He can go close in this field. APRES SKI only shed his maiden last start but he made major improvement when tried in blinkers on his poly debut. He could follow up. SAN JULIAN BAY has shown up well in two starts on the poly. He has a big weight from a wide draw but can improve on his last effort. HEPTAGON is never far back and also goes well on the poly although battling for his second win. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-1-2).

Race 7
Preview: BEAUTE NOIRE has done well for her new stable and made a cracking handicap debut. She has a big weight but could prove too good here. LUNA SEA has been in good form on the turf of late. Of concern was her modest last effort on the poly but she has drawn well and has a handy weight.  CHARISMA has had two outings since arriving from the Cape. She should come on from her last outing and can feature. DANCE CITY QUEEN has not been too far back at recent starts but has come down in the ratings. The blinkers come off and she can surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-6-5).

Race 8
Preview: Wide open. ARCHILLES was not far back to a useful colt last time out. He meets weaker here and should have a strong chance. DISTANT PLACE has shown some promise in his two sprints and should much prefer this trip He jumps form a fair gate and should be thereabouts. ICE RIDGE has shown up well in two recent starts at Durbanville. He makes his poly debut from a wide draw but seems progressive. KINGS EMPIRE take a step up in trip but has improved with each run over shorter. He can feature from a good draw. (Andrew Harrison: 10-7-5-6).

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren, jockey Gavin Lerena and owner Laurence Wernars were the dominant combination in the second big Highveld meeting of the season on Saturday, just as they were in the first.

The trio combined to win the main race of the day, the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile, with the brilliant New Predator, an Australian-bred by New Approach.

Former national champion jockey Lerena rode the Jackpot and all four of the legs were features. Three of these were for Janse van Vuuren. Wernars was the outright owner of two of them and a partner in another of them. Janse van Vurren also had another winner on the card.

Wernars has supported racing as an owner for 25 years, but is yet to win a Gr 1. He should have an outstanding chance of achieving this deserved feat this season.

New Predator will be a major force in all of the Gr 1 weight for age miles. The big question is whether he will stay the 2000m trip of the Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup. The bookmakers do not rate his chances of doing so and he is still a long shot at 25/1 with Betting World.

The two best Summer Cup trials on Saturday were put up by the Geoff Woodruff-trained Deo Juvente and the Duncan Howells-trained Saratoga Dancer. The former was the narrow runner up in the Summer Cup last year and stayed on strongly on Saturday to finish a 0,8 length third. That was despite it being his second run after a four month break.

Woodruff must have a good chance of landing the Summer Cup one-two for the fourth year in succession, considering last year’s winner Master Sabina, under Lerena, put in an excellent preparation run recently and will run off a merit rating only one point higher than last year. The Woodruff pair are 14/1 shots for the Summer Cup, which looks generous.

Saratoga Dancer stayed on resolutely from a good draw on Saturday and found extra late to get up for second, just 0,6 lengths behind the winner from whom he was receiving 2kg. This long striding sort is perfectly suited to the galloping Turffontein track and his Summer Cup odds of 25/1 also look generous.

Wernars’ best chance of Gr 1 glory this season might lie with the three-year-old Janse van Vuuren-trained Captain Al colt Doosra, who followed up on his impressive maiden win over 1200m by winning his first start around the turn in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m under Lerena. He just got up to deny the highly touted Mike de Kock-trained Heavenly Blue, who was making his seasonal reappearance.

Both colts ooze class and will relish a step up in trip, so the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans could see a repeat of last year. In that last Dingaans renewal New Predator only just failed to peg back the De Kock-trained Noah From Goa. The Woodruff-trained Philanthropist gelding Singapore Sling, beaten just 0,4 lengths in the Graham Beck, should also be a Dingaans contender.

Wernars will also have a chance of landing a Gr 1 classic with a horse he part-owns, the Janse van Vuuren-trained three-year-old Philanthropist filly She’s A Giver. She kicked away from the field in the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes over 1400m to win by an impressive 3,75 lengths under Lerena, beating the highly regarded Alec Laird-trained Maleficent.

Lerena’s most lucrative win of the day was aboard the three-year-old Just As Well gelding Chili Con Carne, who kicked well and had enough in the tank to stave off the classy Sean Tarry-trained Africa Rising in the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400m.

Chili Con Carne is from the yard of Lucky Houdalakis, whose expertise as a trainer has seen him rising continually season after season. He is lying in 16^th on the current national log and will likely soon be pressing for a top ten position. More should be heard from both the winner and runner up of the Ready To Run Cup, as they are both classy types.

Janse van Vuuren’s other winner on the card was in the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m with the four-year-old Silvano filly Girl On The Run. She is owned and was bred by Maine Chance Farms and was ridden by Randall Simons.

By David Thiselton