Prized Icon and Glyn Schofield won the $1.5m, Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday to create history for trainer James Cummings in a race won by his grandfather Bart five times and his great-grandfather Jim once back in 1948.

The win was dominant with Schofield presenting Prized Icon, already a Group 1 winner of the ATC Champagne Stakes over 1600m, at the top of the main straight after racing in mid-field down the back straight.

Morvada had led to the 600m at a good clip but he faded as the pressure went on as the field started the long sweep of the turn for the main straight again. Swear and Tommy Berry took over with Sacred Elixir (NZ) and Zac Purton outside. Hollywood Mo and Stephen Baster were next and then Schofield and Prized Icon the widest of all.

They were line abreast until the 300m when Schofield sent Prized Icon forward again. Swear, Sacred Elixer and Hollywood Mo tried to counter, but Prized Icon was gone and off to the line with the margin opening with each stride.

Schofield was able to celebrate at the line on Prized Icon well clear with a margin of 2 1/2L over the $2.80 favourite Sacred Elixir (Pour Moi) and Inference (So You Think) and Dwayne Dunn coming through for third, the margin 1 1/4L.

So Si Bon was fourth with Swear fifth. The time was 2.36.16 on the Good 3 track and the final 600m in 35.66. Prize Icon paid $18.00 on fixed odds and $17.20 on the tote.

“I just had a lovely run throughout the race, but prior to getting into the race we had a few anxious moments to see if we were going to take our spot or not. James and the team made the right decision ultimately and he was pretty dominant today,” said Schofield.

“It all works out brilliantly unless you win. This is a very sweet victory and credit to James and his team for producing the horse in peak performance.

“He caught me a little bit by surprise last week when he did not show any turn of speed around those tight corners. I just said to James to not worry when he gets to the big open track he will show that turn of speed.

“When I go onto the back to Sacred Elixir through the 600/700m and he was starting to make his move I was not really travelling all that well. Until I showed him the outside of the horses and I probably got there a tad too soon as he idled a little when he got in front. But he had a little in the tank.

“With Chad here it has made it extra special,” he said.

“I get a lot of confidence from the fact that my great-grandfather was training horses in 1911, so there is over 100 years of horse racing excellence in the family and that knowledge gives us confidence,” said Cummings.

“Then it wanes and there are times like at Moonee Valley but this man right here (Schofield) gave me confidence to back this horse up. He convinced me that the horse never got enough peace. There were times when we doubted running him, but the thing about these horses is that when you concentrate on your horse and run your own race as they say, it can be rewarding.

“It is no fluke that he is here. It has been out plan for a long time and everyone at Gooree who breed these tough horses that can pull off this sort of race can be very proud of days like today and so they should be,” he said.

Thoroughbrednews.com.au

Picture: Dailytelegraph.com.au

 

Guide to Tuesday’s Emirates Melbourne Cup 6.20am SAf Time

> Advance wagering opens on Monday October 31.

> Commingled bets: Win, Place, Exacta and Double pools. No Local Pools.

> Telephone betting and online betting will be available from 05:30 Tuesday November 1.

Horse number, horse, trainer, jockey, barrier, weight, comment:

1 BIG ORANGE (GB) Michael Bell Jamie Spencer 7 57.0kg – Fifth last year with 55.5kg he must carry the additional weight this year and improve four places. The distance is not a problem as he comes off a victory of the 3219m of the Group 2 Goodwood Cup on July 28^th. $16 in the market is fair.

2 OUR IVANHOWE (GER) Lee and Anthony Freedman Dwayne Dunn 6 57.0kg – Not disgraced in 2015 Melbourne Cup after a good third in the Caulfield Cup. Not going as well this time around and does not look to be one of the main chances here.

3 CURREN MIROTIC (JPN) Osamu Hirata 18 56.5kg – Second on the Group 1 Tenno Sho Spring over 3200m at Kyoto in May but two uninspiring runs over 2200 since. Has not won in three years.

4 BONDI BEACH (IRE) Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore 5 56.0kg – Disappointed in last year’s Melbourne Cup after some strong runs in Europe. Returns with equally good form again. Is well in the market, so there is confidence around that he can improve at his second crack at the big one.

5 EXOSPHERIC (GB) Lee and Anthony Freedman Damien Oliver 13 56.0kg – Third in the Caulfield Cup over 2400m, 3 3/4L from Jameka. Oliver and the Freedman’s have won eight Melbourne Cups between them but Exospheric has not run the distance which just may prevent a ninth win.

6 HARTNELL (GB) John O’Shea James McDonald 12 56.0kg – Many believed he was equal or superior to Winx leading into the Cox Plate. That may seem fanciful now but it is impossible to ignore his form this preparation. He was dominant against Jameka in the Turnbull Stakes before Jameka went on to easily win the Caulfield Cup. A deserved favourite who is a big chance of giving Godolphin their first Melbourne Cup.

7 WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 20 56.0kg – Leading trainer and jockey combination and second to stablemate Grand Marshall (GB) in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m. That is the problem now that he is finding it hard to win.

8 WICKLOW BRAVE (GB) Willie Mullins Frankie Dettori 24 56.0kg – European form has been solid for most of this year before impressive Irish St Leger win. That form should stack up well here. Will be no surprise to see him in the thick of things on Tuesday afternoon if he can get a decent run from the draw.

9 ALMOONQITH (USA) David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig Michael Walker 19 54.5kg – Trained specifically for this race and his fourth in the Caulfield Cup had the fastest closing sectionals of the race. He was 13^th at the 400m and was 4 1/4L from the winner at the line still closing very quickly. The current odds of $26 and $7.25 need close examination.

10 GALLANTE (IRE) Robert Hickmott Blake Shinn 2 54.5kg – Sydney Cup winner who disappointed in the Moonee Valley Cup last time out. Can obviously stay but recent form doesn’t stack up.

11 GRAND MARSHALL (GB) Chris Waller Ben Melham 9 54.5kg – Finally returned to form with the Moonee Valley Gold Cup win. Has won over the distance, drops in weight for this but he would need to maintain that Valley form and then lift again.

12 JAMEKA (AUS) Ciaron Maher 3 54.5kg – Last year’s Crown Oaks winner who is relishing spring racing once again. Was dominant in the Caulfield Cup after a strong second to Hartnell in the Turnbull Stakes. Has been near the top of the market for a while now and there are no reasons for punters to shy away from her at this point.

13 HEARTBREAK CITY (FR) Tony Martin Joao Moreira 23 54kg – Irish hurdler who won the Ebor Handicap over 2816m at York on August 20^th. Will run the distance but is there a turn of foot for Flemington. The market is keeping safe but while he will not be stopping there might be others in front.

14 SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (IRE) John Thompson Blake Spriggs 14 54.0kg – Impressive winner of The Metropolitan in Sydney before offering little in the Caulfield Cup last time out. Not sure if the Sydney staying form stacks up here. Others look more likely here.

15 EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (GB) Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Vlad Duric 21 54.5kg – Finished fourth in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 4L from the winner and does not look likely to improve on that.

16 BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Damien Lane 1 52.5kg – Handy Godolphin mare who has done little wrong in 10 starts in Europe. Distance is a query but looks to have ability and may be worth considering for multiples.

17 ALMANDIN (GER) Robert Hickmott Kerrin McEvoy17 52.0kg – Coming off very good form including winning the Group 3 Bart Cummings over 2500m back on October 2^nd , which seems an age away, with 55kg. Drops 3kg, add the Carnival’s in-form jockey Kerrin McEvoy and this might be another William owned winner

18 ASSIGN (IRE) Robert Hickmott Katelyn Mallyon 22 52.0kg – Won the Group 2 Herbert Power a month ago. Hard to see that form stacking up. Barrier 22 could be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

19 GREY LION (IRE) Matt Cumani Glen Boss 16 52.0kg – Had the length of the Geelong straight to pass Qewy and could not manage it and the market says $31.00 as a result.

20 OCEANOGRAPHER (GB) Charlie Appleby Chad Schofield 11 51.0kg – Godolphin runner who was unlucky in the Group 2 Geelong Cup before a barnstorming come-from-behind win in the Lexus Stakes on Derby Day that confirmed his spot in the field. That win saw him move into second favourite. If he backs up well he will be in the thick of things.

21 SECRET NUMBER (GB) Saeed bin Suroor Stephen Baster 10 52kg – Last year he was second in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m at Flemington and has raced just once since to win the listed Doonside Cup over 2012m at Ayr.

22 PENTATHLON (NZ) John Wheeler Mark Du Plessis 4 51.5kg – Placed in the Moonee Valley Cup and has placed over 3200m before in New Zealand but disappointed in the Lexus and looks unlikely to threaten.

23 QEWY (IRE) Charlie Appleby Craig Williams 15 51.5kg – Stamina is not the issue here and the hurdler/galloper will keep on rolling for the entire distance. If he is allowed to do just that the field should not allow him to establish a break as he will not stop and he will not notice the weight. Keep in multiples.

24 ROSE OF VIRGINIA (NZ) Lee and Shannon Hope Ben Thompson 8 51.0kg – Could not go with them when things got going in the Lexus on Saturday. Was second in the 3200m Auckland Cup in March and will need to find that form again to be any chance here.

Selections from the ThoroughbredNEWS News team:

Glenn Moore	Rob Burnet	Flemington Spy	The News Desk
Hartnell	Hartnell	Oceanographer	Almoonqith
Curren Mirotic	Almoonqith	Big Orange	Almandin
Jameka	Almandin	Beautiful Romance	Qewy
Wicklow Brave	Bondi Beach	Hartnell	Hartnell

 

Wow! What a racehorse. And after Saturday’s demolition job Table Bay could attempt to become the first three-year-old to win the Met since Horse Chestnut and Badger’s Coast 17 years ago.

“It’s the Guineas next and then we will play around with a few ideas – whether we go for the Derby or the Met,” said Markus Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman. “At this point in time we will probably lean towards the side of caution but it’s not inconceivable that we will lean towards the Met.”

For a Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner, and that’s what Table Bay now looks like, the Investec Cape Derby is just an  ordinary Grade 1 whereas the Met has huge stallion value-enhancing potential – not to mention a R5 million stake thanks to Sun International’s sponsorship.

In truth, Table Bay’s Drakenstein Vet Clinic performance was that of a champion. Giving weight all round – including a staggering 5kg to half the field – the 3-1 chance went clear two furlongs out to draw further and further away. He won easing up by four lengths.

“I knew he was good but I’m shocked by the way he won this. It was mind-blowing,” said Brugman while Joey Ramsden (“a lovely laid-back horse and a smashing sort”) will surely have nightmares about how close he came to missing the colt in Melbourne. It will be a long time before he travels without an alarm clock.

“Of course I was impressed,” said Anton Marcus answering the obvious before disclosing that he would have had little hesitation in leading from the start. “It was always my intention to move him up [the field] a bit and it wouldn’t have been a train smash if he had led.”

This was the third time in four years that the Cape Classic has gone to the same owner-trainer-jockey combination but Riaan van Reenen is already planning to resume rivalry on December 17 with 18-1 runner-up Elevated.

He said: “Every time Elevated runs it looks as if the distance is too short for him but we will miss the Selangor and go straight to the Guineas. He was a late foal (December 9) and I don’t want to over-race him.”

But Edict Of Nantes will run in the Selangor a fortnight on Saturday with Brett Crawford hoping for more of a trouble-free run – “He had to check twice yet he still got up to come third.”

The mile race is also next for 18-10 favourite Our Mate Art who took fourth. “He should have finished better but he was constantly off the bridle,” said Candice Bass-Robinson. “He missed the break, got a bump and Grant had to keep chasing him up.”

Stable companion Marinaresco, though, was a different story in the Drakenstein Stud Pinnacle just over an hour later. It was almost as if the Champions Cup winner had been watching Table Bay and set out to show the younger horse just what he will be up against should he have the audacity to throw down the gauntlet on January 28.

Six furlongs was far too short and for five of them he was stone last. When Van Niekerk finally switched on the turbocharger (“I gave him just one backhander, and a soft one at that”) his mount accelerated like a Ferrari and at the line he was a rapidly-diminishing third to Silicone Valley.

“That was a nice come-on run,” said his trainer with the sort of masterly understatement you expect from her father. “Marinaresco now goes for the Green Point on December 3 and then it’s the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Met.”

Ektifaa, Australian-bred and out of a mare by Table Bay’s sire Redoute’s Choice, gave Mike de Kock his first Choice Carriers Championship since Phillipa Johnson 13 years ago and seems sure to take her chance in the WSB Fillies Guineas on December 3. “Most probably – we came down on Tuesday and we are here for three months,” said long-time assistant Natie Kotzen.

It was the biggest Cape Town win so far for Callan Murray who reported: “She made a bit of a hash-up of the start, rearing shortly before the gates opened. Fortunately she broke well, got into a beautiful position and dug down to the line.”

But 5-2 favourite Sail is likely to be backed to reverse the placings on December 3. She was desperately unlucky and finished like the proverbial train to go under by three parts of a length.

“One of the Bass runners carried me out after being pushed wide by Red Light Girl jumping a shadow,” reported Sean Veale. “I will take on the winner again in the Fillies Guineas and over the longer run-in you will see a different result.”

The Secret Is Out lost her unbeaten record, managing only seventh, but Vaughan Marshall was far from disheartened, reasoning: “I thought it was a good run considering she got baulked leaving the gates. She was bumped by a horse on her inside coming out.”

Gavin Lerena was suspended for a week for interference when winning the Highlands Stud Handicap on Captain Courteous while the latter’s stable companion Le Harve lost his stalls cert for rearing in the pens, breaking through and delaying the Cape Classic.

Michael Clower

Gareth van Zyl, son of former top jockey and now successful trainer Gavin, made a dream start to his career as a licensed trainer at Greyville on Friday night when sending out a winner with his first  runner. He later capped it by winning the first feature he had contested, the Listed Jonsson Workwear Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m, with the four-year-old Captain Al gelding Celtic Captain.

Both of the winners were for popular KZN owner Brian “Buffalo Bill” Burnard, who has thrown his support behind Gareth’s venture.

Celtic Captain was allowed to go off at generous odds of 10/1, considering he had finished just 2,3 lengths back in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas and was now running off just a 98 merit rating. He had always looked likely to enjoy this trip.  Furthermore, he jumped from a plum draw of three.

Stable jockey Warren Kennedy had him perfectly positioned on the rail within striking distance. The tall bay made up the ground easily and then quickened well. He held on to win by 0,5 lengths from the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Ashton Park.

Earlier, Gareth’s licensed career had started on a high note when the three-year-old Noordhoek Flyer filly Northern Storm had finished strongly to win a qualified maiden over 1000m under Anton Marcus.

Gareth is deeply grateful to both his father and prolific owner Brian Burnard for the opportunity he has been given.

Gavin decided to consolidate his training operation last year. He suggested Gareth dedicate himself to training the powerful Burnard string. At the same time Gavin would focus exclusively on the other horses in the yard.

Brian was agreeable and he and Gareth had immediate success together. They combined to win the R2,5 million Lanzerac ready To Run Stakes with the Lithuanian gelding Budapest at Kenilworth in November last year.

Later, Burnard’s stalwart Kahal gelding No Worries reclaimed the KZN Breeders Million Mile crown which he had won two years earlier.

Gavin initially encouraged Gareth to pursue a career outside of racing. However, the lure of the sport eventually proved too strong.    “I was obsessed with racing right from the beginning,” he admitted.

As kids he and his younger brother Chesney supported their father at both the track and the races as often as possible. They also became famous for racing each other through the sugar cane fields and on the Summerveld tracks on the ex-racehorses the family kept on their small holding. The youngsters cared for these horses themselves.

After completing matric, Gareth worked in the Tony Rivalland stable for about six months. Chesney was already in the game by then. He had proven to be a gifted farrier and later became caretaker trainer of the Van Zyl satellite yard in Johannesburg, a role he still fills with aplomb. Chesney  does all the farriery work for this yard too.

Meanwhile, Gareth had left to do missionary work in Uganda. He is, like his father, a devout man of God. Upon returning, he completed the first year of a B-Comm degree, and later worked as a sales representative and insurance broker.

It was to no avail and in 2009 Gavin succumbed to his son’s wishes and appointed him Summerveld assistant trainer. Gareth said, “In this game you never stop learning. Working with my Dad was a good learning experience and in due time everything came together.”

He had also absorbed some vital principles of training during a short learning stint in 2009 with Mike Azzie, a man he still regards as a friend and mentor.

Two or three years ago Gareth was hosted in the USA for a short period by James Bond, who has trained seven individual Gr 1 winners to date. On the same trip he spent time with veterinarian and consummate horseman Dr. Pug Hart. Both visits were organised by Kip Elser of Kirkwood Stables in the USA, a regular buyer at South African sales.

Gareth plans to travels overseas again. He said, “The science of training and horse care is constantly advancing and the first world countries are the leaders. It is important to keep up to date.”

He will continue to train exclusively for Burnard, although the latter has brought one or two of his friends and relatives in to the yard as well.

Gavin and Brian’s joint buying strategy will likely continue unabated, considering the success they have enjoyed at the sales. Gavin is only too happy to see his son reap the dividends.

Gareth named No Worries and Redcarpert Captain as the kingpins of his string last week and Celtic Captain has likely now joined them.

He also has a potentially powerful team of two-year-olds, which include four Australian-bred colts as well as SA-bred progeny of the like of Captain Al, Oratorio, Pathfork and Querari.

He still has hope for a few of his three-year-olds too, including Onesie, Captain At Sea and Venice In May.

Gareth enjoys “a very good” relationship with Chesney. Consequently, No Worries will travel up to the Highveld for the Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile next week and will then stay at Chesney’s Turffontein yard until the Sansui Summer Cup.

Jessica von Niebel has been with the Van Zyls at Summerveld for six years and now becomes Gareth’s official assistant trainer. “She is the backbone of the yard,” said Gareth.

Gavin will continue to train under his own license, but will remain Gareth’s biggest mentor.

It remains to be seen how the race day publications will separate the pair as they both have the same initials, “”GH”.

Gareth reflected on the moment he attained his own license, “It was exciting but also intimidating as I don’t know what future racing holds. But when seeing my name among the other trainers I felt honoured.”

He concluded, “My number one goal is to take horses overseas to run and I hope there will soon be changes in the export protocols to allow for such a possibility.”

David Thiselton

 

Mauritius Pronostic previews Champ De Mars Saturday Oct 29:

R1           [3] Vigilante [2] Joe’s Legacy [1] EkTha Tiger

R2           [3] Valerin [4] Beluga [1] Burg

R3           [1] Adi Star [3] Lord Al [9] Count Emmanuale

R4           [5] Elite Class [2] Moothadee [4] Sir Earl Grey

R5           [3] Scotsnog [6] Lucky Valentine [4] Door of Deception

R6           [3] Kremlin Captain [1] Charles Lytton [2] One Coold dude

R7           [2] In your dreams [1] Rebel’s Game [11] Chester Wish

R8           [5] Triad of Fortune [1] Melson [8] Var’s Dream

BEST BET	R 4	Elite Class
VALUE BET	R 1	Vigilante
P.A   R 80	Leg 1	3
Starts R 2	Leg 2	1,3,7,8,9
	Leg 3	5
	Leg 4	3
	Leg 5	1.2.3.9
	Leg 6	1.2
	Leg 7	1.5
P 6   R 480	Leg 1	1.3.7.8.9
Starts  R 3	Leg 2	5
	Leg 3	3.4.6
	Leg 4	1.2.3.9
	Leg 5	1.2
	Leg 6	1.2.5.8
Jackpot :  R 144	Leg 1	3.4.6
Starts R 5	Leg 2	1.2.3.9
	Leg 3	1.2.11
	Leg 4	1.2.5.8
P3  R 48	Leg 1	1.2.3.9
Starts R 6	Leg 2	1.2.11
	Leg 3	1.2.5.8