One of the two-year-olds to follow next season is undoubtedly Sunday’s Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes winner, the Dennis Drier-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt Hack Green.

As part owner Hassen Adams remarked after the race, Hack Green had “looked the splitting image of his father” when he saw him at the Sale and he had to have him.

Gimethegreenlight throws them in all sizes and this colt is one of the bigger ones around.

Drier said in the winner’s enclosure on Sunday he had made an early prediction of Hack Green’s ability and had told the connections he felt they had “a bit of a star here”.

Hack Green (Nkosi Hlophe)

Jockey Veale said this “special horse” gave him “a tremendous feel” everyday in work.

Veale was confident after cantering down on Sunday and felt it would take a good one to beat the good looking Varsfontein-bred colt.

He duly rode a confident race, reining his mount back from a wide draw early on.

Hack Green quickened superbly in the straight and burst through the centre to hit the front just before the 100m mark. He went on to win by three lengths.

He is in good hands and the maestro trainer will likely be wanting to put an overall disappointing season by his high standards behind him.

Even then Drier romped home in the KZN Trainer’s championship with 81 winners to Duncan Howells’ 72.

However, the yard lacked a Gr 1 winner for the first time in many a season, and the likely backlash makes the yard’s young horses a must to follow this term.

David Thiselton

Midlands breeder Bruce le Roux of Spring Valley Stud was thrilled when an expensive plan came together at Greyville on Sunday courtesy of the Duncan Howells-trained Var filly A Womens Way.

The filly cantered down to the start exceptionally well and returned full of running, despite jumping from a wide draw, and just got up under Ian Sturgeon.

Le Roux said, “It was only her second start and it was a Gr 2, so she has already done what she needed to do and everything from now on will be a bonus.” Le Roux owns the unbeaten Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm Stud-bred filly in partnership with Tinus Gericke.

Le Roux had travelled to last year’s CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January in search of a well-bred filly by either Var or Captain Al. He said, “In my opinion A Womens Way was the nicest filly on the sale, but I didn’t think I would have the money.”

Her full sister had cost R900,000 at the previous year’s National Yearling Sale.

Le Roux’s fears were exacerbated when he saw how good A Womens Way looked upon being walked out of her box. Therefore, he asked her to be returned to the box almost immediately.

When the bidding quickly reached R400,000 he became demoralised and was ready to throw in the towel, but his wife jabbed him in the ribs and said “if you want her you must get her”, so he plugged on and managed to land her for his maximum of R500,000.

He said, “We were lucky to get her for that price.”

A Womens Way was backed from 7/1 into 11/2 on debut over 1000m at Scottsville on May 11 and won by 0,75 lengths. The form now looks strong. The Drier-trained filly she beat, Anime, was beaten 2,5 lengths into third over 1200m next time out by subsequent Gr 1 winner Querari Falcon with subsequent KZN Yearling Million winner Lunar Rush filling the second place. Anime then won by 4,75 lengths in her third start over 1000m at Scottsville.

A Womens Way has got her “litte quirks” according to Le Roux and in her second start had to be scratched after being loaded first and then rearing and dumping the jockey.

Michael Shaw is gaining an increasing reputation as a “horse whisperer” and he put in plenty of work at the stalls with A Womens Way, which enabled her to regain her starting stall certificate. Michael was also with her at the start on Sunday, where she was perfectly well behaved. Michael hails from the famous Laird clan. He is the son of Summerveld trainer Therese Micthley, who is the daughter of Russel Laird, brother of Syd. Russel was a fine trainer in his own right.

A Womens Way jumped superbly on Sunday, as progeny of Var often do, and this enabled her to slot into a handy position. She then displayed the kick typical of Var’s progeny and was also able to stave off the determined challenge of Arissa in the closing stages.

Le Roux admitted A Womens Way had her issues but nothing a trainer of Howells class could not handle.

Howells had a fine day on Sunday from beginning to end. He also won a minor race as well as finishing second in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes with Dawn Calling, fourth in the Gr 1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup with Saratoga Dancer and fourth in the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet with Patchit Up Baby.

Ashburton would have been celebrating this week because Paul Gadsby also brought home a trophy, courtesy of Gunner winning the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes.

Le Roux said Howells was of the belief A Womens Way would stay up to a mile in time, so the CTS US$500,000 Sales race to be staged at Turffontein next January over 1600m might be on the cards.

David Thiselton

Marinaresco is officially trained by Candice Robinson now and has been accorded a 110 merit rating by the handicappers after winning the Gr 1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville in impressive style on Sunday.

Durban-based handicapper Mathew Lipps said about the decision to raise the classy colt by just one point, “It was not the strongest Gr 1. In time he will probably be running to a lot higher, but for now he is running to a 110.”

It is not for a long time a horse has been seen in the country with such an exceptional turn of foot.

He made up some seventeen metres in the straight in the Vodacom Durban July and from a hopeless position was beaten just a quarter-of-a-length.

On Sunday he was stopped in his tracks at the 350m mark when two horses came together in front of him. However, despite being jostled and having his momentum affected the diminutive gelding managed to pick up quickly and then rocketed home to win easily. Commentator Craig Peters could not contain his excitement and shouted “Go you baby!!” as the fairytale everybody wanted unfolded.

It was the legendary Cape trainer Mike Bass’s last day before official retirement and he had landed the race named in his honour.

Jockey Grant van Niekerk called Marinaresco the next “Pocket Power”. The latter horse also raced in the famous blue, pink and white colours of Marsh Shirtliff.

However, as it was Marinaresco’s first Gr 1 victory, Mike is unlikely to be as quick to compare him to the great nine-times Gr 1 winner.

Meanwhile, the Gr 2 eLan Property Group Gold Cup winner, the Mike de Kock-trained Enaad, was raised the maximum ten points to 99, although Lipps added he had not raced to any higher than that merit rating.

David Thiselton

KZN’s first meeting of the new season today has eight competitive races on the poly and punters could make up for the general losses experienced in a tough eLan Gold Cup meeting on Sunday.

In the first race over 1000m Just Vogue looks to have some class on top of her pace and should run all the way to the line. Aphrodeity’s Rain was a bit keen in behind runners on debut over course and distance after being slowly away but ran on well and Delpech has stayed aboard, albeit from a tough draw. At Variance is at her best over 1000m and has a fair draw with a 2,5kg claimer up.

In the second race over 1600m Joy To Joy is an honest sort who has run well from a similarly wide draw over 1400m on the turf and she proved last time she enjoys this course and distance. In the aforementioned 1400m race she touched off White Rose, who had jumped from a better draw, and the latter is better drawn here too. White Rose is by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare who won over 1600m so she should enjoy this step up in trip. However, a concern is she made a breathing noise in that 1400m race at the end of May and hasn’t run since. Willowgrange can earn here if repeating her last run over course and distance. She is widely drawn but Anthony Delpech is now up. Dress For Success improved last time to run a fair race over this trip on the turf and has the same 4kg claimer up albeit from a wide draw. L’Attitude is another who could earn despite a wide draw. The Mike de Kock-trained Silver Causeway is by Silvano out of a Giant’s Causeway mare who hasn’t produced a winner yet from three runners. The Gavin van Zyl-trained Maximum Refund is by Tiger Ridge out of a Rich Man’s Gold mare who has produced a one-time winner at Flamingo Park from three runners.

In the third race over 1600m Coastal Spell goes for a hattrick and can achieve it off only a two point higher mark than her last win which was over the course and distance. All Mine steps back to the trip she had won over before being tried in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and she should be right there despite a wide draw. Wandie’s also goes for a hattrick and is only three points higher than her last win, but although this is a suitable course and distance the wide draw is a concern. Silken might prefer further but has gone close over this trip before and is drawn well in her first attempt at the poly. Ruby Gem won her maiden over course and distance but is back to the 72 merit rating which she had appeared to battle off in her first few handicaps.

In the fourth over 2000m the big horse Visionaire gelding At Long Last is a staying type and should improve further, although a wide draw of ten is not ideal. Mambo will appreciate the step back up in trip and has a fine chance with Anton Marcus up from a plum draw. For Ever also has a wide draw to overcome but has the form to earn.

In the fifth over 1000m Anime was impressive when scooting in over 1000m at Scottsville last time. She beat Just Vogue easily, so the latter’s run in the first should be watched. Anime looks capable of rising above her 84 merit rating. Winter Darling is knocking hard and is well drawn over an ideal course and distance with Anton Marcus up. The talented Vampirella has her third run after a rest over an ideal course and distance and jumps from pole position.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

In the sixth over 1000m Jason Argo went close over course and distance last time from a similar wide draw when showing good gatespeed and early pace, allowing him to slot into a fair position before running on. Significantly Delpech is now aboard.  He faces Ilanga on 1kg better terms for a short-head beating. The latter is now very widely drawn which is a problem because although he likes to come from off the pace he can be strong in the early stages. Destined For Dawn is preferred as the main danger. He is off an attractive merit rating and his last run over course and distance can be ignored as he missed the break and his run on the outside was then blocked. His good draw with a 4kg claimer up is perfect for his usual style which incorporates good gatespeed and early pace. Kept Secret has a nice draw for a change over a suitable course and distance. Delicious Damowin comes down to an attractive merit rating.

In the seventh over 1200m Master’s Spirit is widely drawn but flew from behind In his first run after gelding and can do so again. Executive Power should love the course and distance from a good draw. The Stone Thrower has topweight but has the pace and class to be a threat. Aldric is speedy and could be dangerous from a low draw with a 4kg claimer up. Silence Descends is off a competitive merit rating. Mr Roy, Al Ciberano and Kiss Me Hardy can’t be ignored in this open race.

In the eighth over 1400m, Dynamic Force is only two points higher after winning over course and distance last time and as he over raced in that event he will have a big shout if settling from pole position with the blinkers now off and Delpech still aboard. Hejira looks leniently merit rated after a facile maiden win over course and distance and Marcus is up again. Big Si is 3,5kg better off with Dynamic Force for a short-head beating so must have a shout.

David Thiselton

Sean Tarry and S’manga Khumalo were officially crowned Champion Trainer and Jockey respectively with the season coming to an end on Sunday.

Tarry notched a record 209 wins for the season to retain his title and Khumalo 242 for his second, his first coming two years back in 2013. Tarry was key to Khumalo’s success on both occasions and the pair rounded off their season in fitting manner with Hyaku winning the last race at Greyville on Sunday night.

Both Tarry and Khumalo were well clear of their rivals going into the final month of the season and will have been airing their tuxedoes for the Equus Awards weeks ago.

Justin Snaith finished runner-up in the trainer’s championship with 191 winners with Mike Bass –  never crowned National Champion – in third place as he heads into retirement.

Tarry’s runners earned nearly R28 million in stakes, R9 million more than Snaith.

Mike de Kock finished top of the KZN log followed by Gavin van Zyl, Dennis Drier and Duncan Howells.

Bass was champion Western Cape trainer ahead of Snaith while Tarry finished nearly R10 million ahead of second-placed Mike Azzie in the Highveld championship.

The apprentice title proved a lot closer with Lyle Hewitson making heavy inroads into Callan Murry’s lead in the seven months that Hewitson became a licensed apprentice.

Hewitson, who cut his teeth in the work riders ranks finishing champion last season, was in hot demand from trainers who quickly picked up on his talent and used his 4kg claim to their benefit, including Tarry.

Hewitson lost his claim in record time but was still five winners shy of Murray’s 78 winners for the season.

Ingrid and Markus Jooste were once again crowned Champion Owners but it was a close run thing with Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren only R800k behind with Chris van Niekerk in third.

The race for the Champion Stallion title was also a close-run race with the Drakenstein-based Trippi (Ends Sweep) edging out former champion Silvano (Lomitas) on the last day of the season.

Trippi started Sunday’s Group Gold Cup meeting about R800,000 ahead of Silvano but Marinaresco’s win in the R1 million Gr1 Mike and Carol Bass Championship had Trippi’s connections on tenterhooks. Had Nightingale managed to win the Gr2 Gold Bracelet, Silvano would have snatched the title on the line. Second place however, was not enough and Silvano fell just short at the final hurdle.

Super sire Captain Al (Al Mufti) once again finished Champion Two-year-old sire ahead of Var (Forest Wildcat) while Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready), third on the two-year-old list, was crowned Champion Freshman Sire.

The Varsfontein-based Gimmethegreenlight rounded off his season in fine style with Hack Green winning the Gr2 Umkomazi Stakes for Dennis Drier to give his sire his first Graded Stakes winner but the Paul Gadsby-trained Gunner went one better two races later winning the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes.

Summerhill Stud, who relinquished their Champion Breeders title to Klawervlei two seasons ago after a run of nine straight titles, came back to pip their rivals this term to earn their tenth championship. Again it was a close run thing with Summerhill finishing R600k ahead of their rivals. Third on the Breeder’s log was Lammerskraal with a phenomenal 58.6% winners to runners

The Equus Awards will take place at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg on Tuesday, August 16.

Andrew Harrison