Heavelon van der Hoven earned almost R630 000 for winning Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar on Illuminator but it will be the end of the year before the 23-year-old from Namibia can get his hands on it – and even then he won’t get it all.

Apprentices are credited with 7.5% of winning stakes but the Jockey Academy takes a cut (it is reluctant to say how much) and the rest goes into a trust account until the end of the apprenticeship. They can draw on it in the meantime but only for specific purposes and these require JA approval.

Van der Hoven completed his five years last month but, as he hadn’t ridden 50 winners (Saturday’s success was only his 23^rd), he signed on for a further year so that he can continue to claim and riding master Terrance Welch is now arranging for him to go countrywide to increase his opportunities.

Welch said yesterday: “This couldn’t have happened to a better kid. He works his butt off and keeps his weight down so that he can ride at 50kg.”

Van der Hoven asked Glen Puller for the ride at exercise on Saturday morning when he heard that Weichong Marwing had what proved to be the most expensive sore back in the country.

Puller said: “Illuminator is a difficult boy and Heavelon rides him all the time at home. He also rode him to win his first two starts.”

Ex-jockey Puller,54, has been training since 1989 and has 38 horses at Milnerton. His immediate problem, apart from on what to spend his percentage of the near R8.4 million winning stake, is whether to geld the winner who has been haemo-concentrating.

Puller said: “Gelding is what he needs and what he ought to have. It has always been on the cards but he might just be too good for that now. We won’t rush the decision.”

Francis Carruthers, backed by Puller’s advice, bought the Klawervlei-bred Trippi colt for R180 000 at the less fashionable March sale. Carruthers, boss of a company in the nuclear power industry, parted with 20% to Ian Robinson who had his own air-conditioning business before deciding to retire. He could have made a fortune in the present climate but he still collected over R1.3 million after deductions.

Contrary to expectation there were no reports of rough-riding – or fines or suspensions – and Aldo Domeyer, beaten only three-quarters of a length on 17-10 favourite Silver Mountain, reported: “She had every chance.”

However the stipes’ report suggests that Victorious Jay, a head away third, might have finished in front of her had he not been blocked and forced to switch just under two furlongs out.

By Michael Clower
Picture: Apprentice Heavelon van der Hoven

 

The Investec Day Of Dreams meeting held at Kenilworth yesterday could not have been better named as the young claiming apprentice Heavalon van der Hoven grabbed a chance opportunity with both hands by winning the inaugural running of the CTS Million Dollar aboard outsider Illuminator, who is trained by the relatively small yard Cape Town conditioner Glen Puller.

Owners Francois Carruthers and Ian Robinson splashed out just R180,000 for the Klawervlei Stud-bred son of Trippi, who earned a cheque of over R8 million for yesterday’s race, or US$500,000 to be exact.

Weichong Marwing was originally declared to ride Illuminator but didn’t make the journey to Cape Town and Van der Hoven was declared as replacement.

The youngster was not allowed to claim his current 2,5kg apprentice allowance, but did not need it as he brought his mount to the outside from some way back in the running, thereby getting cover from the cross wind.

The 17/10 favourite from the Mike Bass yard, Silver Mountain, was handy behind a predictable furious pace and stayed on well, but she had no answer to Illuminator’s late surge. She still earned a cheque of US$200,000.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Victorious Jay was in contention right until the end but had to settle for 3rd, 0,85 lengths behind the winner. She earned US$150,000.

The KZN-trained horses the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain and the Charles Laird-trained Exit Here were beaten 2,85 lengths and 3,05 lengths in fourth and fifth, but the effort was still worthwhile as they earned cheques of $US100,000 and US$40,000 respectively.

Klawervlei earned a cheque of US$10,000 as vendors of the winner.

The big crowd were enthralled by the proceedings and the on course atmosphere was electric. With such dream beginnings this meeting looks set to become an institution in a  Cape Town January racing schedule which now matches any month of racing in the world.

Earlier, Justin Snaith and Dynasty did it in the Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby for the second time in three runnings and it was once again with an outsider. Two years ago Legislate was an unconsidered 28/1 when pouncing in the Derby and going on to be name Equus Horse Of The Year. This year the gelding It’s My Turn was brought home by Piere Strydom at odds of 16/1, although it was in a weaker field.

Snaith sent out the favourite for the Derby too, Black Arthur, whom Strydom had ridden to an impressive victory in the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m, when coming from last. However, stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe was given the ride on Black Arthur for this Gr 1 event so the end result had a touch of irony to it. Black Arthur was surprisingly handy early as the front-running type Kemal Kavur set moderate fractions in front. Strydom was caught wide but admitted later the cross wind in the straight helped him as the horse he followed in the straight drifted to the outside and offered him valuable cover.

The strongly fancied Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas runner up Brazuca had to be pushed along at the back of the field most the way, but scythed through the field  in the straight. However, it was too late and he was beaten two lengths. Politician Stakes runner up Marinaresco reversed form with Black Arthur to claim third place. Black Arthur just got up for fourth at the expense of Kemal Kavur, who looked a possible winner until late in the race.

It’s My Turn was bred by Willem Engelbrecht and is owned by Fred Crabbia.

The Mike Bass-trained Inara retained her Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes crown, having finished second last time out in her defence of the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes title. Same Jurisdiction was all the rage, landing a good draw for a change over a suitable trip, and was backed in to 11/20, while Inara drifted out to 13/2.

Anton Marcus had Same Jurisdiction perfectly poised in a handy position. Inara was about eight lengths off the lead in midfield in a stretched out field. Same Jurisdiction was sent for home at the 400m and lengthened into the lead but Inara looked threatening on the outside and duly cut her down late to win by 0,75 lengths. Inara’s stablemate Lanner Falcon flew for third, although 3,25 lengths behind the winner, and the pacemaker Bichette stayed on for fourth ahead of Fear Not.

It was a notable trifecta for  Drakenstein Stud, because Inara by Trippi was bred and is owned by them, Same Jurisdiction is owned by them and Lanner Falcon was owned and bred by them.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Liesl King

The Glen Puller-trained Illuminator downed favorite Silver Mountain to win the inaugural CTS Million Dollar at Kenilworth racecourse yesterday.

The result was a dream for apprentice Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who picked up the winning ride on the colt after scheduled rider Weichong Marwing was stood down. Van Der Hoven, while still an apprentice, looked a likely choice to replace Marwing as he knows the colt (described by his trainer as difficult) well, and had ridden Illuminator to victory in his first two starts. The pair are now unbeaten in three starts.

Illuminator, coming off a second in the Listed Sophomore Sprint, was allowed to start a 16-1 chance, with World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) favorite Silver Mountain being dispatched a 17-10 favorite for what was the richest horse race ever run on African soil.

The field spread out across the track with 400 meters to go, with early front runners dropping out of contention. Silver Mountain produced what looked a strong run down the center of the track, but further out, Illuminator was producing a fast late finish and got up to prevail by three parts of a length, with Silver Mountain just edging Victorious Jay for second prize of $200 000.

Fourth home was Seventh Plain, with last year’s champion now yet to win in three appearances as a 3-year-old.

Illuminator’s success was a memorable triumph for veteran Cape trainer Glen Puller, as well as his loyal and longstanding owners. Puller said of his choice to ride an apprentice, “He (Illuminator) is a difficult boy but Heavelon knows him well. I knew he would do his best work late on.”

For Heavelon Van Der Hoven it was truly a dream come true, with the young rider overcome after his win.

“After I found out about Weichong (being stood down), I quickly asked for the ride. I get on well with the horse and know him well,” Van Der Hoven said. “He was a bit sluggish out the gates, but I tracked Aldo (Domeyer on Silver Mountain) and felt confident coming for home. He is an amazing horse.”

Bred by last season’s champion breeders Klawervlei Stud, Illuminator will take his place in the record books as one of the great buys in South African history. He cost owners Francis Carruthers and Ian Robinson just R180 000 ($10,929) at the 2014 March Yearling Sale. Following Saturday’s win, he has earned more than R8,000,000 ($485,730).

A son of Trippi, Illuminator is out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Pacific Lights, a stakes-placed half sister to Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (SAF-I) winner Silver Arc.

The Million Dollar, which will be run in two $500,000 contests next year, formed part of three major features on Saturday’s Investec Day Of Dreams race card. The Day of Dreams, held for the first time this year, came about as a result of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and Investec Bank joining forces to put together the richest horse race event in African history.

The first of the two other features saw 16-1 shot It’s My Turn cause an upset when the unheralded gelding won the Investec Cape Derby (SAF-I). Rated by the handicapper more than 20 pounds inferior to fancied runner Brazuca and eight pounds below stablemate Black Arthur, It’s My Turn appeared to have it all to do at the weights, but proved himself as a horse with a future over ground.

It’s My Turn, who was giving trainer Justin Snaith a third win in the Derby, was given a fine ride by former champion jockey Piere Strydom, who bought his mount with a late run up the outside while the majority of the field followed front runner Kemal Kavur down the inside.

Fred Crabbia’s It’s My Turn defeated recent group I winner Brazuca, who finished second, with Marinaresco third after being tricky in the parade. It’s My Turn’s stablemate, and favorite, Black Arthur, could only finish back in fourth. The winning jockey had ridden Black Arthur to victory in the Cartier Politician Stakes (SAF-III) only to subsequently to lose the ride.

Bred by Willem Engelbrecht Jr, It’s My Turn has now won twice in just five outings and earned more than R700 000 ($42,500) in stakes. His sire Dynasty, who won the Cape Derby back in 2003, has certainly left his mark on the Kenilworth classic, with It’s My Turn being his third son to win the race.

The third major race on the day, the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (SAF-I), proved a triumph for Drakenstein Stud, who owned the first three past the post.

The farm, whose resident sire Trippi dominated the feature race proceedings Saturday, bred and owns both the winner Inara and third-place Lanner Falcon. Drakenstein is part owner of runner-up and favorite Same Jurisdiction.

Inara, who was winning the Majorca Stakes for a second year in a row, provided the Bass yard with some consolation after Million favorite Silver Mountain could only manage second in the day’s rich feature.

Jockey Grant Van Niekerk, who picked up his first group I success aboard Inara when the pair landed the 2015 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, adores his winner, and said after partnering Inara to a late running, three parts of a length win on Saturday, “I love this filly, she always tries so hard. She has a big heart and is really special to me.”

Saturday’s win was a third group I victory for Inara, who stopped the clock in 1:39.68. She has now won six of 16 outings with the 4-year-old having banked over R2.6 million ($157,862).
By Sarah Whitelaw for Bloodhorse.com
Pictures: Liesl King

The Investec Day Of Dreams meeting at Kenilworth tomorrow will have a feverish atmosphere due to the running of by far the richest race in South African history, the CTS Million Dollar over 1400m, and to whet the appetite the meeting also features the Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby over 2000m and the Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m.

The Mike Bass-trained filly Silver Mountain was a touch unlucky not to have done the Cape Fillies and Cape Guineas double and on official merit rating is very well treated at the weights. She is brilliant and her good gate speed and electric turn of foot should make the 1400m trip ideal, especially from a plum draw of five. However, it would be a brave punter to take odds of even money about a small filly in a race where no quarter will be given.

Prince Of Thieves is officially 7kg out at the weights with Silver Mountain but impressed last time out over course and distance when turning it on effortlessly and cruising in by 3,75 lengths carrying 60kg off a 95 merit rating in a MR 86 Handicap against older horses. Bernard Fayd’Herbe has plenty of BMT and they will end up jumping from a middle draw of eight, which might be ideal in the hurly burly of such a race.

Exit Here has plenty of class and his pole position draw is ideal for his style in which he likes to be handy, although as one who stays further he will like the pace to be as fast as possible.

The pace could well be set by Swift Sarah from a plum draw of three as she has excellent gatespeed and early pace. Her only attempt at 1400m can be excused as nothing went right, but there is still a slight stamina doubt and her jockey might slow it up if reaching the front easily, so Anthony Delpech on Exit Here will likely have this in mind and might make it tough for Swift Sarah to get around him.

Sandwiched between them is another  front-running type, Hard Day’s Night, who will be ridden by master tactician Piere Strydom. What plan will this master of his craft have up his sleeve?

Another master Anton Marcus is aboard the best rated male in the race Seventh Plain, but didn’t dismiss riding Exit Here lightly. Seventh Plain has a wide draw to overcome but the maestro trainer Dennis Drier will have him spot on and the flat finish he produced in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over this distance might be relegated to distant memory.

Redcarpet Captain looked a picture upon arrival in Cape Town and is ideally distance suited. He has a deceptively good turn of foot, so a fast paced race will work in his favour, allowing him to perhaps slot in from a wide draw before finishing strongly.

Ernie is another distance suited horse with a fine turn of foot, so he should be running on from a wide draw.

Victorious Jay ran on from off the pace when only 0,3 lengths behind Silver Mountain in the Cape Guineas and will likely have to do the same from a wide draw here.

Lunar Approach impressed over this trip at Turffontein and the form has worked out well so he is probably higher than his 96 merit rating suggests, although he will need luck from his draw.

Illuminator stays the trip and is drawn well under top jockey Weichong Marwing, but does have to reverse form with all of Hard Day’s Night, Ernie, Silver Mountain and , Victorious Jay and has a tough task at the weights maintaining form against Seventh Plain.

Melliflora is a courageous sort but the form of her best races might be a touch suspect.

Varumba has a tough task from the widest draw of all as one with a slight stamina doubt.

A Time To Dream has many lengths to find on Silver Mountain on Cape Fillies Guineas form but is likely improving being by Dynasty.

Jo’s Bond and Tar Heel have obvious stamina doubts, but their speed could be a factor if they are ridden cold and find suitable cover, and this will be easier for Tar Heel from his plum draw of 5.

The selection is Prince of Thieves to beat Silver Mountain with Redcarpet Captain, Exit Here and Seventh Plain next best.

The Cape Derby is competitive and an upset would be no surprise. However, Brazuca is a worthy favourite from pole position as he was staying on late when runner up in the Cape Guineas, so looks likely to stay the trip, and the form looks strong. Jet Air could be the dark horse as he stayed on well in the Cape Guineas too and is an outsider tipped to run second. Black Arthur has done nothing wrong and looks to be a horse on the up so he should go close from a good draw of five.

Marinaresco was close behind Black Arthur in the Politician and is preferred to Jet Air according to jockey arrangements. Eastern Charm should relish the trip and is interesting from a good draw with blinkers.

A high class field lines up for the Majorca, but everything points to the brilliant Same Jurisdiction as she gets a plum draw over an ideal trip and is said to be spot on, after not much went right for her in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over the a trip of 1800m that is a touch too far. Following her home could be the defending champion Inara, who has exceptional form over course and distance. Double Whammy is unfortunately widely drawn but will be at her peak over a suitable trip and could beat Lanner Falcon and Lohnromance into third, although two others to consider are Alexis and Eventual Angel.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura (pictured), one of the few at yesterday’s J & B Met gallops asked to exert himself in anything like earnest, impressed when partnered by big race jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Last year’s winner worked on his own at a good pace from halfway down the back straight and quickened up nicely in the last 300m.

Fayd’Herbe, bidding for his fourth Met win, said: “He had a workout and it was good one. I think he would have come on from his Queen’s Plate run and he will be ready for Saturday week.”

Craig du Plooy, who rides expected pacemaker Krambambuli,  deputised for Piere Strydom (in Dubai to ride Harry’s Son yesterday evening) on Legislate and was mightily impressed with the Durban July winner.

He said: “That was an outstanding gallop and the best he has ever been for me. They have got the horse at his best at the right time.”

Anton Marcus was aboard Legal Eagle when the Queen’s Plate winner went with last year’s runner-up Gold Onyx (S’Manga Khumalo). At least they hacked down to the six furlong marker together. Legal Eagle came back on his own, extending over the last 300m, and Gold Onyx followed about a furlong behind.

Sean Tarry said: “It was just going through the motions but it was exactly what Legal Eagle wanted and he seems to be moving well. I think Gold Onyx could again run into a place. He over-raced in the Queen’s Plate.”

Marcus added: “I don’t think you can read much into these gallops but I was happy with Legal Eagle.”

So too was Corne Orffer with Captain America. The Horse Chestnut winner  did a solo spin at a workmanlike pace with his rider reporting: “That was a very good gallop and his wind is good.”

Most of the big names drew well, a notable exception being Master Sabina at 14, and the Sansui Summer Cup winner’s trainer Geoff Woodruff has had a double blow as Deo Juvente is unlikely to run after suffering a nasty cut on his left stifle.

Woodruff explained: “He went for a roll at Milnerton and buried in the sand was a piece of a broken glass bottle that cut into him.”

Master Sabina was ridden by Thomas van Rensburg in a spin over a mile. He wasn’t asked to do much – indeed he spent most of the time looking around at his new surroundings – despite quickening inside the final furlong.  Compere Neil Andrews was moved to comment: “He did as much as I do when I go to the gym!”

Smart Call, the only filly in the race, caught the eye when partnered by Marcus and convincingly drew away from As You Like (Orffer) in the final furlong with an understandably pleased Alec Laird remarking: “She was impressive.”

By Michael Clower
Pictures: Liesl King