Stalwart stud farm manager Pippa Mickelburgh achieved her dream of breeding the winner of the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate for Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm over the weekend, courtesy of the brilliant Sean Tarry-trained Legal Eagle, and the farm staff and owners are now excitedly looking forward to next week’s CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sales as it heralds the auction debut in this country of their regal stallion Oratorio.

Mickelburgh said, “Breeding the Met or July winner would bring more coverage, but the Queen’s Plate is weight for age and attracts the best horses in the country.”

Mickelburgh’s intuition played a big part in the breeding of Legal Eagle. She said, “His dam Young Sensation’s progeny had tended to lack substance, they were quite light-framed, so I looked first to put a bit of ruggedness and coarseness into them and Grey’s Inn fitted the requirement on the physical side. Grey’s Inn’s sire Zabeel has also been known worldwide to be successful with lines of Northern Dancer and Young Sensation brought two of those lines. The computer confirmed my thoughts and assessed it to be a fantastic mating.”

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Avontuur have kept a relatively small band of broodmares, which was 28 and now with more space available can be increased to 35, and they are always looking to improve the band at the top end. Ironically, Legal Eagle’s dam, the National Emblem mare Young Sensation, was one of two sold to make way for retired Gr 1 winners River Jetez and Bambina Stripes, because her progenies’ performance before the arrival of Legal Eagle had not been outstanding.
Mickelburgh had no regrets about selling Young Sensation and wished the new owner all the best.

She explained, “We will continue to enjoy the success of Legal Eagle and the accolade of having bred him. It would have been nice to have a brother or sister, but ultimately it is the big races like the Queen’s Plate upon which stud farms are judged. If you look at farms like Highlands and Maine Chance, mares die, stallions change, but they just continue to have good returns year after year. It must have something to do with the pastures and the soil and the make up of the land. A good calibre of horse is being produced from the soil of Avontuur and despite having only 28 broodmares our goal is to produce one Gr 1 per year. Last season we only just failed with Cold As Ice in the Majorca and she is a great advert having stayed sound and now having won in the UK.”

Avontuur in fact had easily the highest average earnings per runner in the country last season, a highly important statistic as an indicator of quality.

Avontuur have had phenomenal success with their resident stallion Var. Oratorio will complement him perfectly.
Mickelburgh said, “People say Danehill’s sons can produce X, Y or Z but Oratorio is producing, big strong, powerful horses with good hindquarters, and I think their biggest attribute will be their durability. He is producing Gr 1 and Gr 2 winners at the age of 6 and 8. Therefore his progeny must be sound and tough and they can obviously handle their racing. If you want an 800m winner or Scottsville two-year-old Gr 1 winner, he is not for you, but he is our hope of producing a July or a Met winner. He is the opposite of Var.”

Mickelburgh pointed out that Australia’s sale of Oratorio should not be seen as a negative, because the entire life of a stallion in that country was based on speed and precocity due to the nature of their racing program.

She pointed out “High Chaparal, Rock Of Gibraltar, and the biggest one of all, Galileo, were all dismissed from Australia. By the time Oratorio was sold he was already producing three-year-old and four-year-old Group winners in Europe.”

Mickelburgh regards Lot 134, Ancestry, out of Gr 3-winning Windrush mare A Daughter’s Legacy, as her favourite Oratorio colt on the CPYS Sale.

“He has a lovely head and neck and is very strong.”

His filly which has attracted most attention is Lot 29, Hot Chocolate, out of Gr 2-winning Silvano mare Mochachino, who is from a popular family, but Mickelburgh’s personal favourite is Lot 25, Seraphic, out of the Var mare Menorah. “She is the jewel in the crown,” she said.

Mickelburgh concluded, “Var’s draft is outstanding too and of course we’re not forgetting him but this is Oratorio’s time.”

By David Thiselton

The meeting at the Vaal today is on the Inside track meaning low draws will be favoured in all races, according to trends.

The first is a Workrider’s Maiden over 2000m and Jackies Joy should appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree and has a classy rider aboard. Kelly Firth is course and distance suited, and also comes from good formlines, while his good draw and an in-form rider aboard are further plusses. Cup Bearer did well over this distance from a wide draw at Turffontein last time and is now drawn in pole.

The second is MR 85 Handicap for filllies and mares over 1200m and it’s a tough one to assess but Lady Al could be the one to side with as her normal slow start shouldn’t be much of a disadvantage in a field of this size and she is drawn on the right side off a lowered merit rating. Tiger’s Touch is 1,5kg worse off with Lady Al having beaten her by 1,2 lengths over 1160m last time and the tactical nous of Gavin Lerena should give her a chance of following up. Easy Street has a chance if bouncing back from her last start when something appeared to be amiss.

Piere Strydom

The third is a Maiden over 1400m for fillies and mares and  For Show Me Angel is reunited with Piere Strydom who did well on her over 1200m in her penultimate and they have a fair draw. Uproar should be running on and might be able to overcome the high draw by being dropped out. Miss Wales should be improving so can do better than her last slightly disappointing run over this trip.

The fourth is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m and South Atlantic made a decent debut over 1200m and will appreciate the step up in trip so could reverse form with Runa long, who doesn’t look to have as much scope and there has now been a reversal in draw fortunes. Runalong has first-time blinkers on in a weak field over a suitable course and distance with Gavin Lerena up so should be thereabouts again. Spring Indeed could improve on her debut effort.

The fifth is a Novice Plate over 1400m and should be at the mercy of Rikitikitana who has plenty of class and is having his third run on the Highveld over a trip he enjoys. Duke Nukem is the danger over his optimum trip, but it’s a concern he’s made breathing noises in his last three. King’s Archer could earn over a suitable trip from a good draw.

The sixth is a Maiden over 1700m and Smartifact looks the one to side with as he has run well in both career starts despite being found to have coughed both times. The progressive Hermoso Mundo will be running on from a good draw and looks the only danger. Chestnut Charlie has not been disgraced in two races which have worked out well and is likely to love the step up in trip.

The seventh is a MR 72 Handicap over 1700m and the penny is still dropping with the unbeaten His Legacy who will appreciate the step up in trip and as a horse who is going places could make it three from three from a good draw under Lerena. Gentleman Only is distance suited and drawn well. Street Flyer has been competitive off this merit rating and is well drawn over a trip he should stay.

The eighth is a MR 75 handicap over 2400m and Silver Matador makes appeal back in a handicap having run above his merit rating in a Pinnacle event last time over this trip at Turffontein.

The ninth is a Maiden over 2400m and Go Fly A Kite looks likely to be distance suited and Lerena is up. Yours And Mine will also enjoy the trip and there is not much between him and the first choice on the evidence of their last clash.

By David Thiselton

There are two Dubai Carnival meetings this week and Mike de Kock will saddle runners at both.

At Meydan on tomorrow, Alareef (Sam Hitchcott) has been entered for Race 1, the Mina Rashid over 1600m on dirt. A South African-bred by Stronghold, the five-year-old’s formline shows four places from five starts in Dubai, but he faded right out to trail in 21 lengths behind Stormardal in a handicap on New Year’s Day and De Kock said: “That was a very disappointing run I just can’t explain because Alareef is physically fine.

“I can’t predict with any measure of accuracy how he will perform in the Mina Rashid but we’ll be hoping for improvement. We’re removing his tongue-tie, perhaps the change of gear will make a difference.”

Sheikh Hamdan’s Australian-bred filly, Almashooqa (Paul Hanagan), makes her Dubai debut in Race 2, the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial over 1400m on dirt, sponsored by DP World.

Forries Waltz (Nkosi Hlophe)

The stable’s Ad Idem was beaten a short-head by top class Local Time in this race last year and De Kock commented: “I’d consider Al Mashooqa in the league of Ad Idem, perhaps even better. She is the second-highest rated filly in the race, but she is one of ours that had to travel from South Africa. She’s only been in training here six weeks or so, we have her probably 80-85% fit, but she is by successful sand sire Bernardini and should take to the dirt.  It’s a decent field, trainer Doug Watson has a filly that won by a distance here first time out, but we’ll be crossing fingers for a good run from Al Mashooqa.”

Another older stable stalwart, Mujaarib (Hanagan), will go to post in the Listed Singspiel Stakes over 1800m on turf.  The now seven-year-old raced three times in good company last season, but did seem a little lacklustre and De Kock said: “Mujaarib is in better form than he was last year. He’s a happy horse, he’s got running in him and he likes to race fresh. When he arrived here two seasons ago he surprised us winning first time out winning a Group 2 race so you never know, we’re keen to see how he goes.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and partners’ Forries Waltz (Christophe Soumillon) and Rock Cocktail (Wayne Smith) are two very capable form runners in a competitive handicap over 1600 on turf that closes the Thursday meeting. Mike spoke highly of both, saying: “They were among our South African travellers last year and as we’ve see with some of them, they take some time to settle in. They were some way off their best in their handful of runs last year.

“From what I’ve seen so far this term, Forries Waltz and Rock Cocktail are in a better frame of mind and their work has been good, better than last year. I’m expecting both to run well with a preference for Forries Waltz.”

There are two De Kock runners in Meydan’s opener on Saturday. Baroot (Wayne Smith) and Jununee (Dane O’Neill) will be lining up in a Maiden Plate over 1900m on dirt. Mike assessed: “Baroot ran on well over 1400m last time, if he stays the distance I fancy he can fight it out. Jununee shows us nothing at home.”

– www.mikedekockracing.com

Same Jurisdiction, who suffered an over-reach on her near-fore after finishing fourth in last Saturday’s Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, was none the worse yesterday and is set to take her chance in the Klawervlei Majorca on Saturday week.

Duncan Howells said: “She over-reached on one pastern but it didn’t cut the skin, just grazed it. She is fine and I have accepted for the Majorca with her. All going well, she will be running but I have scratched her from the J & B Met a week later.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Charles Laird-trained Exit Here and the Gavin van Zyl-trained Redcarpet Captain have both been prepared in more ways than one for the country’s most expensive ever race, the CTS Million Dollar to be run at the Investec Day Of Dreams meeting at Kenilworth on January 23.

Every precaution has been taken to ensure they will be there no matter the travel restrictions which could potentially be placed on Summerveld-based horses at a time of the year when the risk of African horse sickness (AHS) outbreaks are historically quite high. This is because entry into the AHS Free Zone in the Western Cape is subject to strict movement controls to ensure that AHS virus does not enter South Africa’s export zone.

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

Both horses’ stables have been “vector protected” to state veterinarian approved standards. They have been completely sealed off from top to bottom largely through the use of shade cloth. They are only allowed out to exercise two hours after sunrise and must be stabled two hours before sunset. This is because the culicoides midge which carries the AHS virus is primarily active during the night.

Exit Here will leave for Cape Town at around midnight on Friday night (15 January), provided there has not been an outbreak of AHS within a 40km radius of Summerveld. If, however, there has been an outbreak, he will only be permitted to load onto the float, which will also be vector protected, during the vector-safe time of the day (2hrs after sunrise).

This is to ensure that he is not exposed to potentially infected midges during the loading process. In such a scenario his departure will be delayed until just after 7.a.m on Saturday morning and gives an indication of how strict the State Veterinary measures are. He is due to arrive in Colesberg on Saturday where he will spend the night under observation by the local state veterinarian. He will then complete the journey to Kenilworth Racecourse, where two potential places of residency have been set up for him upon his arrival on Sunday.

If he has had to travel from an AHS outbreak area, he will be accommodated under vector protected conditions at the Kenilworth Quarantine Station, otherwise he will be allowed to stay under normal conditions in the Kenilworth Racecourse stables.

Redcarpet Captain, who is due to depart on Tuesday next week, is subject to the same conditions although he will have a shorter turnaround time in Colesberg, in order to stretch his legs, before completing the journey.

The Million Dollar is going to have an atmosphere of unique proportions in South African racing history and the million dollars will be split as follows: US$500,000 to the winner, US$200,000 to the runner up, US$150,000 for third, US$100,000 for fourth and US$40,000 for fourth. The remaining US$10,000 will go to the vendor who sold the winner.

Charles laird has an outstanding record in Sales races and will be looking to retain his current status as trainer of the winner of the richest race in South African history. Laird won the 2014 running of the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein with the aptly name filly Rich Girl, as the race carried a stake of R3,85 million, the highest to date in South African history. Laird also won that same race in 2010, when it was worth R1,5 million, with the filly Hollywoodboulevard, who defeated the mighty Igugu.

Redcarpet Captain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anton Marcus was aboard Rich Girl in her big win and is the regular pilot for Exit Here. The Jay Peg colt is one of Marcus’ options for the Million Dollar, as he is part-owned by the owner who retains him, Markus Jooste, although he races in the colours of Alesh Naidoo. However, Marcus said on Monday that he is “at the moment” on the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain, a dual Gr 1-winner. Seventh Plain was second on the final Million Dollar log off his merit rating of 109, compared to Exit Here’s third on the log a 105 merit rating.

The final field and draw announcement for the Million Dollar will take place live on Tellytrack at 13h50 on Thursday. Marcus’ final decision on whom to ride might depend on the draw.

One asset Exit Here definitely has is the stamina to stay the 1400m trip. He has won his last five in a row and three of these have been over 1600m, including an easy win in the Listed KZN Guineas Trial, and two have been over 1400m. He proved the suitability of the 1400m trip last time in a handicap against older horses on the Greyville poly, when leading from start to finish and winning with a ton in hand.

Gavin van Zyl will be attempting to make it two Sales races out of two in the Cape Summer Of Champions Season, having won the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes with Budapest. His son Gareth trains owner Brian Burnard’s horses in the new compartmentalised structure of the yard and the latter owns both Budapest and Redcarpet Captain. Gareth confirmed his charge would be perfectly distance suited. He added his preparation had gone perfectly. The Captain Al colt wore first time blinkers last time out in a MR 86 Handicap over 1400m on the Greyville turf and ran on powerfullly to win by  3,25 lengths, despite carrying 61kg. He was fifth on the last Million Dollar log off a merit rating of 104. Redcarpet Captain’s travel plans are the same as Budapest’s before his Lanzerac win.

Laird has been given permission to gallop Exit Here on the Kenilworth racecourse next Tuesday. Redcarpet Captain will also be shown the racecourse before the big day.

By David Thiselton