David Thiselton

Just about every winner on World Pool Gold Cup day was a logical choice and proved that form is king and theories like “fresh horses are at an advantage in the Champions Cup” should not be given much attention.

The first two home in the Gr 1 weight for age HKJC Champions Cup, Gladatorian and The Real Prince, both ran in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and beat home five other horses, all of whom would have fitted into the “fresh” category.

Gladatorian gave Stuart Ferrie a deserved first Gr 1 victory after a perfectly timed charge by Sean Veale and he was the logical form choice in retrospect.

He had already proved he stays 1800m with an impressive win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1750m.

Gladatorian only has one way of running and that is to be left alone from off the pace and produce a late charge and having drawn two in a seven horse field, as opposed to eight in a twelve horse field in the Gold Challenge, he was always likely to have less ground to make up and was also likely to get a clearer run.

Dave The King had looked ominously like the winner approaching the final turn, because unlike the Gold Challenge when boxed in he had led at a slow pace early and this had allowed him to begin his well know long run in from the 800m mark.

However, one disadvantage he had is that opposition know him well now and know that he is not going to come back to the field.

The Real Prince might have been an impressive winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July and he was equally eye-catching in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, but he was unexposed over this trip.

Craig Zackey kept Dave The King’s in his sights when the latter began stretching them a long way out, but the Real Prince’s acid test was going to be whether he could make an impression on Dave The King in the straight.

Meanwhile, See It Again was enjoying much more luck than he had in the race last year as he had perfect cover from Montien, who was lying one out and one back and Gladatorian was perfectly placed behind The Real Prince on the rail.

To the surprise of a few The Real Prince was soon all over Dave The King and See It Again was proving last year’s run was all wrong, because he was also all over the big horse.

Keagan de Melo used his experience of the tight racing in Hong Kong to keep The Real Prince in.

However, Dave The King had left just enough room for The Real Prince to sneak through between him and the rail.

It then became clear that The Real Prince, despite hanging outward, had the measure of See It Again.

However, Gladatorian, as usual got into top gear at the 200m mark and was making inroads.

A deft change of whip-hand by Sean Veale as close to home as the 50m mark might well have been the difference between victory and defeat as Gladatorian found an extra gear surged past the three-year-old The Real Prince to win by 0,40 lengths with See It Again a further 1,20 lengths back.

Fire Attack was another closer who relished the fast pace in the latter half of the race and he ran on strongly to be beaten just 2,35 lengths.

Dave The King was beaten 2,95 lengths into fifth.

Gladatorian boosted the champion sire Vercingetorix’s earnings to over R36 million, which is likely a new record.

In the World Pool Gold Cup King Pelles proved in the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase last time he is not only an out and out stayer but he also has class as he turned it on superbly off the back of a slow pace to give Gareth van Zyl and S’Manga Khumalo a second Gold Cup together. He proved worthy of his 5/4 starting price on Saturday and always looked the winner of the 3200m event.

Varsfontein-based sire Master Of My Fate was sire of both Gr 1 juvenile mile winners, the Alan Greeff-trained Golden Palm and the Mike de Kock-trained Jan van Goyen ridden by Richard Fourie and Callan Murray respectively, and both impressed as horses with big futures and confirmed what their respective stables thought of them.

In the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint the Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody gave Buffalo Bill Cody a first Gr 1 win and he defied the weights, especially according to Gr 2 Post Merchants form, but Gavin Lerena had said before the latter race he was a much better horse around the turn and he had the advantage on Saturday of a previous sighting of the course.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Princess Of Gaul gave a further boost to Vercingetorix when winning the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m in a thrilling finish under Craig Zackey.

The finish to the Gr 2 Follow @Worldpool on X Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m was just as thrilling and the Paul Matchett-trained Zalatoris ridden by Keagan de Melo gave Varsfontein-based champion freshman sire Erik The Red a boost and he proved his 1,35 length beating in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville was worthy Gr 1 form.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s Rainbow Lorikeet (Querari) was a deserved winner of Gr 2   Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m under Aldo Domeyer as she was luckless in the Gr 2 Woolavington over the same course and distance and she was another runner to have not been affected by running in the July.

Bass-Robinson’s Future (Var) proved his class in the last race over 1000m, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Stakes with a storming finish under Domeyer to catch the favourite Outlaw King.

In the first race of the day, the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Peter Muscutt-trained I Salute You (Soqrat) looked a picture before hand and prevailed under Richard Fourie.

The day was a lesson for punters to look at form logic and to not look for the spooks that muddy the waters.

Graeme Hawkins

The R135 000 RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Middle Stakes over 1200m heads a seven-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and the back-in-form Greg Ennion could hold sway with Surge Of Power, who bounced back to winning ways last month. When Surge Of Power shed his maiden ticket in April last year, in only his second racetrack appearance, the 3yo son of Potala Palace beat the resurgent and highly rated The USA Of A, a clear indication that Ennion’s runner was above average.

But after finishing fourth behind Eight On Eighteen in the Langerman as a juvenile, Surge Of Power had his rating hiked to 103 and for the next eight months he struggled to make an impression. Then last month, off a career low mark of 82, Surge of Power returned to the winner’s enclosure and with his confidence back, and the stable in very good form, there is every chance that Surge of Power can follow up off an adjusted rating of 84, despite a rise in class.

Scottish Kiss and Gimmelightning appear the principal dangers in a small field of seven runners. Gimmelightning’s last two runs have been very encouraging, and he would not be winning out of turn. The Justin Snaith-trained 4yo must concede 6kgs to Surge Of Power but on best form, Gimmelightning could well be equal to the task. Scottish Kiss was a good second behind Boogiefied over 1400m in his most recent outing and Richard Fourie retains the ride. Silver Crown returns from a lengthy spell on the touchlines and sports blinkers for the first time in his career. On best earlier form there is little to choose between Vaughan Marshall’s runner and Gimmelightning, but Silver Crown is expected to need the run.

King’s Quest will be a popular choice in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. The 3yo son of Querari scored a dominant win over the course and distance six weeks ago when beating Afrique very comfortably. The latter reopposes on 2kgs better terms, but King’s Quest appeared to win with something in hand, and he could confirm the form. Gran Canaria ran well below par at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at the end of May and a lot better can be expected here. The ever-consistent Master Of Paris is not without a chance of making the frame while any of Show Off, Bel Canto Dream, War Chariot or My Bestie could upset calculations.

The first of seven races, a hotly contested Juvenile Plate over 1200m, looks a match in two between Saudi Cat (Arg) and All The Rage. The former won impressively on debut when very easy to back at 10/1 and the form of that race has been franked. Gavin Lerena teams up with Vaughan Marshall and the progressive Saudi Cat could be a very good horse in the making. All The Rage has shown very useful form and is clearly well above average. He finished a close third over 1500m last time but is equally adept over 1200m and will make a bold bid for top honours. Being a seven-race card, the opening race forms the first leg of both the Bipot and the Place Accumulator.

Marshall and Lerena could also strike with Sierra Sagrada in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1500m. The 2yo son of One World was a touch unlucky to go down behind Dricus two weeks ago and he looks set to go one better here. Red Wave presents as the immediate threat as the 2yo son of Erik The Red steps up to 1500m after finishing a good third behind the useful Three Tigers in May. If Saint Brigid stands her ground in the final race, a D Stakes over 1600m, the 4yo daughter of Master Of My Fate could have the measure of Ozark, Midway and Mela Strength.

RACE 1

7 SAUDI CAT won very impressively on debut, even though the market suggested that he may need the run, he quickened away from his field like a smart horse, he will take lots of beating again. 3 ALL THE RAGE ran a cracker over 1500m last time, he ran third behind Roland Garros in a tight finish, the yard thinks highly of this individual, now that he is back up the straight again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he could certainly trouble them all in the finish. 2 DEMANDING DAVE has been rested for 86 days, he finished like a train in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery on the 4th of May, his form is very good, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will have a good place chance in this field. 5 SPIRIT won a good race on the 12th of June, it was his first run back after gelding, and he finished strongly to win going away at the line, he is clearly still improving, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 2 – 5)

RACE 2

2 SWIFT SERENITY has shown good improvement with every run, she was just off the speed early last time, and then stayed on nicely for third behind Stormwatch, this doesn’t look to be the strongest race on paper, if she can build on her recent performance, she will have a massive winning chance here. 4 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE has been rested for 125 days, she has run two very good races in succession from wide draws at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, if she doesn’t need the run badly on Tuesday, she will have a big winning chance at a decent price. 3 HERITAGE RIDGE ran a fair race on the 12th of June behind Clair De Lune, she has been well tried in the maiden ranks, her form is consistent, she must have a good place chance in this field. 7 PENNY’S CHOICE disappointed terribly on the 17th of June, she was very one paced, the blinkers have now been fitted, hopefully that will help her improve. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 3 – 7)

RACE 3

2 SIERRA SAGRADA was a touch unlucky in his last start behind Dricus, it was his first run back after gelding, he really caught the eye late when running on powerfully from a long way back, he will take lots of beating in this field from a good draw. 3 RED WAVE has been rested for 69 days, he ran a terrific race over 1000m last time behind Three Tigers, he now steps up in trip and he gets a neat draw, watch him closely. 1 GETUPANDGO has been rested for 65 days, he will need to improve quite a bit to win, he is definitely better than what his form is showing, watch for major improvement now that he steps up in trip. 7 GREEN COMMANDER ran a shocker on the 12th of June behind Late December, perhaps the step up in trip will help him improve. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 1 – 7)

RACE 4

5 GIMMELIGHTNING has run two lovely races in succession behind progressive sorts, he enjoys the underfoot conditions being on the softer side, he will be switched off early, and he will come with a strong run late, include him into all bets. 1 SURGE OF POWER bounced back to form last time, he won a super race on the 1st of June, he has always been a talented sprinter, he was given two points for that gutsy victory, if he can back that performance up on Tuesday, he will go very close to winning. 4 SCOTTISH KISS must have a good each way chance here, he ran a nice race on the 1st of June behind Boogiefied over 1400m, if the drop in trip doesn’t worry him, he will be right there in the finish. 3 MAURITIUS KESTREL gets the tongue tie fitted on Tuesday afternoon, he is very consistent and he has dropped in the ratings, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 4 – 3)

RACE 5

9 DU MAURIER won her maiden in stylish fashion on the 24th of June up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she travelled beautifully in her race, and then quickened away from the field to win convincingly, she is a young filly with lots of potential, there is absolutely no doubt that she will go very close to winning again. 11 ROSA OSIRIA ran a lovely race last time behind Over The Atlantic, she fought hard all the way to the line, she never really runs a bad race, if she can bring her last performance to the track again on Tuesday, she will be very competitive. 7 GOLDEN TATJANA ran a shocker behind Pink Pigeon on the 12th of June, she is much better than that, she has dropped even further in the ratings, and she gets the services of leading jockey Gavin Lerena, she could be the value in this tricky looking race. 1 GOLDEN IDEAL has run some fair races in her career, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride on this filly, on her best form, she will have a good winning chance. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 11 – 7 – 1)

RACE 6

3 KING’S QUEST won really well on the 24th of June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he was given four points for that impressive victory, again he gets a good draw, he must have a good winning chance in this field. 2 AFRIQUE ran second to King’s Quest last time, he was doing some good work late, now that he is better off at the weights, he must have an obvious winning chance, include him into all bets. 6 BEL CANTO DREAM ran a good race in testing conditions on the 17th of June, he was just off the speed early, and then stayed on well enough to finish just over four lengths behind the winner, even though he carries a big weight on Tuesday, he should be amongst the places on his best form. 5 SHOW OFF had no luck in running from a wide draw last time, he still managed to run a decent race behind King’s Quest, now that he gets a decent draw, he certainly can be very dangerous in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 6 – 5)

RACE 7

4 STATE CAPITOL moved up like a winner in her last start behind Baton Rouge, her form of late has been excellent, if this race hasn’t come too soon for her, she will take lots of beating. 5 MIDWAY found solid support in the market on the 17th of June, he was given a great ride by jockey Luyolo Mxothwa to win a gutsy race, it was a deserved victory for this gelding, he was given two points for that win, on his current form, he can certainly win again. 2 SAINT BRIGID stayed on well for third behind Music Of The Night on the 21st of June up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she is consistent, and this does look to be a better trip for her, she will be running on strongly. 10 MELA STRENGTH never runs a bad race, unfortunately the wide draw and the big weight won’t make life easy for him, if he gets some luck in running, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 2 – 10)

Jubilant members of the Lucky Vest Syndicate, co-owners of the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup winner King Pelles along with Dave Maclean and Gary Player lead in S’Manga Khumalo. It was Gareth van Zyl’s second win in the race and Khumalo’s  third.

Photo: Race Coast/Candiese Lenferna 

 

King Pelles strikes gold in World Pool Gold Cup

Durban – Gareth van Zyl saddled his second winner of the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup after Paths Of Victory in 2020, as King Pelles justified his favourites tag with a superb victory on Sunday under S’Manga Khumalo, who was winning the race for the third time.

Coming off wins in the Gr3 Tote Derby and the Gr3 Gold Vase, King Pelles was looking for a hat-trick of staying-race wins and will surely be crowned this season’s Equus Champion Stayer.

It was an excellent training feat by Van Zyl who had this race earmarked for his charge long in advance.

Previous winner Future Swing tried to make all under Keagan de Melo, but stayed on gamely for third ahead of the luckless Holding Thumbs who has finished runner-up to King Pelles in their last four meetings – including the Gr3 Chairmans Cup at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

 

Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup

Stuart Ferrie recorded the biggest win of his career as Gladatorian scored a memorably victory in the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup, the final Gr1 of the current season.

Ridden by Sean Veale, Gladatorian put in a tremendous finish to catch Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, The Real Prince, while See It Again, second two years back and third last year, had to once again be content with third.

Dave The King, out to defend his crown after winning last year, took up the running as expected and was going great guns at the top of the home straight.

However, the tank was empty as The Real Prince moved up on his inside after shaking off the attentions of See It Again. The Real Prince looked to have the race in the bag before Gladatorian arrived with a wet sail to snaffle him close to home.

The race was not without incident as Royal Victory stuck up on the way to the start and was eventually scratched by the stipendiary stewards. The gelding refused to move in spite of the urgings of Piere Strydom who was having his final ride in a Gr1 before retiring at the end of the season this week.

The race was also a fitting send-off for co-owner Michel Nairac, who retires at the end of the month after steering Gold Circle through troubled waters and securing KZN racing future in a venture with Hollywood Sports Holdings.

 

Grade 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes

Alan Greeff rounded off an exceptional season training the three best two-year-old fillies in the country. Direct Hit won the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship, Anotherdanceforme won the Gr2 Golden Slipper and Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Golden Palm rounded it all off by winning the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes to enhance her chances of being named Equus Two-year-old Filly of the Year at next month’s awards.

All three fillies were ridden by reigning champion Richard Fourie, who rode a confident race on Golden Palm. Sitting midfield in the early exchanges, he asked his filly for maximum coming off the false rail and she responded smartly, reeling in the opposition to win rather comfortably, with Tina Lovelace edging stable companion One Fine Winter for second.

 

Grade 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes

Henk Leyenaar was part of the syndicate involved in the ownership of star Mike de Kock-trained mare Ipi Tombe and the two were back in the winner’s enclosure 23 years later as Jan Van Goyen turned in a super impressive performance in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes.

Leyenaar was on course to lead in the colt and jockey Callan Murray along with Mike and Mathew de Kock. Count Of Rouen went to the front at a modest gallop tracked by Tin Pan Alley and Jan Van Goyen. Count Of Rouen tried gamely to hold onto his lead pressed by Tin Pan Alley, but neither were able to hold off the challenge from Jan Van Goyen who motored past to win as he liked.

 

Gr1 Mercury Sprint

Champion jockey Gavin Lerena took no prisoners in winning his first Grade 1 race in KZN as he took Buffalo Storm Cody forward early and was not for the catching in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

Kenneth Pillay is a staunch supporter of the Tony Peter yard and was rewarded as Buffalo Storm Cody scored his fourth win from his last five starts after being gelded.

He finished fourth in the recent Gr3 Post Merchants but Lerena revealed that his mount had ducked from the lights and he was confident of a better performance on Sunday.

Favourite Tenango had it all to do from his wide draw but Aldo Domeyer did a fine job of getting him across and although finishing strongly he was left with too much to do with the mare Asiye Phambili winning a tight battle with Cats Pajamas for third.

KING PELLES, with S’Manga Khumalo up, wins the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup for trainer Gareth van Zyl at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Picture: Race Coast/Candiese Lenferna

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Gold Cup saw King Pelles proving himself a champion stayer as he defied topweight and gave Gareth van Zyl and S’Manga Khumalo a second Gold Cup together and Khumalo a third Gold Cup.

The running looked similar to last year in that Future Swing, who led, and Shoot The Rapids were both prominent again in a decent gallop that was going to test horses’ stamina capacities. King Pelles had them in his sights as he was just behind Madison Valley who led the main pack. In the straight Future Swing made a gallant attempt to hold on with Shoot The Rapids not quite matching him, but it was apparent that King Pelles was full of running and with Khumalo keeping him to the outside he went on to win by 1,20 lengths from a running on Holding Thumbs with Future Swing third and Shoot The Rapids next best ahead of Madison Valley and Field Marshall. King Pelles has now won three Gr 3 staying races this season and Holding Thumbs has finished second to him on every one of those occasions. It was a great day for the owners of the Drakenstein Stud-bred Duke Of Marmalade gelding, Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom: Mr Ravi Padayachee), Messrs D D MacLean, G J Player & N V Parmanand. Ravi Padayachee and friends made sure the course was awash with the pink and blue colours of King Pelles.

In the race of the day, the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m, there was a deserved win for the five-year-old Erasmus Thoroughbreds CC-bred Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian. He gave Summerveld trainer Stuart Ferrie a first Gr 1 win and it was a fitting win as Gladatorian is part-owned by Race Coast’s outgoing CEO Michel Nairac, who had a race named after him on the day. Dave The King looked as if he was going to be hard to beat as  he led and began stretching them from the 800m mark. However, The Real Prince kept him within range, while Gladatorian got a tow from the latter while See It Again, just ahead of Gladatorian, on his outside got a tow from Montien who was one out and one back. Dave The King was soon under pressure in the straight as The Real Prince and See It Again were all over him. The Real Prince snuck down the rail and had the better of See It Again who went around Dave The King. However, Gladatorian then produced his usual late charge under Sean Veale and caught The Real Prince in the shadow of the post to win by 0,40 lengths, with See It Again third. Fire Attack ran on from last to be next best, 2,35 lengths back, with Dave The King only fifth.

The Gr 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m saw the Narrow Creek Stud-bred Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody, who is owned by Kenneth Pillay’s Kestorm Investments overcoming a tricky draw of nine to get into a handy position and he stayed on well to win by 1,60 lengths from the favourite Tenango, who overcame a wide draw to be beautifully placed and ran on well to just beat a wall of horses, with Asiye Phambile third, Cats Pajama fourth and Cafe Culture fifth ahead of Gr 1 winner William Robertson. Gavin Lerena, who was crowned champion jockey, had said in the build-up this horse loved the turn and so it proved, although he could only manage fourth last time over course and distance in the Gr 2 Post Merchants when better weighted.

The crack Varsfontein Master Of My Fate filly Golden Palm ensured Alan Greef made history by scoring the unofficial two-year-old fillies triple crown and what made the feat even more incredible is that he is from what is regarded as South Africa’s lesser centre of Gqerberha and he did it with three different fillies. His Ridgemont-bred Canford Cliffs filly Direct Hit won the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, his Master Of My Fate filly Anotherdanceforme won the Gr 2 Splashout Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and yesterday Golden Palm cruised to a 2,80 length victory in the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes over 1600m. Richard Fourie had Golden Palm, who has a lot of substance and is beautifully balanced, in a handy position and rode her with a ton of confidence. He left some space between himself and the horse in front of him to give her time to turn it on and she did in emphatic style, surging past the field on the inside in effortless fashion to win easily from the Sean Tarry pair Tina Lovelace and One Fine Winter, with A Bit Of Class and Back From War nest best. Golden Palm has probably secured the Equus Champion Two-year-old filly award, because she  won Johannesburg’s leading two-year-old race, the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery.

It was a fine day for Mike de Kock as he was inducted into the South African Hall Of Fame and his charge Jan van Goyen then won the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes under Callan Murray, coming from the box seat to run away from the Sean Tarry-trained favourite Tin Pan Alley. Jan van Goyen sat in the box seat while Tin Pan Alley was caught one wide outside of him. Master Of My Fate colt Jan van Goyen, who was bred by Mr & Mrs R J Trotter, Messrs R E Alexander & B B Campbell, turned it on superbly in the straight to win by 3,70 lengths. Tin Pan Alley did well to finish second from Chronicle King, King Harald and Count Of Rouen.

The Gr 2 World Pool with Race Coast Debutante over 1200m saw a thrilling finish with the exciting Dean Kannemeyer-trained prospect Princess Of Gaul giving another Graded win to champion Sire Vercingetorix. She was ridden by Craig Zackey.

The Gr 2 Follow @World Pool on X stakes over 1200m saw an equally thrilling finish with the Paul Matchett-trained Erik The Red gelding Zalatoris just prevailing under Keagan de Melo, who is enjoying an end of season break from Hong Kong racing.