SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 1

Thursday 11 january 2018

Saturday 06 JanuaryKenilworth– race 9Sporting Post

Best HandicappedPhelan LuckyWON 11/1

fairview poly FridayBest Roving Banker:r2-(1)wish To Land(5/2)

keniLworTh SaturdayBest Roving Banker:r3-(4)Sark(1/1) TurffonTein SaturdayBest Roving Banker:r1-(1)Carmalita(5/2) SCoTTSviLLe SundayBest Roving Banker:r7-(4)Sunset eyes(4/1)

It’s not fake news. Piere Strydom will ride Sun Met second favourite Last Winter as Anthony Delpech’s contractual obligations

force him to jump ship to Mike de Kock’s late supplementary entry, Cascapedia.These are the great days of speculation – plenty

of fake news - and uncertainty over who will and who won’t in respect of the R5 million Gr1 Sun Met class of 2018. And it will reach fever pitch in ad-vance of the final field announcement on Monday.

The value in the ante-post market for the Cape flagship will only be available to the astute and lucky for three more days as we head towards the final declaration gate at 11h00 on Monday morning.

This week L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate winner Legal Eagle drifted to as much as 6-1 on word that ‘they’ said he was flat after Saturday’s exertions and giving the Met a miss.

In horseracing circles ‘they’ have a helluva lot to say – especially in times of uncertainty when everybody is looking for something to hold on to and have a dip at a nice price.

Legal Eagle's new owner Braam van Huyssteen left it in the champion trainer’s hands earlier this week:

“On Saturday, we just enjoyed the moment. We haven’t discussed any plans yet. Saturday was a real highlight and as far as I’m concerned, Legal Eagle can come and retire on my farm tomorrow, but we’ll leave it to Sean. If Sean feels we should take a chance in the Met, we’ll do that.”

Veteran trainer Sean Tarry has been round this

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 2

a Diadem Double?Gr2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes Kenilworth

Run at weight-for-age plus penalties of 2kgs for a Gr1 and 1kg for a Gr2 success, the 1200m Diadem Stakes has a fine history of producing thrill-ing finishes over the past 43 years. A few of those running here will have the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship on Met day as their major target.

The 6yo Trip To Heaven hasn’t been in the winner’s box since his facile win in the same race last year, beating Tevez and Search Party. Both of those are back again but Trip To Heaven must rank as the one to beat again. He ran on well after being baulked behind Kangaroo jack in his prep last month and will strip fit at his second outing after a break.

Local hero Sergeant Hardy has his own issues but stayed on beautifully to win the Southeaster Sprint at his last start. A master of the Kenilworth straight track, his undoing may well lie in Richard Fourie’s tactical acumen – and he knows this top-class sprinter well.

Post Merchants winner Search Party ran a cracker in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint behind KZN champ Bull Valley and will be fitter after running unplaced behind Silicone Valley in the Merchants last time.

Past Gr1 winner Always In Charge gets the blinkers after his good effort when running on powerfully for third in the Cape Merchants last time. He is very effective over the course and distance and Anton Marcus will get the best out of him.

Brutal Force is top-class on his day and showed a flicker of life last time when stopping late but hanging on for third in the Southeaster Sprint.

The 2017 runner-up Tevez, now an 8yo, ran on well for fourth in the Merchants and is a high-class sprinter with aches and pains – but plenty of ability.

The 4yo Attenborough has not been far off at his last few starts and moved up dangerously in the Merchants before finishing just out of the money. His form suggests he be included as a value galloper.

Top 2yo of last term Dutch Philip sprouted wings in the Merchants when he burst out of the pack to be beaten just 0,75 lengths. He has a tough task and will have to hold

Always In Charge.

Mike de Kock’s lightly raced Mujaafy ran an eye-catching race at his second Cape start when staying on well for a 1,15 length fourth behind Speedpoint in

s a t u r d a y r a C I N Gw h o a r e ' t h e y '

Dutch Philip | Wayne Marks

START PA5/PICK SIX4/JACKPOT34:10PM Gr2 DIADeM STAKeS - 1200MKenIlwORTh 7 SAMe TRAIneR:(1-13-16)(3-9)(4-10-12) (5-8-11)(6-14) Trippi 1 Trip To Heaven(SG Tarry) R Fourie ............12 60.0 Captain Al 2 SearcH parTy(BJ Crawford) C Orffer ............ 8 60.0 Captain Al 3 SerGeanT HarDy(J Snaith) B Fayd’herbe..... 1 59.0 Captain Al 4 alwayS in cHarGe(VH Marshall) A Marcus 16 59.0 Western Winter 5 BruTal Force(J Ramsden) M Seidl ............14 59.0 Caesour 6 Tevez(C Bass-Robinson) R Khathi .................... 4 59.0 Overlord 7 TalkToTHeSTarS(FC de Beer) G Behr .......... 5 59.0 Western Winter 8 aTTenBorouGH(J Ramsden) D Dillon .........15 59.0 Western Winter 9 BiSHop’S BounTy(J Snaith) G v niekerk ....11 59.0 Star Witness 10 lorD Balmoral(VH Marshall) M Byleveld..13 59.0 Street Cry 11 macDuFF(J Ramsden) M winnaar ................10 59.0 Seventh Rock 12 rock oF aFrica(VH Marshall) A Andrews .... 3 59.0 Querari 13 wonDerwall(SG Tarry) G Cheyne ................. 6 56.5 What A Winter 14 DuTcH pHilip(C Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer 7 55.5 Star Witness 15 mujaaFy(MF de Kock) A Delpech .................... 2 55.5 Dynasty 16 Barrack STreeT(SG Tarry) S Veale ............. 9 55.5

2014 1 Captain Of All 60.0 ( 4) 15/2 2 Copper Parade 60.0 (10) 10/1 3 Fly By Night 57.5 ( 9) 2/1

2015 1 Lanner Falcon 56.5 ( 2) 11/2 2 Fly By Night 58.5 ( 6) 15/1 3 Gulf Storm 59.0 ( 3) 4/1

2017 1 Trip To Heaven 59.0 ( 3) 3/1 2 Tevez 58.0 (10) 8/1 3 Search Party 59.0 ( 7) 6/1

Gr2 Diadem Stakes past winners

The WeiGhTSThe R5 million Gr1 Sun Met will be run for the first time at

pure weight-for-age on 27 January. This effectively levels the playing field and gives L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate star Legal Eagle his best chance ever to drop his Met bridesmaid tag and show the world that his current 4-1 is plain good value.

Two smashing fillies, who individually produced breath-taking performances over the past weekend, were the only supplementary entries received at the last chance saloon cut-off at 11h00 on Monday. There are now seven fairer sex gallopers in the final entries list.

justin Snaith’s Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Oh Susanna and the Mike de Kock-trained Gr3 London News Stakes winner Cascapedia join the 28 hopefuls for a final spot amongst the 20 berths up for grabs in the Cape flagship.

Final declarations are due at 11h00 on Monday 15 january.View the weights here

block a few times – ‘same story, different year’ he chirps after hearing what ‘they’ had to say. He has confirmed that his cham-pion is fine and on track.

When taxed on Tabnews about Legal Eagle’s ‘limitations’ at 2000m, Tarry said: “I’ve got my opinion, other people have theirs and we’re never going to find common ground. But I’d like to have a few more horses who are questionable over the distance with a record like his!”

The fact that Anton Marcus is staying loyal to Legal Eagle is a further plus and let’s face it – if we run the race ten times, the Eagle wins it five times. Surely? That makes his current price very attractive.

Is Premier Trophy runner-up Last Winter overpriced? The news that Delpech will take up the ride on the Gr3 London News Stakes winner Cascapedia is no surprise at all given his contractual commitments to the owners. It would probably not be fair to ask Delpech what route he would have taken if prefer-ence overrode contract.

For Piere Strydom, the late call-up to ride the progressive 4yo Last Winter presents a golden opportunity to notch a second Met winner. He was aboard Angus for Sabine Plattner and Brett Crawford in 2003 and has gone close a few times.

He is the best value for money rider at his age in the country and one of our greats of all time, with milestones of 5000 career winners well behind him. Strydom won his sixth SA Champi-onship as recently as the 2012/2013 season, his first since the 2000/2001 season.

He has had a few frustrating Met days. Like in 2015 when he landed up riding three feature second places, as well as a disappointing sixth on Sansui Summer Cup champion, Louis The King in the Met. The pace was the curved ball there. It happens in the fairest Cape!

Dean Kannemeyer, who is yet to win the Met for his own account since taking the reins from his Dad Peter in 1999, said that he accepted Delpech’s move.

“Look contracts have to be honoured. Anthony has gotten to know Last Winter and in a race like the Met we need things to go our way. But Piere Strydom is a man who knows his way around Kenilworth and I couldn’t have hoped for a better sub at this late stage,” he said.

Time to have a bet still – check the betting here

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 3

ebb and flowListed Sophomore Sprint KenilworthThe boom 2yo Sand And Sea gets a golden opportunity to redeem

his dented ego after a disappointing effort at odds-on last time.Sand And Sea carries joint topweight with

the accomplished and more experienced Al Mariachi and the son of Twice Over is much better than his last run when beaten 4,75 lengths by Power Grid. He was backed into the red and fitness – which was a concern after six months off – did not appear to worry anybody. He made a respiratory noise

in running and ran accordingly. We’d bank on Dennis Drier having him back to best to make amends.

Bold Respect had very smart sprint form before blotting his copybook in the Cape Guineas where he appeared not to stay the mile. Back over a distance he loves, he is a serious contender and gets 4kgs from the topweights.

His stablemate Al Mariachi was outgunned in the Cape Merchants but then showed up well when running on smartly for a close-up third behind Speedpoint in the Need For Speed Sprint.

It is something of a surprise to see Sir Frenchie back over the 1200m as the son of Choisir looked to be improving when tried round the turn. His Guineas run though was not impressive and he has shown creden-tials over the sprints.

Mike de Kock’s exciting Sir David Baird went helterskelter in the Cape Guineas and fell in a hole. He has won over 1200m and may be worth including in this line-up.

Big Mistake beat impressive Saturday winner Phelan Lucky over the course and distance last time and must be in with a chance.

The same applies to the smart Elusive Heart who won well in her follow-up after being outpointed behind Snowdance in the Cape Fillies Guineas. This course-and-distance winner is an interesting lurker from an inside draw in the hands of Richard Fourie.

Bold Respect, Sand And Sea and Al Mariachi are the trio most likely to thrash this out. One would believe that a fitter and healthier Sand And Sea must go close to winning.

s a t u r d a y r a C I N G

Sand And Sea | Gold Circle

the Need For Speed Sprint. The son of Star Witness goes the extra 200m here and could challenge – although lacking the experience as he has only his fifth start.

joey Ramsden’s smart 5yo Macduff has had three prep runs this term and has improved with each outing. The experiment to turn him into a ‘stayer’ last summer didn’t really work and his sprint form is above average.

So a tricky contest, but Trip To Heaven is the class- if he gets away half on terms, he should win this. Always In Charge is a good sort and he improved nicely last time. He gets the blinkers and Anton Marcus is an added plus.

Speed & ClassThis feature was originally called the WFA Diadem

Plate and then changed to the Southern Cross Plate and ultimately the Southern Cross Stakes. It appears that in 1974 the two races split properly and there was both a Southern Cross Plate - won by the outstanding Mrs Noah - and a Diadem.

The Diadem Stakes has gone on to be become a highlight of the Cape summer season since it was won by Royal Affair’s son Lancaster in 1974.

Racing for a stake of R5 125 the gallant little speed-ball was cleverly ridden by present day trainer Paddy Kruyer, to beat Sword Dancer and Mangosteen, with the late Allan Higgins’ Harlech in fourth. The Drum Beat gelding Bolero streaked away into a long lead and must have been eight lengths clear at one time. This very fast horse did not really get the Kenilworth 1200m though and Lancaster came forward under Kruyer at the 300m and stayed on strongly to win a cracker. Lancaster was owned by Mr F. Maeder and trained by Alec Soteriadis. The win completed a hat trick in features races in the Cape for the breeders Knavesmire Stud.

Fast forward to the 21st century and a standout is the Charles Laird trained Nhlavini. The brilliant sprinter won it in 2001 and 2002, was second in 2004 and won it again in 2005. Fast emerging sire and past Equus champion sprinter What A Winter won the race in 2011 and 2012. Top names like Captain Al, Flobayou, Cordo-celli, Flaming Rock, Wainui and Over The Air grace the Diadem roll of honour over the years.

The now defunct Western Province Owners and Trainers Association were longstanding sponsors of the race but they fell by the wayside in 2012. Today top international owners Khaya Stables carry the flag.

START PA4/PICK SIX3/JACKPOT23:35PM SOPhOMORe SPRInT (3yO’S)(l) - 1200MKenIlwORTh 6 SAMe TRAIneR:(2-5-8)(7-10) Twice Over 1 SanD anD Sea(DR Drier) A Marcus ................ 3 60.0 Great Britain 2 al mariacHi(BJ Crawford) G Cheyne ............ 9 60.0 Jay Peg 3 woljayrine(VH Marshall) M Byleveld ........... 8 58.0 Dynasty 4 Sir DaviD BairD(MF de Kock) A Delpech ..... 2 57.0 Bold Silvano 5 BolD reSpecT(BJ Crawford) C Orffer ............ 4 56.0 Choisir 6 Sir FrencHie(J Snaith) G v niekerk .............. 6 56.0 Querari 7 BiG miSTake(C Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer .10 56.0 Captain Al 8 Dollar TracTor(BJ Crawford) S Veale ....... 5 56.0 Elusive Fort 9 eluSive HearT(GS Kotzen) R Fourie ............. 1 55.5 Var 10 virTue(C Bass-Robinson) R Khathi .................. 7 54.0 Noordhoek Flyer 11 meToriTe(ELP Steyn) S Cele .........................11 54.0

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Don’t BlinkListed Swallow Stakes TurffonteinThe Wicklow Stud-bred flyer Winter’s Forge takes on a capac-

ity field in the Swallow Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday where she bids to register a first stakes success.

A daughter of Western Winter, the R700 000 National Yearling Sale grad-uate has shown nothing but dazzling speed at her first two starts and her length second to Green Plains in the SA Fillies Nursery at her last start is encouraging. That said, she returns from a 36 week break and Green Plains, who beat her a length last

time, has not really gone on with things.The promising Visionaire filly Takingthepeace is the first of the

Mike de Kock trio and has her first run in ten weeks since a crack-ing third behind Big Bear in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup. A course and distance winner, she looks a big runner here.

Mike Azzie’s well-tried Spring Breeze failed to stay the 1400m of the Starling Stakes but her sprint form prior to that was decent. She needs to show a little more commitment at the business end to challenge here,

London Secret comes in off a 28 week break since her unplaced effort in the Golden Slipper. This is her first run as a 3yo and she showed herself to be a nifty 2yo – with little between her and Takingthepeace.

Impressive debut winner San Fermin failed to lift her game in the Fillies Mile when finishing 10 lengths off Folk Dance at her second start. She can atone for that here but it is a worry that she made her debut over 1400m – and may lack the requisite pace.

Piere Strydom partners three-time winner Winter Watch. The daughter of Ashaawes has a big task but has a proven touch of class.

Green Top ran a better race last time after a quiet patch when staying on behind Red Ridge in a weak fillies handicap.

Candice Dawson’s Varsity Girl won a nice race beating Frederico’s Dream over the course and distance last time out. She is a kilo worse off for a 0,70 length win and will need to up her game again.

The Crusade filly Covered In Snow followed up on her maiden win at her second start when she beat Onamission going away over the course and distance last time out. This is only her fourth start but she could be equal to the task.

START PA4/PICK SIX3/JACKPOT26:00PM SwAllOw STAKeS (3yOF)(l) - 1160M TuRFFOnTeIn 6 SAMe TRAIneR:(2-18)(4-8-16)(5-19) (7-10-11)(13-15) Ashaawes 1 winTer waTcH(RR Magner) P Strydom ......16 60.0 Sail From Seattle 2 SinGinG in SeaTTle(DA Sham) R Danielson .18 60.0 Gimmethegreenlight 3 la Bella mia(WH Marwing) M v Rensburg ... 9 58.0 Visionaire 4 TakinGTHepeace(MF de Kock) JP vd Merwe .13 58.0 Var 5 varSiTy Girl(C Dawson) K De Melo .............. 3 58.0 Crusade 6 covereD in Snow(DN Stenger) M yeni ....... 7 58.0 Gimmethegreenlight 7 FreDerico’S Dream(MG & AA Azzie)wei Marwing 15 58.0 Crusade 8 onamiSSion(MF de Kock) R Munger .............. 1 58.0 Western Winter 9 winTer’S ForGe(S Ferreira) C Zackey .......... 6 56.0 Querari 10 SprinG Breeze(MG & AA Azzie) K Zechner .11 56.0 Charge Forward 11 San Fermin(MG & AA Azzie) l hewitson ........ 2 56.0 Gimmethegreenlight 12 lonDon SecreT(SG Tarry) D Schwarz.........12 56.0 Gimmethegreenlight 13 Green Top(AG Laird) F herholdt ..................... 4 56.0 Byword 14 no more worDS(RR Sage) G wrogemann .. 5 56.0 Judpot 15 Tamarina(AG Laird) R Simons ......................14 56.0 More Than Ready 16 jazaalaH(MF de Kock) C Murray ..................19 56.0 Var 17 DiSTanT call(GV Woodruff) - reserve 1 ......17 58.0 Bold Silvano 18 lawDy miSS clawDy(DA Sham) - reserve 2 .. 8 58.0 Sail From Seattle 19 illeGal(C Dawson) - reserve 3 ......................10 56.0

Frederico’s Dream gets the blinkers fitted and ran a good race over the course and distance last time when beaten narrowly by Varsity Star.

Ex PE filly Singing In Seattle has done well in her two Gauteng starts – winning a low rated handicap and then not disgraced when stepping up in class. She comes in on joint topweight and this could be much tougher.

Varsfontein’s beautifully bred debut winner Tamarina is difficult to guage but won going away on an unfancied debut and could be anything.

No More Words has good consistent form from her five starts and is another dangerous ‘quickie’ who could have a say in the finish.

Mike de Kock’s Australian-bred jazaalah is yet to run a poor race and ran on for second behind Levi Lady a fortnight ago. She strips fit and improvement could see her playing a role.

San Fermin | JC Photos

MiSSED RECEnT RESuLTS? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website

Lerena Fights FeverFormer SA Champion jockey Gavin Lerena is on the road to

recovery after having finally been diagnosed with Glandular Fever a week ago.

In a telephone interview with the Sporting Post, his Dad Tex, a former top jockey, said that the family was pleased that blood tests had finally revealed the cause of Gavin being ‘off colour’.

“It started as far back as mid-November. Gavin found himself getting extremely tired after exercise and he was unable to complete his card of rides at some meetings. In the normal course of life he felt mostly fine, but as soon as he rode work or participated in races, he found himself drained. Tests in December revealed his white cell blood count to be 18. Thank-fully, subsequent tests have shown an improvement and the diagnosis came through on 4 january as Glandular Fever.”

Tex added that Gavin has been booked off for ten days whereaf-ter he will go for further tests to determine his progress.

“There is no treatment for the infection beyond rest and liquids and just allowing sufficient time for recovery. Gavin did not enjoy letting owners and trainers down by accepting rides and then being stood down. So he is as relieved as the rest of us that doctors have gotten to the bottom of it and we expect him to bounce back strongly in a few weeks.”

Glandular Fever arises as a result of a viral infection and symptoms include swollen glands, tiredness and exhaustion, high temperatures and a general fatigue.

It is said that sufferers get to a point of being sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

A past SA Champion jockey, and one of the country’s foremost jockeys, Lerena was a member of the victorious Rest Of The World Team at the 2016 Shergar Cup. He also won the 2015 LONGINES International jockeys’ Championship in Hong Kong.

Despite his illness and being stood down from rides, Gavin has maintained his position on the national jockey’s log and currently holds seventh spot with 54 wins and a healthy 20% win strike-rate.

He recently produced a memorable front-running ride on longshot Milton to win the Gr2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth – at a time when his infection, in hindsight, was at its very worst.

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L o u w F L y e r

L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 2018L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate weekend is always one of the high-

lights of the year, so 5 and 6 January 2018 had been blocked off in my diary months in advance.

I was really looking forward to seeing what the second Friday Garden Party would be like, particularly as most of the garden is no longer and of course, this year came with the added expecta-tion of history in the making with Legal Eagle tilting for his third silver platter in a row. And that’s just the main race. With plenty of my favourites all across the card, visitors from all across the country and the world, just the prospect of being on course was already enough to get me to Kenilworth early.

Garden Party FridayAs always, smiling car park attendants waved me through onto

the infield parking, the sun was out and as always the course was beautifully dressed. The South Easter from the last two years stayed away, so the day was warm, but there were plenty of picnic umbrellas, marquees and hospitality tents to dive into to escape the sun. It did mean people were divided into pockets, rather than mingling and picnicking as they did last time round, but as the LQP organisers reprise and refresh the layout year on year, it’s always interesting to try something different.

Folks had gone to town for the Best Dressed competition and many sported beautiful hats and fascinators. It was even more interesting to find that most of the prettiest ones were created by Yanti Geroudis and anyone looking for gorgeous, custom made millinery should definitely give her a call.

Star-gazingFriday’s racing was good with Master Of My Fate getting out

of the starting blocks in race 1 with his first runner for the joey Ramsden yard and the first few races dished up a series of tight finishes. Unbelievable Chad finished in the money in race 5 and owner Chad le Clos and his father Bert were on course to support their horse and were wonderfully gracious in chatting to fans and posing for photos.

However, my favourite moment of the day was stepping out of the BSA stand in the middle of one of the early races. I’d stopped to watch the finish on one of the big screens, absent-mindedly blocking the view of an adjacent picnic table of revellers. I was in turns mortified and then enchanted to be shoed out of the way by one of the gen-tlemen at the table as they were actually engrossed in the outcome of the race. How marvellous!

While there were a fair few ‘day trippers’, it was lovely to bump into some favourites from the breeding and ownership ranks and we spent a lively afternoon squabbling over the betting, catching up on news and generally setting the world to rights.

Candice Robinson claimed the first feature scalps of the festival with Leaves Of Grass in the Listed Ardmore jamaica Handicap and Magical Wonderland underlined her credentials as something really special in the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes. Candice Robinson and Anthony Andrews book-ended the card with Ballad Of The Sea in the last and just like that the first day had flown by.

The main eventDay two kicked off promptly with the Work Riders’ Maiden

Plate at 13:05. Candice Robinson is showing a definite nick with the What A Winter progeny and claimed the fillies juvenile plate with Clouds Unfold. Brett Crawford and Corne Orffer got the better of Mister Colin in the third and then it was straight into the serious stuff with Brett Crawford and Greg Cheyne lifting the Gr3 Heineken Chairman’s Cup with Our Emperor in a tight finish. The Peninsula Handicap boasted a really stiff line-up and Anthony An-drews produced a polished performance to bring home the very smart Eyes Wide Open for the Woodhill Racing team.

The Paddock Stakes lined up some of the most exciting female talent in our ranks and as always, it’s horrible that only one can come home the winner, but Grant van Niekerk made it look easy on Oh Susanna for Snaith Racing and Drakenstein Stud and the filly has subsequenly been supplemented for the Met.

Writing historyIf the Paddock Stakes was tough, it was even worse choosing

who to shout for in the main race, but the easy, fluid way Legal Ea-gle cantered down signalled that the Champ was in top form. Nev-ertheless, Corne Orffer had us all on the edge of our seats with his front-running tactics on Captain America, and then suddenly there seemed to be horses coming from every direction. Copper Force bobbed and weaved around horses, Sail South and Marinaresco sprouted wings and while Legal Eagle was certainly pressed to the line, Anton Marcus had timed it to devastating perfection. After

all the ups, downs and uncertainties of the last few weeks, it was the most fitting result. We are so lucky to have this fantastic horse on our tracks and it was a privilege to be on course to see him make history. Huge congratulations to Braam van

Huyssteen, Billy Henderson and Hedley McGrath – may the winning high last a

good long time. Also huge plaudits to the team at home who produce this horse at his fabulous best year on year.

I just want to make a special mention of Lyle Hewitson who kept a calm head under pressure to produce that spectacu-lar 2nd on Copper Force. Having hitched myself to his star since we met on the set of Legends Of The Turf, I am hugely impressed by how fast he is developing into a top notch rider. Another special mention must go to the Azzie yard - Hat Puntano looked absolute-

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F I t F o r a k I N G

ly magnificent. The last minute change in travel plans would have tak-en its toll and I’m sure we will see him back to best in the near future.

Grant van Niekerk and justin Snaith were a power pairing on the day, bringing home the Twice Over colt, Doublemint in the Gr3 BMW Politician Stakes. The equally reliable Brett Crawford and Corne Orffer got Phelan Lucky home by a comfortable 1.25 lengths in the penulti-mate race of the day and Team Van Niekerk and Snaith signed off the afternoon’s racing with Platinum Class in the last and racing finished at a very civilised 18:35.

It’s not often one wants to hang around after races, but the Queen’s Plate is just one of those days. We toasted a successful day from the Garett Bar as the sun set over Table Mountain, did a quick round of hellos and goodbyes upstairs and there was just time for a few rounds of chopsticks duets with Heather Morkel on the foyer piano before we bid the Queen’s Plate goodbye for another year.

Special touchesAs always there were wonderful touches all over the course and it’s

always fun to see what is new and what interesting features have been added, but in that ‘Christmas spirit’ vibe, the best part of the meeting is that it feels inclusive and the team go out of their way to ensure we have presenters, race callers and personalities from across the racing spectrum. The racing community responds in kind, meaning there are favourites and familiar faces – horses and humans – from all four cor-ners of the country, making it feel something of a family event.

One of the testaments to this is that the sponsors have refused to be pulled into the high stakes hysteria seen at some of our other flagship events and it is an absolute credit that in the true spirit of the sport, this wonderful race attracts our best for the honour of winning the race, rather than chasing a big cheque and in that it stands as a testament to the heritage and the sport itself.

Spirit of Sportsmanship This year more than any other, there seemed to be a particularly

happy and expectant mood. Perhaps it was because everyone’s hors-es were in a good space, perhaps it was the weather – who knows, but everyone gathered in the spirit of the day, did their flat-out best and still managed to have fun doing it.

One particularly lovely gesture was the competition run in the L’Ormarins room with services to some of the Drakenstein stallions as prizes, including a service to Duke Of Marmalade for the most successful breeder on the day and a darts competition for a Futura service as a bit of fun. Connemara Stud’s Paul Garlicki correctly pre-dicted the winner of the main race and was selected by lucky dip as the recipient of a service to What A Winter.

Paul was rightly thrilled, particularly with What A Winter’s great results over the two days. “We are very grateful to L’Ormarins and Drakenstein Stud Farm. We were having a wonderful day anyway, but winning the service was just the cherry on the top. They really go all out to make it an enjoyable day for everyone.”

I think that more or less sums it up for me. From the biggest gestures – such as ensuring that Legal Eagle’s name was added to the honour roll straight after the race - to the smallest, like the lovely handsoaps in the bathrooms, it all adds up to making one feel like a treasured guest, which is the thing the L’Ormarins team do so very well.

With the CPYS and Met looming large on the horizon, the roll-er-coaster will be gathering speed from here on in, so before we all get run away with, my sincerest thanks to Gaynor Rupert, Katherine Gray and the army of unseen hands behind the scenes who work so hard to make it all happen. L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day 2018 was, as always, a day to remember.

Big Money at Stake in Dubai

The Brett Crawford-trained Gr1 Sun Met winner Whisky Baron is amongst the thirteen South African horses accepted for the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carni-val, which gets underway at Meydan Racecourse this evening.

The major influence from South Africa on the Carnival will, as often is the case, come from the yard of Mike de Kock. His twelve strong string includes 2017 Gr1 South African Derby winner Al Sahem, Gr1 winning warrior Sanshaawes and Gr1 winning 2017 Gr2 Zabeel Mile runner-up Noah From Goa.

De Kock is an institution in Dubai, having achieved enormous success in the 21st century, while Crawford will be breaking new ground.

The full list features 132 accepted horses with the intention to ship from 15 countries, including 14 Gr1 winners from many points across the globe.

Several international stars are set to travel to Dubai this winter to compete for a share of the US$10,870,000 prize money across 10 race cards, 61 Thoroughbred races and 4 Group Purebred Arabian races held prior to the Dubai World Cup card on March 31, 2018.

The list of SA entries:Trainer Horse Sex YOB Crawford, Brett Whisky Baron (AUS) G 2012de Kock, Mike Al Sahem (SAF) C 2013de Kock, Mike Belle Rose (SAF) F 2013de Kock, Mike Bold Rex (SAF) G 2014de Kock, Mike Dream Dubai (GB) G 2013de Kock, Mike Icy Trail (SAF) G 2012de Kock, Mike janoobi (SAF) C 2013de Kock, Mike Light The Lights (SAF) G 2011de Kock, Mike Liquid Mercury (SAF) G 2011de Kock, Mike Noah From Goa (SAF) G 2012de Kock, Mike Sanshaawes (SAF) G 2009de Kock, Mike Smiling Blue Eyes (SAF) F 2013de Kock, Mike Suyoof (AUS) G 2012

Whisy Baron | Wayne Marks

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 8

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 9

Braam van Huyssteen

Braam van Huyssteen, in partnership with Hedley McGrath and Billy Henderson, are the holders of the 2018 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate trophy. The silver platter is not only the most coveted trophy in South Africa, but also represents Braam’s first Gr1 win.

Journey so farBraam first got involved in horse racing when buying a 50%

share in Young Caesour with Andy Williams back in 2009. The horse was trained by Herman Brown and Frank Robinson and duly produced Braam’s first taste of racecourse success at Clairwood on 28 March 2010. Another early purchase was the grand stayer, Grey Cossack, who delivered Braam’s biggest success in the Gr2 Gold Vase on Vodacom Durban july day 2011. As you should never let your horse go to post without some money on its nose, Braam got in at 66/1, betting wins, places and a place double with Young Caesour. And when Grey Cossack delivered in the Gold Vase and Young Caesour obliged with a 3rd place, in Braam’s words, “toe byt die gogga”.

‘Die Gogga’ is now responsible for somewhere approaching 200 horses in training – either outright or in partnerships. There have been ups, downs and the inevitable heartache along the way, but Braam has learnt to be philosophical. “That’s racing – and you happily endure those months of misery for the moments of pure magic. Those moments are what it’s all about.”

Braam is not only generous with his time in talking about his hobby, but hugely entertaining with it and it’s always a treat hav-ing an excuse to call him up. In February 2017, Braam was having one of those rare runs of luck that happen in racing from time to time when he enjoyed a stellar 10 juvenile winners from his first 12 runners, with 6 winning first time out and 4 winning at their second attempt. “We’re only waiting for no 12 and 13 and then my glass is full. Can one be so lucky?” he exclaimed in disbelief. The answer, as it turned out, was yes.

Legal eagleOur conversation back in February resulted in an article titled

‘The Right Side Of Luck’, based on the premise that luck has sides and that it is well worth remembering that when you are having a good run, it usually means someone else is not. Sort of like New-ton’s Third Law of Motion. Which makes it all the more poignant that Braam’s stroke of good fortune in being able to purchase dual Horse Of The Year and Dual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, Legal Eagle came as a result of the other side of the coin for the previous owners.

And while that might have been the subject of much media – and private – speculation and likely tested the nerves and resolve of those around him to their very limits, it was wonderful to be reminded that horses care little for politics, economics and what silks they wear and just get on with the job of being horses. It is

perhaps one of their best characteristics and a re-minder to us to do the same. And in the best spirit of that sentiment, Legal Eagle did exactly what he does best and that’s being the country’s champion miler. On Saturday, 6 january 2018, he wrote history by taking home his third Queen’s Plate. There was joy, relief and a feeling of rightness about the result. To add to the weekend of strange, mixed feelings, Sunday saw fit to bring rain to the parched Western Cape.

Big day debriefCatching up with Braam once he’d had a chance to

absorb it all, he was in good form and still celebrat-ing their win with Billy Henderson and winning jockey

Anton Marcus who had chosen to stay on with them to enjoy the moment.

Asked what had been going through his mind on Saturday, he was characteristically mischievous saying with his family on course and his friend Billy out from Australia, he’d been too busy to think about much until the gates opened at 16:40. Were they confident about the result? “You dream, but you never know. You want a fair race and hope nothing funny happens, like a gate not opening, having a saddle slip or interference in the race. But I’m very relaxed over these things.”

Fortunately, everything went smoothly and while Legal Eagle was certainly tested, it was a true and honourable win. “it’s a good feeling sitting and talking about the race again,” continues Braam. “We’ve been sitting watching the race again and watch-ing where the other horses ran. On the day, I didn’t have a clue – I just watched the one in the yellow jersey,” he jokes. “When Captain America went to the front, I thought he’s stolen the race, but in the end it wasn’t so. Anton worked it out to perfection. It was a very good ride. He let Captain America get tired and make his move at exactly the right time. Any earlier or any later and it could have been a catastrophe. There was a cavalry charge from behind, but he didn’t make a mistake.”

Given that his daughter Bianca originally got him into horse racing, it was fitting that she was by his side to lead in Legal Eagle on Saturday and made the day all the more special. “It was a big moment for all of us,” says Braam. “It’s a dream to own a horse like this. It’s unfortunate that circumstances meant he had to change ownership, but I see it as a privilege that we could step into someone else’s shoes and continue the success. For us, the most important thing is what happened on Saturday and I think we all feel it’s mission accomplished. For the rest? Who really cares?”

Legal Eagle holds an entry for the R5 million Gr1 Sun Met on 27 january. Have there been any thoughts about the future? “On Saturday, we just enjoyed the moment,” smiles Braam. “We hav-en’t discussed any plans yet. Saturday was a real highlight and as far as I’m concerned, Legal Eagle can come and retire on my farm tomorrow, but we’ll leave it to Sean. If Sean feels we should take a chance in the Met, we’ll do that. If he feels the horse should run in joburg, we’ll do that. We’ll just take it race by race. But the moment he runs a bad race, we’ll do the honourable thing. He’s a good horse with a good record and one doesn’t want to ask a horse like that for too much. But it will be Sean’s decision and he’ll tell us when it’s time.”

Braam van Huyssteen

MiSSED RECEnT RESuLTS? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 10

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 11

Time For Real Racing People To Join Hands

System has failed The SportAfter a tumultuous end to 2017, if ever there was a time to

stand up as a true racing fan and fill the stands at Kenilworth it is now, writes Martin Locke.

How we long for days when racing was for the Thoroughbred...all started by the greats of the sport. The giant coal magnate Gra-ham Beck was a true leader probably the greatest.

Breeding from his Kangra conglomerate of Noreen Stud, Maine Chance Farms along with Highlands Farm, Beck set the standard along with the likes of Mick Goss of Summerhill Stud, another extraordinary horseman, the Koster family ... Wilfred...john ....to name a few . Senior statesmen of our breeding and racing ranks whose input can still be felt on our world-class race tracks.

honourIn those days the Administrators of the sport were led by Sandy

Christie, Wally Segal, Basil Thomas, Dave Furness and so on - true professionals. It was my honour to be SABC's advisor and to help develop the sport and make it both accessible and available to the entire population through free to air broadcasts on Top Sport SABC1 every Saturday afternoon. This ensured that the magic of racing was broadcast into homes and townships and accessible to all. This task would not have been possible without the assis-tance of Robin Bruss, betting presenter David Mollett and james Maphiri. The TBA through Graeme Hawkins and the expertise of producer/director Dieter Wohlberg completed a professional and packaged programme that broadened the appeal of the sport beyond just the cable service of DSTV, and ensured widespread interest.

I reflect on this because those were fabulous days which ena-bled us to grow our sport right up to the public interest level of rugby and cricket. In those heady days, it was simply unthinkable that this great sport could sink to today's level in which there is no free to air broadcast and a controlled and narrow media that constricts rather than enhances the sport.

Racing is undoubtedly under pressure as it declines in the pub-lic consciousness – and the larger part of dissemination focusing on betting rather than the sport of horse racing. Is it any wonder that bookmaking betting on other Sports and on lucky numbers are now the growth areas? Those charged with safeguarding the sport seem more focused on the betting than on the Sport itself....

Much SpeculationGiven the Steinhoff debacle which has affected racing's larg-

est owner, Mayfair Speculators, as well as the talk of impending investigation into Phumelela and Mr jooste's role within it, racing is suffering much negative publicity. While it would be wise to sit tight and let the legal boys sort things out for now, there are questions that arise about the nature of the relationship between the betting operator Phumelela and those within the Racing Association whose task it is to protect the Sport. The fact that public interest, especially in the Cape, has been allowed to sink to current levels speaks much of a system that is currently failing the Sport - the participants and those who derive a living from it as well as those fans and punters in the public who feel marginal-ized.

Read more here

Betting On RoyaltyTote turnovers for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival

at Kenilworth on Friday and Saturday with three other local race meetings Friday through Sunday ‘did well’, according to TAB boss Vee Moodley.

"TAB turnovers were up on last year, in spite of a hiccup with our online tote system on Thursday and Friday’.

“National turnovers were up 17.4 percent on last year from R39,766,488 to R46,705,440. Phumelela Gaming and Leisure territories were up 23.4 percent on 2017, while Kenilworth Racing’s turnover increased by 9.8% – all despite the current economic conditions,” said Moodley. “Of course, last year on the same weekend we lost the Saturday Scottsville meeting and Turffontein on the Sunday.

“I was also satisfied with the Pick 6 pool on Saturday at Kenilworth which surpassed the estimate by reaching a net of R4.1 million and paid out a handsome dividend of R225,437.

“But the increase shows the Festival is growing in stat-ure. Gaynor Rupert and her team are doing an amazing job promoting the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Festival. The atmosphere at Kenilworth over the weekend was electric and the turnovers show that it’s going to grow even more from here.”

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SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 13

WinTer TiMeTriple Equus Champion, and Champion First Crop Sire, What A Winter enjoyed a notable treble this past weekend. His daughter Magical Wonderland scored an impressive victory in the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes, on the first day of the 2018 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate race meeting on Friday. Next up was a hugely impressive juvenile winner in the form of the Drakenstein Stud bred and owned Clouds Unfold on Saturday. What A Winter’s third winner of the weekend was the Dr Ian Heyns bred Imagine That who enjoyed a step up to 1600m when breaking her maiden by three parts of a length over 1600m at Scottsville on Saturday. What A Winter has 11 lots on this month’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale, including a full-sister to Gr3 Cape Nursery winner Dutch Philip (# 165).

Short Heads

reMinDerThe One Hundred and Thirty Sixth Annual General Meet-ing of Members will be held at the offices of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa, Turf Club Street, Turffontein, Wednes-day 17 january at 2pm.

Cute Salutejockey Grant van Niekerk was the darling of the sponsors and the crowd on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Saturday but his salute prior to the finish line when winning the Paddock Stakes on Oh Suzanna cost him R2500.

WorldbeatersMauritzfontein sire Ideal World was represented by four more winners this weekend. First of the Ideal World progeny to score was Tease, who broke her maiden in fine style over a mile at Kenilworth on Friday. Ideal World looks to have a smart 2yo in the form of Inverroche, who strolled home to make a three length winning debut over 1000m at Scottsville on Saturday. She was the very first 2yo runner for Ideal World this season. The Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes runner-up Ideal Secret impressed many pundits on Sunday when he won a Progress Plate over 1600m at Turffontein. Next up was Alec Laird trained Amazing Strike, who registered his eighth win in a Pinnacle Stakes on the same card.

Leading Lady RetiResTwo years ago apprentice jockey Kei Chiong Ka-kei took Hong Kong horse racing by storm but the 25-year-old has announced her retirement after failing to recovery from a finger injury. When Chiong returned from a stint in riding New Zealand in 2015 she became the first female jockey to ride full-time at Sha Tin in 15 years. She rode an historic 4 winners in one day, becoming champion apprentice in her first season and winning the inaugural Tony Cruz Award for leading local jockey. She was also crowned most popular jockey for that breakout season, winning a fan vote ahead of superstars like joao Moreira, Zac Purton and Douglas Whyte. Bob’s Our Uncle

In multiple graded-stakes winners West Coast and Collected, Hall Of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has two chances to defend his title won by Arrogate in the $16 million Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest race, to be run on the same day as the Sun Met - Saturday 27 january - at Gulf-stream Park. 9 of the 12 Pegasus berths have been filled.

Igugu’s SonFormer champion race mare Igugu, who died in November 2016, had one son that was named Kikujirou. The two -year-old colt, sired by juddmonte Farms’ ace stallion Dansili, will be trained by john Gos-den and has been entered in the 2019 Investec Derby.

Golden MissTop steeplechaser This-tlecrack will miss the rest of the season, including March's Cheltenham Gold Cup, with a stress fracture. The 2016 King George VI Chase winner only returned to racing in December after 10 months out with a leg injury. Thistlecrack missed the 2017 Gold Cup with a slight tendon tear, having started the season by winning his first four starts over fences.The 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday, 16 March.

Aussie trainer Robert Smerdon's float driver Greg Nelligan has

been charged with laying horses from his employer's stable as part of the wide-ranging raceday treatment investigation. Rule AR 175B(2) states that 'Any person employed by a trainer in connection with the training or care of racehorses must not lay a horse under the control of the trainer for whom he is or was employed, while so employed.' It is alleged that Nelligan bet $100 on the Smerdon-trained Darney Gub to lose a race at Moonee Valley. Darney Gub finished second, beaten 0.2L, as a favourite after leading in the 1600m contest.

A few Met hopefuls saw their fortunes turn for the

worse on Saturday. Hat Puntano had his starting stall certificate withdrawn and he has been scratched. Horizon managed fourth in the Peninsula Handicap but returned lame on the left fore. Black Arthur has been suspended for two months after suffering a pulmonary haemorrhage . Callan Murray also reported that he felt something amiss with Deo juvente in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate running. The son of Trippi has now finished over 37 lengths back at his last two starts. That’s no ideal Met prep.

JC P

ho

tos

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 14

fortune - 'Blame Me!'

The thorny issue of first-timer com-ments reared its ugly head at Fairview on 3 January when debutante Carlita bounded home by eight lengths after being backed from 10-1 to odds on.

The daughter of Oratorio is owned by trainer Alan Greeff and his wife Glennifer, in partnership with retired jockey Andrew Fortune’s wife, Ashley.

The multiple champion trainer’s com-ments on Tellytrack’s raceday preview that the debutante ‘will need the run but could manage the back end of quartets’ immediately raised eyebrows, with some punters crying foul in view of the flood of money for the winner.

In response to an editorial published af-ter the race on the Sporting Post website, the former SA champion jockey said:

“I worked the filly 2 days before and told Alan I felt she would need the run. He only went on what I told him, so blame me.”

Fortune was on course with his family to lead the impressive winner in. She was ridden by Teaque Gould, while Greg Cheyne rode the more ‘fancied’ stable-mate, Supa Smart. Cheyne reported he felt something amiss with Supa Smart in running and did not persevere with his ride. Nothing was detected by the Vet.

We are aware that Greeff is one of the trainers willing to give pre-race comments and any public attack could well end up in him declining that voluntary source in future.

The National Horseracing Authori-ty have advised that trainer A Greeff appeared before the Board and was ques-tioned regarding his pre-race comments pertaining to his two runners in the first race. The matter has been adjourned.

Dreaming Of Dollars The countdown continues to the

CTS $500 000 sprint and mile on Sun Met day and as expected there were some big movers after the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival Of Racing over the past weekend.

The connections of the likes of Mag-ical Wonderland and exciting Var colt Talk Of The Town have some, not too difficult, decisions to make!

Magical Wonderland showed her preference for the sprint track when bulleting home in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes on Friday.

A few hours earlier, the Var colt Talk Of The Town, won his first start over a mile with ease. Anton Marcus rode an aggres-sive race on the Backworth Stud-bred chestnut and said afterwards that if he had to ride the race again, he would have stretched them more early on. It was only an MR 80 Handicap but new owners Ken and jane Truter and the Avontuur Stud team must be very excited.

Both Magical Wonderland and Talk Of The Town are ex-Mayfair Speculators runners.

The two Sun Met day events –run over 1200m and a mile – are restricted to eligible graduates of the 2016 Cape Premier Yearling Sale held on 21 and 22 january 2016, the CTS March Yearling Sale held on 19 and 20 March 2016 and the Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale held on 21 April 2016.

The What A Winter colt Dutch Philip, who runs in Saturday’s Gr2 Diadem Stakes at Kenilworth, continues to top the CTS 1200 log (per 10 january) with Gr1 winner Sand And Sea – a runner in the Listed Sophomore Sprint on this coming Saturday in second position.

At current rates of exchange, the total prize money on offer is over R12 million.

View the logs here

Phumelela Shareprice date close high low v o l u m e10jan 1710 1710 1700 10,63409jan 1750 1750 1700 34108jan 1700 1750 1700 3,95005jan 1700 1700 1700 004jan 1700 1700 1700 2,93003jan 1700 1700 1700 10102jan 1750 1750 1750 17 29Dec 1750 1750 1706 8,093

d I G e s t d I a r y

Features To ComeSat 13 jan Gr2 Diadem Stakes 1200m Kenilworth (S) (L) Sophomore Sprint (3yo’s) 1200m Kenillworth (S) (L) Swallow Stakes (3yo’s) 1200m Turffontein (S) Sun 21 jan (L)Michael Roberts Hcp 1800m Scottsville

Sun 27 jan Gr1 Sun Met 2000m Kenilworth (S) Gr1 Cape Flying Championship 1000m Kenilworth (S) Gr1 Majorca Stakes (F&M) 1600m Kenilworth (S) Gr1 Cape Derby (F&M) 2000m Kenilworth (S) Gr2 Western Cape Stayers 2800m Kenilworth (S) (L) Juvenile Stakes (2yo’s) 1000m Kenilworth (S) The CTS 1200 (3yo’s) 1200m Kenilworth (S) The CTS 1600 (3yo’s) 1600m Kenilworth (S)

Sat 3 Feb Gr3 Tony Ruffel S.(3yo’s) 1450m Tuffontein (I)

Gr3 Three Troikas S.(3yoF) 1450m Turffontein (I)

(L) Wolf Power 1600 1600m Turffontein (I)

Sat 17 Feb Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Hcp

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P e r s o N a L I t y

karl Neisius

KingThe Diadem Stakes was first run as the Diadem Weight For Age

Plate at Kenilworth on 30 November 1957. The race was usually run in late November or early December and was Kenilworth’s answer to Milnerton’s Cape Flying Championship. It has been won by champions, beating champions.

After starting out as the Diadem WFA Plate, the race was run as the Southern Cross Stakes in 1971 and 1972 and then reverted to the Diadem Stakes from 1974 onwards.

Family affairIn 1957, it was run for a stake of £1,400 and won by j.W. Hill’s

homebred, Tetrina (Royal Pardon - Zorina). She was trained by Stanley Gorton and ridden by Freddie Heyman. The 3yo filly was assigned 7st 9 (but carried 7st 10) and won in a time of 1 minute 13.4 seconds, besting Cookie Amos’ mighty Black Pirate by half a length,with Syd Garrett’s Fair Weather a short head third.

Tetrina’s full brother, the mighty Royal Affair, won the race the following year and in 1974 it was won by a son of Royal Affair in Lancaster. Similarly, Over The Air won in 1979 and his son, Express Courier, won it in 1988.

Having lost to Tetrina and Royal Affair, Black Pirate won back to back renewals of the race in 1959 and 1960. Other horses to win multiple times are Queen’s Plate winner Inverthorn, Queen’s Plate and Met winner Peter Beware, Queen’s Plate and july win-ner Flaming Rock, the mighty Flobayou was a three time winner, Nhlavini won it 3 times and What A Winter won it twice. Howev-er, the undisputed king of the Diadem is Karl Neisius, who has 10 Diadem wins to his credit.

Karl’s Top 10Karl’s first win came in 1981, on Mr & Mrs Frank War-

ing’s Lurgan, trained by Chris Snaith. “I’d just started riding for Chris and it was my first big race win for him. After that I rode for him for quite a few years,” remembers Karl.

His next win was also for Chris Snaith aboard Front Cover in 1984 and produced the only dead heat in the history of the race. “He was a lovely big grey horse. Very long striding,” re-members Karl. “Chris picked him up in a riding school in joburg. The guys said why don’t you have a go with him, Chris said OK and brought him down, put him in racing and he never stopped winning.” They dead-heated with Garth Puller on Chili Bite. “We ran down the outside of the course. I thought I’d got it. He was such a big horse and nor-mally the one on the outside gets it, but when the picture came out, it was a dead heat. But half is still better than nothing,” he smiles ruefully. “I eventually won 10 races on him. He was a lovely horse.”

In 1987, Karl won the race on Lord Randolph.

The filly Far Afield set the pace, with Lord Randolph placed just off the vanguard. When he asked the question, Lord Randolph passed her to win by an easy 1.75 lengths. Karl remembers, “He was one of the jaffee’s first really decent horses. I also won 9 races on him. He was a lovely chestnut with a big white face. He was a strong, robust, muscular sort of horse – typical sprinter. He had a very strong finish, so you used to have to hide him away a little. If you got him covered, he’d give you a fantastic burst at the end.”

Flaming RockThen came the wonderful Flaming Rock, who won back to back

runnings of the Diadem in 1991 and 1992. “We always used to put him in the Diadem and let him have a run there to see how he was for the season. It was normally his first run back from Durban, so it would be a little pipe opener and he’d go on after that. We hardly ever galloped him before the race,” he recalls. “We just put him in to see how he’d go. And he managed to win it twice in a row.”

Commenting that there aren’t too many like that around these days, he agrees. “As a jockey, you are very lucky to get more than one of those horses in your life, especially in South Africa. He could sprint and he could stay. I have very fond memories of riding him. “Every time you rode him it was special. He was one of my favourites to ride. He never did a thing wrong at track and was just the perfect gentleman to ride.”

FlobayouFlobayou was the first horse to win three Diadems. In 1994 he

beat Taban by 2.5 lengths, he won it again in 1995, beating jewel Of Asia. In 1996, he was 4th behind Cordocelli, Wise King and Bushmanland and then he won it again in 1997, beating London

News, Cordocelli and the likes of Shah’s Star and Bush-manland. “Flobayou was a bit of a handful,” recalls

Karl. “He was a tough horse to work with and tended to want to do a little too much. He was a very temperamental horse in the pens his whole career – he had to be in out and wouldn’t stand

still even for a few seconds, but I won 16 races on him.”

Karl rode Captain Al to victory in Decem-ber 2000. “I was freelancing at the time. I

can’t quite remember how I got the ride, but I was very happy to ride him. He was a great

horse.” Captain Al had contracted a lung disease during the Durban season and lost some of his lung capacity, so Vaughan Marshall had brought him

back to sprint distances. “He ran on pure heart,” remembers Karl. “I gave him a chance that

day and sat just off them and he just mowed them down at the

end.” Win no 10 came courtesy of What A Winter in 2011. Asked what he

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 17

k a r L N e I s I u s

remembers of the race he chuckles, “I won very com-fortably, that’s all I remember. He was a very, very good horse. I was sad to lose the ride to Bernard Fayd’herbe, but that’s the way things go. I won 7 on him and there’s nothing too shabby about that. I always enjoyed having long relationships with horses.”

Ten wins in the same race must be a record of some kind? “I don’t know, I don’t follow joburg races a lot. Piere Strydom rides so many winners, he might have done it, but I’m very happy to have won the race 10 times. It’s one of my favourite races and one of my fa-vourite courses. It’s also probably my favourite distance – I love the Kenilworth 1200m.” Asked why, he retorts mischievously, “Probably because that’s where I won most of my races!”

Special course“The Kenilworth 1200m is a fantastic distance. As you

can see with some of the horses that have won this race, a really decent miler can come out and win the 1200m at Kenilworth. I think the course has got a little bit quicker than it used to be, so maybe you don’t see it now as much as you used to, but you’ll find a lot of really good young horses that win the 1200m at Kenilworth, go on to be top mile - 2000m horses and go on and do really good things. It’s a fantastic course, and some really fantastic horses have won their first race over the Kenilworth 1200m.”

He explains what makes it testing is that the track un-dulates subtly. “From the 1200m you go up slightly, then it levels out a bit. Then you go over the junction and if a horse catches it wrong, it can set you back a length or two. With the wear and tear it gets a bit undulating, so they have to sort it out every 2 years or so and flatten it out,” he explains. “Then the track rises again, goes down, and rises and flattens out in the last 300-400m.” Prompted to elaborate on the best way to negotiate the junction, he explains, “If you catch the junction wrong and your horse gets little unbalanced, you’ve got to bring them back to you little bit and wait till they find their stride again. The nice thing is that you’ve got a lot of time for your horse to correct itself and get travelling nicely again and 9 times out of 10 you’ve got a bit of a head wind to race into, so there’s plenty of time to sit. If you want to, you can sit until the last furlong out – even longer if you’ve got a lot of horse under you. It gives you plenty of time.”

About the Race“The race used to be run at the beginning of the sea-

son and it was the first big race of the summer season,” recalls Karl. “I think it was better having it earlier in the season. It was a nice race to progress horses going forward and to show you where you stand. That was the nice thing about the race.”

“I’ve been really lucky – all the colts I rode went on to stud, and it’s got a great heritage in that respect, but I think it’s a great race to win. I’m really happy Lady Laid-law is sponsoring it now and I wish her all the luck.”

Snaith - ‘Bring on Met Day’With the severe drought in the Western Cape, trainer Justin Snaith

and his team have had to come up with a “total new approach” to the summer season and whatever they are doing is certainly working.

Tabnews reports that Snaith is at the top of the national trainers’ log, more than R2 million clear of second-placed Sean Tarry.

“I was disappointed with our results last season in the Cape and we found at the end of the season the horses were tired. Before this season we changed our approach. We’ve been fine-tuning our training, learning and improving on our mistakes.

“Our horses are doing very little at home before their races. Now we’ll see. If we hit Met Day with good results, we’ll know we’ve found a new way to approach the summer season. I’m looking forward to the Met.”

One of the reasons for his good results is the pristine condition of the Kenilworth track. “Honest,” he said, “I don’t worry about my horses racing. If possible the horses are sounder afterwards than before.”

The Queen’s Plate is a race meeting at which Snaith has enjoyed immense success in the past and it was no different at the two-day festival last weekend. He had 52 runners across both days and saddled six winners, two last Friday and four on Saturday. He also had seven sec-onds, four thirds and two fourths as well as a couple of unplaced runners worth watching on Met Day. “The placed runs are just as important as the wins,” he said.

“And every one of them is 100% clear after their races. We had a little bit of rain early on in the week and the track was beautiful.”

He had four runners in the Queen’s Plate, with 50-1 outsider Copper Force doing best in second and best-fancied African Night Sky not really making an impact and finishing seventh, 2.90 lengths behind Legal Eagle.

“I said before the race that Copper Force had a hiccup and had to go on heavy medication. That flattened him for the Green Point Stakes. His form is deadly otherwise.

“On Saturday he came from last from a bad draw, found trouble in the straight and fired home. If he gets a clear run perhaps he wins the race (although that Legal Eagle is a hard horse to get past – he was 100% beat but wouldn’t give up).

“Copper Force is a nifty individual.“And he’s not the only horse of mine who ran an impossible race on

the day. Watch Krambambuli in the replay of the Peninsula Handicap. He had 60kg on his back and came from 20 lengths behind to finish fifth. Incredible!”

Snaith was happy with African Night Sky’s effort. “He was not beaten far and his best distance is 2000m. It was only his second run this sea-son because we’d planned to run him in the jet Master Stakes, but that race was taken away. So he was always going to be one run short.

“The race was run very quick and he never got into it. He wasn’t sharp enough. But that will bring him on for the Met. You’ll see. He’ll be a different horse.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win, but he’ll be in the firing line.”One of Snaith’s wins came in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes with

Oh Susanna, who will now take her place in the Sun Met.“I have a strong string. As many horses as I brought to the Queen’s

Plate Festival, there were another 20 at home.“But it’s been hard work – nothing comes easy, so there have been

many sleepless nights and long hours at the stables for (brother and assistant) jonathan, the owners, managers and me … and it all goes on to Met Day.

“Bring it on. Met Day will tell whether we’ve done things right or wrong.”

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 18

B r e e d I N G

Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate victory by the brilliant son of Greys inn had us reflecting how the late new Zealand champion Za-beel has more than left his

mark on the South African racing scene. He is the sire of Gauteng Guineas winning sire, Oracy, while another son, Ess Five Beaches, won the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup and would have joined Oracy at stud had he not died prematurely.

Zabeel was also broodmare sire of local graded winners, Nothing But Silk (Sceptre Stakes, Southern Cross Stakes) and Curved Ball (Dingaans), sire of this season’s Gr2 Dingaans runner up, Seerite.

Greys innZabeel’s best son to race in South Africa was undoubtedly Equus

Champion, Greys Inn (USA), who won the 2004 Vodacom Durban july, amid a trio of Gr1 races. Greys Inn competed in four different countries and twice faced off against legendary Australian race mare, Makybe Diva (Desert King). The versatile brown colt won from 1200m to 2450m and perhaps put up his finest performance when second to champion Vengeance Of Rain in the 2005 QE II Cup at Sha Tin, when Greys Inn accounted for international Gr1 winners Bullish Luck, Epalo, Elvstroem and Grand Armee.

Interestingly among the notable horses beaten by Greys Inn in the july was champion filly, Promisefrommyheart (Elliodor), whose son, Master Of My Fate (jet Master), was represented by his first winner, when Twist Of Fate won on Friday.

While Greys Inn’s greatest son has been, without doubt, Legal Eagle, he is also sire of Royal Bencher, who dead-heated in the SA Derby , and retired grey, King Of Pain. The latter accounted for champions, Beach Beauty (Dynasty), Yorker (jet Master) and Capetown Noir (Western Winter), when victorious in the 2014 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and won a total of four graded races in all. Other graded winners for Greys Inn include Canterbury Tale, Chekilli and Forries Waltz, although it is perhaps telling that he is yet to be represented by a single graded stakes winning filly.

VersatilityGreys Inn’s stud record could well have gained further gloss had

his talented sons, Chekilli and Forries Waltz, both not died in train-ing. Perhaps it is no surprise that despite being a son of a major stamina influence in Zabeel, Greys Inn has also proved capable of throwing above average sprinter-milers –his dam is a half-sister to outstanding sprinter, Zeditave.

Grey's Inn

Greys Inn’s sire, Zabeel, has had a most notable impact in this country this season through Saturday’s Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, Legal Eagle and his presence has also been felt through the deeds of his grandson, Lonhro in 2017-2018. Best known in South Africa as the sire of 2016 Vodacom Durban july winner, The Conglomerate, Australian Horse Of The Year, Lonhro, has a pair of bright three-year-olds representing him in South Africa this season. They are recent Gr3 Lebelo Sprint win-ner, Alfolk and last season’s Gr1 SA Nursery runner up, Naafer.

Remarkably, Alfolk and Naafer are the only two sophomores representing their sire in this country this season. Lonhro’s own sire, fellow Australian Horse Of The Year, Octagonal, also enjoyed Gr1 success in South Africa, with his son, Suntago-nal, who downed champion, National Currency, in the 2002 Premiers Champion Stakes.

Leading SireLonhro has outperformed his sire at stud, already having a

General Sires title to his credit, as well as the titles of Leading Sire of 2yos and Leading Sire of 3yos (by stakes) and has also twice been leading sire of winners in Australia. His champion son, and Golden Slipper winner, Pierro, has also been represent-ed by Listed Christmas Handicap winner, Roy Had Enough (a first South African runner for his sire), and it is not hard to see both Lonhro and Pierro enjoying sustained success, from their limited runners, in this country.

Pierro is currently Australia’s Leading Second Crop Sire and with a Gr1 winner emerging from his very first crop (VRC Oaks heroine Pinot) looks to be a sire with a very bright future ahead of him. Already represented by six stakes winners this season, Pierro has some well-bred youngsters still to represent him.

He could well be the horse most likely to ensure the ongoing success of the Zabeel male line, with assistance from New Zea-land Champion sire, Savabeel. Pierro, however, has a long way to go to match the feats of his ancestor, Zabeel, who notched up 23 sires titles during his remarkable career. He left behind at least 13 official champions, including Might And Power and Octagonal, who were two of the greatest racehorses to grace the Australian turf in the past few decades and who won a combined 17 Gr1 races, and Hong Kong champion, and Dubai Sheema Classic winner, Vengeance Of Rain.

Zabeel, who died in 2015, continues to dominate various broodmare sire lists in Australasia, and already has four titles in New Zealand to his name.

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 19

South Africa thrives on imported mares, and progeny from foreign sires. new blood to feed the fire. The mare bands at Drakenstein, Wilgerbosdrift, Mauritzfontein and Highlands pro-vide ample evidence of this. But buying breeding stock abroad, and bringing them here in foal to highclass sires is an expensive business. Few can afford it.until now, that is. For the CTS Breeding Stock Sale provides a great chance for everyone to get a foot in the door at what might well be value-for-money prices. There are eighteen imported mares, with foals at foot by amazing stallions (including Frankel), and in-foal to leading sires (including Silvano and Dynasty). The chance of a lifetime, also for pinhookers.Here’s a summary of what may well contain a wealth of future headlines.

ALhAArThChampion 2YO and sire of Gr1 winners Haafhd, Awzaan and Phoenix Reach, he is also damsire of Oaks winner Tajmeel and fellow graded winners Via Villaggio and Taghleeb

Lot 266 - dam of two winners overseas, this mare is a half sister to four stakes horses including Gr3 winning sprinter Bonus and dam is a half-sister to Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Predappio.Has a foal colt at foot by Gr1 Zoffany. Sells in foal to Var.

CAPe BLAnCOA champion and five time Gr1 winning son of the world’s greatest sire Galileo

Lot 259 - this mare, inbred to Sadler’s Wells like 2017 European champion Enable, is a half-sister to the dam of a Gr3 winner and is out of a Gr3 winning daughter of champion sire (and outstanding broodmare sire) Riverman and Sadler’s Wells’ Irish Derby winning daughter Salsabil.Sells in foal to Pomodoro.

CATCher in The rYeSon of Danehill was second in the French 2000 Guineas, sire of Gr1 winners in Germany and Argentina, notably Rosenreihe and Catch The Mad, also sire of Mike de Kock’s tough Dubai campaigner Anaer-obio

Lot 264 - dam of a three time winner in Germany, this mare (whose damsire is top broodmare sire Top Ville) is a half-sister to Gr3 winning filly Eastern Appeal, from the same family as Duke Of Marmalade (Danehill)’s French Oaks winner Star Of Seville.Sells with a colt foal by Camelot. In foal to Elusive Fort.

ChAMPS eLYSSeSHorse Of The Year in Canada and a triple Gr1 winner, the full brother to Dansili has sired a string of high class performers headed by Gr1 winner Trip To Paris and group/graded winners Harlem, Suffused, jack Naylor, Billesdon Brook and Xcellence

Lot 268 - this mare is out of a half-sister to dual Gr1 winning 2yo and highly successful sire Dutch Art and French 1000 Guineas winner Up - the latter was sold for $2.2 million at the 2015 Keeneland janu-ary Sale.Has a colt at foot by Rock Of Gibraltar. In foal to Tapit’s son Coup De Grace.

DArK AnGeLThe Middle Park Stakes winner is one of the world’s rags to riches stories and was represented by a trio of very impressive Gr1 winners in 2017 headed by champion sprinter Harry Angel and Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Persuasive

Lot 265 - this mare is a half-sister to a ten time stakes winner as well as to stakes winner and Gr3 Senorita Stakes third (who is dam of Gr1 Phoenix Stakes winner Sudirman), family of top sprinter Dandy Man (sire of Gr1 winner Peniaphobia) and Queen Mary Stakes win-ner Anthem Alexander. Has a filly at foot by Frankel. Sells in foal to What A Winter.

FASTneT rOCKStar sprinter and multiple champion sire of more than 30 Gr1 win-ners, he is already broodmare sire of Australian Gr1 winner, and sire, Tivaci, Australian Gr1 winner Santa Ana Lane and multiple SA Gr2 winner New Predator

Lot 260 - this mare is a ¾ sister to 2 high class stakes winners and to the dam of Investec Derby second Cliffs Of Moher, her dam, third in both the Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas and Gr1 French Oaks, is a Gr3 winning own sister to four time Gr1 winner and Gr1 sire Henryth-enavigator, the family of Breeders’ Cup winner Magician.Has a filly by Camelot. In foal to Dynasty.

Lot 261 - this mare, a half-sister to the dam of Melbourne Cup runner Wall Of Fire, is out of a Gr2 Cherry Hinton winner and is from the great Pretty Polly family.Has a filly by Camelot. In foal to Trippi.

Lot 262 - this mare, closely related to 2 stakes horses, has a win-ning daughter of Sadler’s Wells as a granddam - who is a full-sister to Gr1 winning 2yo Sholokhov, and her second dam is also closely related to Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune.Has a filly by Camelot. In foal to Silvano.

GALiLeORepresented by 12 Gr1 winners as a sire alone in 2017, the world’s premier sire is also an elite broodmare sire and is damsire of such Gr1 winners as Qualify, Night Of Thunder, Galileo Gold, Lea, US Navy Flag, Roly Poly and Saxon Warrior

Lot 258 - this mare, a full sister to stakes winner Circling, is out of a stakes winning daughter of Danehill (whose daughters excel when mated to Galileo) and Mr Prospector’s Gr1 daughter Golden Reef.Has a colt at foot by Duke Of Marmalade. Covered by Silvano.

Lot 267 - this mare is a half-sister to French 2000 Guineas win-ner and Gr1 sire Clodovil and is out of a (now Gr1) Prix de L’Opera winning daughter of champion sire and outstanding broodmare sire Linamix.Covered by Redoute’s Choice’s Gr1 winning son Rafeef - a full brother to champion Mustaaqeem.

Lot 270 - bred on the same cross as Gr1 winners Minding, Alice Springs and The Gurkha, this mare is a full-sister to Gr3 Glorious Goodwood Stakes winner and sire Quest For Peace and is descended from French Oaks winner Mistress Fort.Has a colt by Zoffany. In foal to Gimmethegreenlight.

hOLY rOMAn eMPerOrMultiple Gr1 winning 2yo (and ¾ brother to top class broodmare sire Flying Spur), and champion sire in Hong Kong, he has over 70 stakes winners to his name including classic winners Homecoming Queen

Sunday 21 January following the yearing sale about 6pm at the Cape Town international Convention Centre

C t s B r e e d I N G s t o C k s a L e

Chance Of A Lifetime

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 20

C t s B r e e d I N G s t o C k s a L e

and Rollout The Carpet, broodmare sire of Gr1 winners johannes Vermeer and Verbal Dexterity

Lot 269 - this mare is a winning ¾ brother to four time Gr1 winner and successful sire Mastercraftsman, Gr1 filly Famous and to US graded winner Genuine Devotion, family of champion sires Broad Brush and Capote.Has a colt by Frankel. Covered by William Longsword.

MULL OF KinTYreGr2 Gimcrack winning son of legendary sire Danzig, and sire of Irish 2000 Guineas winner Araafa

Lot 255 - dam of 2 winners overseas, this mare is a half-sister to the dam of an Irish 1000 Guineas winner (also by a Danzig line sire) and the dam of Gr1 2yo Shaweel and her dam is a half-sister to Gr1 Coronation Stakes winner Golden Opinion.Has a filly by Pomodoro. Sells in foal to Gr1 winner Querari (the resulting foal being closely inbred to hugely influential Danzig sire Green Desert)

POUr MOiAn Investec Derby winning son of the great classic sire and emerging broodmare sire Montjeu, he is best known as the sire of English Derby winner Wings Of Eagles and NZ champion Sacred Elixir

Lot 272 - this mare, a half-sister to a stakes placed winner, shares her second dam with the Montjeu sired champion and four time Gr1 winner Camelot (now a highly promising young sire), also the family of Oaks winner Polygamy

POWerIrish 2000 Guineas winning son of Oasis Dream closely related to 2000 Guineas winner and successful sire Foot-stepsinthesand, New Zealand’s Leading First Crop Sire in 2016-2017

Lot 271 - out of a Gr1 2yo by top sprinter Bluebird, this mare is from the same family as Gr1 Prix Maurice De Gheest winner Bold Edge.Has a colt by Camelot at foot. In foal to Twice Over.

SinnDArNow pensioned from stud duties, the former Derby/Arc winner made his mark as sire of Gr1 winners Youmzain, Shareta, Shawanda and Rosanara, and is damsire of Gr1 winning classic winners Flotilla, Encke and Trading Leather, as well as Sun Met winner Whisky Baron

Lot 263 - this mare, dam of 3 winners, is a half-sister to 2 stakes winners and to the dam of Gr1 winning filly Seal Of Approval, from the same family as dual Derby winning sire Harzand, family of multiple Oaks winner Alexandrova, Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling and champion SA sire Royal Prerogative.Has a colt foal by Frankel. Covered by Dynasty

SMArT STriKeDeceased US champion sire and broodmare sire of Ken-tucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, Breeders’ Cup winner Shared Account and fellow Gr1 winners Dullahan, Union Strike, Peace And War and First Dude

Lot 257 - a half-sister to Gr3 Darley Stakes winner Steel Tango, this mare is out of a ½ sister to Gr1 winner Sense Of Style and French 1000 Guineas winner Valentine Waltz, the family of champion sire Last Tycoon, Cape Gr1 winning sire The United States, and 2017 dual Gr1 winner Hydrangea.Has a filly foal by Uncle Mo. Covered by Querari.

New Sire Off The Mark

a Masterful Start Varsfontein Stud stallion MASTER OF MY FATE broke the ice just

weeks after his first runner, when his goodlooking first crop son Twist Of Fate easily won the first race on the opening day of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival Of Racing at Kenilworth last Friday.

Trained by joey Ramsden, the River Palace Racing Syndicate –owned Twist Of Fate skipped clear of his opposition inside the final 200m of the 1000m Maiden juvenile Plate under replacement rider Donovan Dillon. The bang in-form joey Ramsden also saddled the runner-up, Cash Call – a well related Team Valor bred son of Gimmethegreenlight.

The Favour Stud-bred Twist Of Fate is out of the twice winning Counter Action mare, Crescent Lily, a winner of the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview.

The winner, who races for Mauritian connections, looks well bought at R20 000 off the CTS March Yearling Sale.

A handsome son of deceased seven-times champion sire jet Master, the R3 million Master Of My Fate was the top colt sold from the 2011 National Sale. He was a winner of six of eight starts, from 1200m to 1800m, which included the Gr2 Premier Trophy and Gr2 Peninsula Handicap. He is one of two stakes winners produced by Elliodor’s Equus Champion Promisefrommyheart.

From the same family as Breeders’ Cup winning sire Pluck, Master Of My Fate has two lots on offer at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale on 20 and 21 january.

Our Kingdom For A Dynasty Highlands four-times Equus Champion sire Dynasty underlined his su-

perb versatility and extraordinary ability to strike at the top-level again when his sons Eyes Wide Open and Our Emperor scored feature wins on the second day of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival Of Racing at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The only stallion on the premier day to register a feature double, the irrepressible son of Fort Wood delivered the goods with 2yo Gr1 winner Eyes Wide Open booking his Gr1 Sun Met berth with a superb win as a 3yo against older horses in the Glorious Goodwood Gr2 Peninsula Handicap. Ear-lier Dynasty’s staying 4yo Our Emperor got up in the dying strides to win the Gr3 Chairman’s Cup and confirm his medium term Gold Cup aspirations.

Respective winning trainers Glen Kotzen and Brett Crawford are avid Dy-nasty supporters and have enjoyed wide-ranging success with his progeny.

A past SA Horse Of The Year, Dynasty is the proud sire of over 50 stakes winners and producer of champions of the ilk of stallions Futura, Irish Flame, jackson and Legislate, as well as fairer sex stars like Lady In Black, Beach Beauty, Bela-Bela and just Sensual .

The grand sire has 12 lots on offer at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale at the CTICC on 20 and 21 january, including prime targets out of high-class racemares All Is Secret (# 187), Happy Archer (# 23), One Fine Day (# 86) and Var stayer, Princess Of Light (# 110).

Dynasty’s home base Highlands has a high-class draft of 14 youngsters, including four by their champion, including #42, a half-brother to graded stakes winning 2yo’s Olympic Owen and Speedy Suzy out of a Gr2 placed daughter of great Kingmambo -the family of champion US sire Exclusive Native, and Gr1 winners Charismatic, General Assembly, Poet’s Voice and Versailles Treaty.

Another Dynasty is # 112, a smashing colt who is bred on the same cross as Brett Crawford’s Gr1 winner Lady Of The House.

B r e e d I N G

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 21

A beautifully bred 4yo maiden winner daughter of Snitzel (pictured) at Durbanville on Tuesday may well be a filly to keep an eye on.

The Brett Craw-ford-trained Marion Belle was having her second start in the Kieswetter and Ridgemont Racing silks when she romped in over 1000m at odds on.

A A$560 000 purchase off the Yallambee Stud draft by Messrs Crawford & Roscoe at the 2015 Mel-bourne Premier Yearling Sale, she is a beautiful looker.

The 3rd foal of unraced Belle Of The City (Bel Esprit), a half-sister to top-class sire Cecconi (Encosta De Lago), Marion Belle is a daughter of the out-standing Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice).

Champion Sire of Aus-tralia in 2017 as well as Champion 2yo & 3yo sire in the same season, Snitzel has produced 75 Stakes Winners – and 12 Gr1 win-ners - of more than A$80 million in stakes. He has a strike-rate of 11% stakes winners to runners. A sire on fire!

Beauty Belle

The Full Statistics OnlIne http://www.sportingpost.co.za/horse-racing-statistics/ *Stallion dead or Retired **Stallion Not Standing in RSA **Breeding operations not based in RSA - Statistics for Breeders & Sires reflect All earnings, incl. restricted races & handicap races

LEADinG BREEDERS by STAKES SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018

Stakes Breeder rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

9,123,325 Summerhill Stud 264 34,558 1051 64 88 24% 1 1 2% 257 24% 1 Big Bear 1,312,500 14% 8,629,125 Klawervlei Stud 282 30,600 989 69 87 24% 4 5 6% 302 31% 6 Silicone Valley 278,000 3% 7,573,775 Maine Chance 131 57,815 456 43 64 33% 6 6 14% 123 27% 4 Liege 1,203,250 16% 5,549,175 Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein 152 36,508 494 44 55 29% 3 4 7% 159 32% 5 Zen Arcade 484,375 9% 4,701,175 Highlands 123 38,221 464 49 58 40% 3 3 6% 111 24% 1 My Friend Lee 269,800 6% 4,654,925 Drakenstein Stud 90 51,721 294 35 43 39% 2 2 6% 92 31% 8 Oh Susanna 837,375 18% 3,664,050 Ascot Stud 76 48,211 260 24 32 32% 2 3 8% 80 31% 4 Bold Respect 528,750 14% 3,661,025 Scott Bros 130 28,162 501 31 39 24% 0 0 0% 140 28% 4 Premier Show 197,875 5% 3,653,613 Varsfontein Stud 84 43,495 304 26 34 31% 2 2 8% 98 32% 8 Surcharge 288,750 8%

LEADinG SiRES by STAKES SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018 Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

7,655,950 Silvano 196 39,061 609 60 78 31% 5 7 8% 184 30% 9 Girl On The Run 393,750 5% 7,038,700 Trippi 113 62,289 382 41 56 36% 1 2 2% 148 39% 5 Miss Katalin 1,628,750 23% 6,750,800 Dynasty 118 57,210 360 49 64 42% 9 9 18% 90 25% 4 Liege 1,203,250 18% 6,576,463 *Captain Al 131 50,202 424 43 51 33% 4 6 9% 153 36% 9 Snowdance 891,000 14% 5,564,963 Var 177 31,440 623 44 58 25% 1 1 2% 197 32% 3 Western Storm 181,900 3% 4,371,175 *Kahal 108 40,474 432 40 53 37% 0 0 0% 130 30% 3 Pure Blonde 216,250 5% 4,163,150 Querari 89 46,777 297 32 41 36% 2 2 6% 87 29% 1 Wonderwall 425,000 10% 3,696,625 *Sail From Seattle 106 34,874 361 37 49 35% 1 2 3% 95 26% 0 Via Seattle 203,750 6% 3,635,375 Gimmethegreenlight 121 30,044 410 33 39 27% 1 1 3% 99 24% 4 Surcharge 288,750 8%

LEADinG SiRES of 3YO’S by STAKES SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018

Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

4,090,875 Trippi 36 113,635 119 15 20 42% 0 0 0% 54 45% 3 Miss Katalin 1,628,750 40% 3,910,338 *Captain Al 47 83,199 159 22 28 47% 3 5 14% 63 40% 3 Snowdance 891,000 23% 2,691,663 Var 65 41,410 228 22 28 34% 0 0 0% 84 37% 1 Talk Of The Town 177,750 7% 2,551,425 Silvano 75 34,019 195 24 30 32% 0 0 0% 62 32% 3 Vacquero 175,000 7% 2,539,175 Querari 42 60,457 131 18 21 43% 2 2 11% 40 31% 0 Wonderwall 425,000 17% 2,406,125 Await The Dawn 31 77,617 121 12 16 39% 0 0 0% 32 26% 0 Big Bear 1,312,500 55% 2,276,851 What A Winter 60 37,948 188 23 26 38% 1 1 4% 53 28% 2 Magical Wonderland 414,375 18% 2,259,475 Gimmethegreenlight 71 31,824 229 20 24 28% 1 1 5% 52 23% 1 Surcharge 288,750 13% 2,221,375 *Sail From Seattle 60 37,023 201 23 31 38% 1 2 4% 54 27% 0 Via Seattle 203,750 9%

LEADinG SiRES by STAKES on Polytrack SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018

Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

1,221,550 *Sail From Seattle 49 24,930 121 17 19 35% 0 0 0% 39 32% 0 Seattle Flame 123,750 10% 937,850 Trippi 36 26,051 80 8 11 22% 0 0 0% 41 51% 0 Olympic Power 162,700 17% 869,250 Silvano 40 21,731 74 13 14 33% 0 0 0% 20 27% 1 Viento 101,875 12% 861,500 *Kahal 33 26,106 74 9 11 27% 0 0 0% 19 26% 0 Kahula 131,000 15% 819,900 Gimmethegreenlight 45 18,220 90 8 11 18% 0 0 0% 25 28% 0 Accidental Tourist 150,000 18% 774,450 Querari 29 26,705 67 9 11 31% 0 0 0% 20 30% 0 Desert Wisdom 93,450 12% 752,963 *Captain Al 42 17,928 83 9 10 21% 0 0 0% 28 34% 1 Captain Marmalade 92,850 12% 728,350 *Western Winter 29 25,116 67 9 9 31% 0 0 0% 26 39% 0 Mumsy’s Jet 121,450 17%

LEADinG SiRES of 3YO’S by AEPR SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018

Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

4,090,875 Trippi 36 113,635 119 15 20 42% 0 0 0% 54 45% 3 Miss Katalin 1,628,750 40% 3,910,338 *Captain Al 47 83,199 159 22 28 47% 3 5 14% 63 40% 3 Snowdance 891,000 23% 2,406,125 Await The Dawn 31 77,617 121 12 16 39% 0 0 0% 32 26% 0 Big Bear 1,312,500 55% 853,700 Alado 11 77,609 43 6 9 55% 1 1 17% 15 35% 0 Rocket Countdown 350,000 41% 1,272,375 Ideal World 21 60,589 68 8 12 38% 1 2 13% 18 26% 1 Zen Arcade 484,375 38% 2,539,175 Querari 42 60,457 131 18 21 43% 2 2 11% 40 31% 0 Wonderwall 425,000 17% 1,309,900 Brave Tin Soldier 23 56,952 91 8 8 35% 0 0 0% 28 31% 0 Brave Mary 552,000 42% 2,207,975 Dynasty 48 45,999 128 19 23 40% 3 3 16% 26 20% 1 Hashtagyolo 284,375 13% 2,691,663 Var 65 41,410 228 22 28 34% 0 0 0% 84 37% 1 Talk Of The Town 177,750 7%

with 10 or more rnrs

LEADinG SiRES of 2YO’S by STAKES SeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2018

Stakes Sire rnrs AEPR runs wnrs wns wnr/ SW SW SW/ plcs plc/ SP top earner with stakes rnr% wnrs wns wnr% rns% & % of total stakes

153,750 Oratorio 4 38,438 4 3 3 75% 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 Van Halen 59,375 39% 133,200 Crusade 5 26,640 9 1 1 20% 0 0 0% 6 67% 0 Crimean Queen 62,500 47% 129,025 Bold Silvano 4 32,256 6 2 2 50% 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 Mazari 68,000 53% 128,725 *Sail From Seattle 8 16,091 11 2 2 25% 0 0 0% 4 36% 0 Twin Falls 50,000 39% 122,750 What A Winter 6 20,458 6 2 2 33% 0 0 0% 1 17% 0 Vertical Descent 62,500 51% 96,100 Var 8 12,013 10 1 1 13% 0 0 0% 4 40% 0 Val-La-Ree 62,500 65% 89,625 Pomodoro 3 29,875 3 1 1 33% 0 0 0% 2 67% 0 Lethal Weapon 65,625 73% 86,500 Elusive Fort 3 28,833 5 1 1 33% 0 0 0% 3 60% 0 Good Buddy 62,500 72%

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 22

hot hitmanAldo Domeyer’s five-timer at

Durbanville on Tuesday was a sign of a man in sizzling form. The jock, known as ‘The Hit-man’ to local punters, rode 4 winners for his boss Candice Bass-Robinson and one for joey Ramsden. Domeyer turns 31 on 11 March and could bid for an SA championship – if he travels. He

is currently 3rd on the national log and enjoys a 19% win strike-rate. He won the Met on Martial Eagle in 2013 – and is likely to ride Marinaresco on 27 january.

Purple PatchMilnerton-based Candice

Bass-Robinson has hit a purple patch of form. She saddled a treble at Kenilworth on Friday – including the feature double. On a rather qui-et L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Satur-day she only celebrated one minor

winner. At Durbanville on Tuesday she struck with four winners. She looks to

have a major Sun Met day in prospect – with Marinaresco a massive runner in the big race, and big prospects in the CTS US dollar races.

Good neighboursAnthony Andrews’ great ride to

keep 3yo Eyes Wide Open on a straight path to win Saturday’s Gr2 Peninsula Handicap for his Paarl neighbour, trainer Glen Kotzen, was

not his first Gr2 success as sug-gested by some Tellytrack commen-tators. The Choice Carriers-sponsored Andrews was aboard Princess

Royal – also for Glen Kotzen – when she won the Gr2 Scep-tre Stakes, almost two years ago. One gets the feeling that Andrews is much better than his 6% win strike-rate would suggest, and he will hopefully start getting more decent mounts to show his talent.

R a c i n g T o W i n

FOLLOW US

Aldo Domeyer is the man to follow in the Cape

Anthony Andrews and Glen Kotzen

had their eyes wide open in the Gr2

Peninsula Handicap

Candice Bass-Robinson’s string is in fine form

LEADinG TRAinERS by STAKESSeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2017

trainer rides wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ % % % % four four% rides

J Snaith 591 85 14% 99 17% 34% 64 11% 260 44% 10,729,225 18,154 SG Tarry 507 40 8% 69 14% 22% 47 9% 181 36% 8,342,200 16,454 MF de Kock 311 57 18% 108 35% 35% 45 14% 172 55% 6,070,750 19,520 C Bass-Robinson 452 53 12% 53 12% 30% 35 8% 192 42% 5,045,800 11,163 BJ Crawford 318 40 13% 53 17% 25% 44 14% 146 46% 4,593,425 14,445 PA Peter 278 47 17% 51 18% 31% 24 9% 121 44% 4,591,838 16,517 AC Greeff 418 53 13% 84 20% 33% 57 14% 202 48% 3,732,950 8,931 MG & AA Azzie 223 26 12% 38 17% 21% 34 15% 95 43% 3,443,550 15,442 GS Kotzen 393 35 9% 38 10% 32% 34 9% 136 35% 3,352,275 8,530 AG Laird 195 31 16% 43 22% 40% 23 12% 90 46% 3,349,125 17,175 DC Howells 264 33 13% 46 17% 35% 30 11% 115 44% 3,260,475 12,350 DR Drier 247 30 12% 49 20% 35% 33 13% 115 47% 3,181,013 12,879 J Ramsden 247 29 12% 40 16% 28% 34 14% 111 45% 3,026,250 12,252 D Kannemeyer 211 33 16% 36 17% 50% 23 11% 92 44% 2,982,750 14,136 JAJ v Vuuren 200 21 11% 36 18% 17% 31 16% 92 46% 2,775,725 13,879 VH Marshall 241 28 12% 26 11% 42% 24 10% 97 40% 2,771,025 11,498 GV Woodruff 199 27 14% 45 23% 33% 26 13% 87 44% 2,632,750 13,230 GD Smith 495 28 6% 28 6% 29% 53 11% 173 35% 2,591,175 5,235 Y Bremner 324 35 11% 38 12% 21% 27 8% 138 43% 2,509,925 7,747 M Houdalakis 220 25 11% 28 13% 32% 18 8% 92 42% 2,284,438 10,384 T Laing 186 34 18% 31 17% 39% 23 12% 94 51% 2,277,850 12,247 G v Zyl 179 23 13% 25 14% 36% 22 12% 80 45% 2,198,125 12,280 DA Sham 280 28 10% 20 7% 25% 30 11% 101 36% 2,180,275 7,787 LW Goosen 114 22 19% 27 24% 33% 19 17% 64 56% 2,089,550 18,329 SD Gray 246 20 8% 11 4% 18% 20 8% 92 37% 2,009,776 8,170 GM Alexander 199 21 11% 13 7% 31% 21 11% 72 36% 1,956,000 9,829

LEADinG JOCKEYS by WinSSeASon 2017/2018 • 1 August - 7 January 2017

jockey rides wins win fav fav wfav 2nd 2nd 1st 1st stakes stks/ % % % % four four% rides

A Delpech 335 84 25% 129 39% 38% 58 17% 211 63% 7,964,288 23,774 L Hewitson 627 66 11% 70 11% 24% 69 11% 264 42% 6,763,688 10,787 M Yeni 556 61 11% 89 16% 26% 56 10% 257 46% 5,483,101 9,862 A Marcus 235 60 26% 115 49% 36% 38 16% 144 61% 6,079,788 25,871 K De Melo 492 59 12% 67 14% 34% 56 11% 233 47% 5,884,475 11,960 A Domeyer 311 58 19% 90 29% 33% 36 12% 180 58% 4,641,825 14,925 C Murray 398 58 15% 83 21% 35% 49 12% 170 43% 4,624,475 11,619 G Lerena 262 54 21% 99 38% 32% 49 19% 157 60% 5,395,413 20,593 G v Niekerk 251 52 21% 46 18% 28% 37 15% 152 61% 7,111,625 28,333 G Wrogemann 424 51 12% 45 11% 36% 46 11% 187 44% 5,749,688 13,561 R Fourie 304 50 16% 63 21% 32% 41 13% 155 51% 4,179,500 13,748 G Cheyne 314 44 14% 68 22% 31% 50 16% 176 56% 4,047,875 12,891 C Zackey 501 42 8% 45 9% 20% 45 9% 184 37% 4,196,063 8,375 B Fayd’herbe 211 39 18% 48 23% 31% 25 12% 111 53% 4,059,975 19,242 K Zechner 417 39 9% 32 8% 16% 46 11% 172 41% 3,541,463 8,493 R Danielson 314 33 11% 22 7% 27% 23 7% 118 38% 3,839,800 12,229 P Strydom 233 32 14% 42 18% 19% 30 13% 99 42% 3,242,650 13,917 R Munger 538 32 6% 14 3% 50% 32 6% 162 30% 2,821,625 5,245 W Kennedy 317 31 10% 34 11% 29% 41 13% 132 42% 2,917,125 9,202 JP vd Merwe 435 30 7% 32 7% 28% 36 8% 143 33% 2,886,113 6,635 J Penny 463 29 6% 8 2% 13% 25 5% 124 27% 2,079,875 4,492 M Thackeray 412 27 7% 8 2% 13% 23 6% 122 30% 1,821,051 4,420 R Simons 214 25 12% 44 21% 32% 23 11% 87 41% 2,873,300 13,427 S Veale 282 25 9% 38 13% 24% 40 14% 127 45% 3,505,650 12,431 D Schwarz 241 23 10% 12 5% 25% 23 10% 92 38% 1,907,450 7,915 A Arries 176 23 13% 16 9% 31% 20 11% 81 46% 1,899,000 10,790

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 23

B L a C k t y P e r e s u L t s

kenilworTHFriday, 5 january

Weather partly cloudy, with a slight South-easterly wind. The penetrometer reading was 22, the going posted as good. The rail was in its original position, with a 2m spur at the 600m at the entrance of the

home-straight.

Jamaica Handicap (Listed) R150,000

Aussie FliesThe Australian-bred Leaves Of Grass took

full advantage of her favourable draw and handy weight to register a welcome first stakes success with a last gasp victory in the R150 000 Listed jamaica Handicap at Kenilworth on Friday.

The 4yo skipped up the outside of the track to make ground and register an im-pressive victory over a distance probably short of her best.

A solid pace was set by the strong-gal-loping Alado mare Adorada for much of the race as Leaves Of Grass relaxed five lengths off the pace from her nice draw on the rail. Into the home run Adorado faded out as Cheyne switched Leaves Of Grass to the centre of the track for a clear run.

With Baroness Mary threatening as a

Gr2 Sceptre Stakes R400,000

Magical MissThe Candice Bass-Robinson team

enjoyed a red-letter afternoon, amidst a wave of blue and white, on the opening day of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Fes-tival Of Racing at Kenilworth – with their star What A Winter filly Magical Wonder-land rounding off a cracking feature race double.

After being hammered by boom 3yo Snowdance in the Cape Fillies Guineas last month, it made sense for a back to basic manoeuvre for Magical Wonderland, last season’s Cape Racing’s juvenile Filly of The Year.

Freshened up and reverting to her favourite track and trip, Aldo Domeyer had the beautiful filly – racing for the first time in the Bryn Ressell silks – well off the gallop set by Green Plains and Shufoog.

The race appeared wide open at just under the halfway marker. But looking as if she had sprouted wings, Magical Won-derland scythed between runners at the 300m pole.

She put her ears back and under a hands ride – with Aldo Domeyer glancing around – she bounded clear to score a facile geared-down two length success in a time of 71,95 secs.

Magical Wonderland’s win was a peak success to date for Drakenstein stallion What A Winter, officially South Africa’s Leading First Crop Sire for 2016-2017.

The triple Equus Champion, a four-time Gr1 winner, was trained by Mike Bass in his racing days and Magical Wonderland’s success must be regarded an emotional milestone all round for the Bass family.

A R450 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Magical Wonderland has won 5 races with 1 place from 7 starts for stakes of R667 500. She was recently purchased

by her original partners Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell out of the Mayfair Speculators dissolution of racing interests.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, the winner is out of the unraced Magical Miss (Al Mufti).Gr2 Sceptre S. R400.000 1200m

Winner Magical Wonderland ran on from midfield, to win hands and heelsRose In Bloom ran on from off the pace, but had no chance with the winnerPrincess Peach ran on from a handy posi-tionThis looks to have been a true run sprint, and was by far the fastest of the races up the straight. We gave the runner-up (80-85-86-86-86-85) 86, which makes the winner (74/86/87/96/91/88) 93 and the third finisher (85-79-87-81-80-81) 82

93 1 0.00 Magical Wonderland (4) 54.5 A Domeyer 7/2 3 b f What A Winter - Magical Miss (Al Mufti) 86 2 2.00 rose in BlooM (13) 54.5 M Seidl 36/1 3 b f Gimmethegreenlight - Raise The Bar (Goldkeeper) 82 3 3.25 Princess Peach (11) 54.5 R Fourie 36/1 3 b f Captain Al - Princess Tobin (Badger Land) 81 4 3.45 Angel’s Trumpet (14) 54.5 G v Niekerk 25/1 83 5 4.45 Jo’s Bond (9) 59.0 B Fayd’herbe 16/1 83 6 4.65 Live Life (3) 59.0 G Cheyne 6/1 79 7 4.95 Anneline (7) 58.0 C Zackey 55/1 77 8 5.05 Green Plains (6) 55.5 L Hewitson 16/1 82 9 5.45 Just Sensual (10) 60.0 A Marcus 7/2 76 10 5.85 Nordic Breeze (5) 58.0 M Byleveld 45/1 73 11 6.60 Weston (2) 58.0 C Murray 55/1 73 12 6.70 Sommerlied (15) 58.0 S Veale 12/1 66 13 7.45 Shufoog (12) 54.5 JP vd Merwe 6/1 69 14 7.50 Desert Rhythm (1) 55.5 C Orffer 19/1 69 15 7.70 Felicity Flyer (16) 58.0 R Khathi 36/1 0 16 99.99 Hoist The Mast (8) 58.0 D Dillon 16/1 Time: 71.95s (59.96s avg/1000m, or 60km/h) sP Total %: 121%1st T:C Bass-Robinson o:Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D L Brugman) & Messrs Bryn Ressell & N M Shirtliff B:Maine Chance

likely winner late, Leaves Of Grass finished best of all to win by a neck in a time of 124,59 secs.

Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson, who enjoyed a good day at the office, said that Leaves Of Grass had strengthened up nicely. “This was her target. She should get 2400m and will definitely go to KZN for the season. She will make a nice broodmare when her chance comes,” she added.

A winner of 3 races with 7 places from 13 starts, Leaves Of Grass has earned R303 150. She looks a bargain buy by Paul Lafferty off the Gold Front Thoroughbreds draft for A$15 000 off the 2015 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.Jamaica Handicap-(L) R150.000 2000m

Winner Leaves of Grass came from off the pace, running on well to win in a tight finishRunner-up Raya Baya raced in midfield, finishing well and just beatenThird finisher Baroness Mary raced handy and kept on, beaten in a close finishThis was comparatively the fastest of the four races over a mile and more. We gave the second (80-67-78-69-79-81) 81, which makes the winner (65-74-76-75-76-71) 69 and the third (70-73-73-66-63-68) 68

69 1 0.00 leaves of grass (1) 52.0 G Cheyne 11/2 4 b f Poet’s Voice - Promotional(AUS) (Al Maher) 81 2 0.20 raya Baya (13) 52.0 L Hewitson 10/1 3 ch f Hussonet - Military Band(AUS) (General Nediym) 68 3 0.40 Baroness Mary (12) 52.0 G v Niekerk 12/1 4 b f Dynasty - Countess Larish(CAN) (Cozzene) 80 4 0.80 Midnight Moonlight (9) 52.0 B May 16/1 78 5 2.05 Woodstock Fairy (8) 52.0 A Andrews 18/1 68 6 2.80 Qing (3) 54.0 C Orffer 19/1 64 7 3.20 Adorada (11) 52.5 M Byleveld 18/1 77 8 4.20 Oriental Oak (10) 59.5 C Zackey 22/1 69 9 5.70 Captain Gambler (7) 57.0 M Seidl 22/1 57 10 6.20 Silver Willow (4) 52.0 R Fourie 11/2 60 11 6.95 Skip A Beat (2) 54.0 R Khathi 45/1 68 12 7.45 Red Ginger (6) 58.0 C Murray 6/1 72 13 7.65 Epona (5) 60.0 A Marcus 41/10 56 14 7.70 Northern Ballet (14) 53.0 S Veale 22/1 Time: 124.59s (62.3s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) sP Total %: 118%1st T:C Bass-Robinson o:Messrs C & R Kieswetter & Ridgemont Racing (Nominee Craig Carey) B:bred in Australia

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 24

B L a C k t y P e r e s u L t s

Sporting Post

ABiLiTY RATinGS (AR)

puts every horse in its place

Gr1 Paddock Stakes R1000,000

Youth The KeyThe younger generation dominated the

running of the prestigious R1 million Carti-er Gr1 Paddock Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday with justin Snaith and Grant van Niekerk producing the magic for Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud.

The only trio of 3yo fillies in an illustrious line-up dominated the finish, with a dream plan come together for the feature-hungry Snaiths and their esteemed clients.

Grant Van Niekerk had the Cape Fillies Guineas bridesmaid in a more prominent position than usual and the pair tracked Goodtime Gal and Star Express into the home straight.

Van Niekerk, who is riding with vastly improved confidence after a mostly forget-

Gr1 Queen's Plate R1 500,000

King Of QueensThe outstanding Sean Tarry-trained

champion Legal Eagle brought the house down at a sunny Kenilworth on Saturday when clinching an emotionally charged historic third consecutive victory – and his most dramatic yet.

Now unbeaten in 8 starts at a mile, Legal Eagle showed steely character in the hands of the cucumber cool Anton Marcus to take his earnings to close on R11 million – and vindicate the confidence of the big spending Braam van Huyssteen, who bought into him with partners Wil-liam Henderson and Hedley McGrath just weeks earlier.

Fresh off his Green Point Stakes win five weeks earlier, Legal Eagle looked a million dollars and has filled out even further into his 6yo season. Trainer Sean Tarry con-firmed afterwards that his prep had gone scarily well.

jumping smartly, Legal Eagle was allowed to settle in third as the giant-striding Cap-tain America led the way from It Is Written.

Into the home run, Captain America appeared to quietly snatch a length as Marcus tracked him five lengths in arrears, with Legal Eagle continuing to gallop powerfully.

The warning light came on at the 250m marker but Legal Eagle answered the call and he rallied as Marcus showed him the whip and he hauled Captain America in – but with challenges flying through from all sides.

At the line he had 0,40 lengths to spare over a flying Copper Force, with the gal-lant Captain America plugging on for third, ahead of a flying Sail South. Marinaresco ran a cracking Met prep finishing fifth.

jockey Anton Marcus, winning his sev-enth L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate after his first 25 years ago, was emotional in the post-race interview.

An emotional trainer Sean Tarry said that it was probably the least pressured Queen’s Plate yet – ‘as everything went so smoothly’.

Legal Eagle, who has won 12 races with 7 places from 21 starts for stakes of an extraordinary bank of R10 648 875, was bought by Sean Tarry on behalf of former

kenilworTH Saturday 6 january

Weather partly couldy, with a mild South-easterly headwind. The penetrometer reading was 22, the

going posted as good. The rail was in its original position, with a 3m spur at the 600m on

the entrance to the home straight.

leading owner Markus jooste for R425 000 at the 2013 BSA National Yearling Sale.

Bred by Avontuur, he is a son of Voda-com Durban july winner Greys Inn (Zabeel) and is out of the six-time winning Young Sensation (National Emblem)- who was also trained by Sean Tarry..Gr1 Queen’s Plate R1.5 million 1600m

Winner Legal Eagle raced handy, but some way off the leader who set a solid pace; made his effort halfway up the straight, get-ting to the leader short off the post and just holding on from a fast-finishing pelotonRunner-up Copper Force raced in midfield, running on wellThird finisher Captain America set a strong pace, attempting to steal a march, almost pulling it offWith Captain America storming ahead of affairs at a solid pace, this was is essence a false run race. Markers were impossible to distinguish on the televised race, so that proper fractions are not available. The result throws up peculiar ratings, which do not fit previous efforts of several contenders, notably Copper Force. The Sun Met, also run at weight-for-age at month-end, might confirm this. Meanwhile, the ratings go haywire, as we gave the third (111-102-111-112-106-112) 112, which makes the winner (116-116-112-113-96-114) 113 and gives the runner-up Copper Force (94-89-96-96-99-85) 112, an unlikely thirteen point improvement

113 1 0.00 legal eagle (2) 60.0 A Marcus 7/10 6 b g Greys Inn - Young Sensation (National Emblem) 113 2 0.40 coPPer force (12) 60.0 L Hewitson 50/1 4 b g Royal Air Force - Eastern Copper (Al Mufti) 112 3 0.50 caPTain aMerica (9) 60.0 C Orffer 8/1 7 b g Captain Al - Requista (Fort Wood) 112 4 0.70 Sail South (8) 60.0 G Cheyne 22/1 111 5 0.90 Marinaresco (4) 60.0 A Domeyer 11/1 109 6 2.15 Silicone Valley (1) 60.0 D Dillon 22/1 107 7 2.90 African Night Sky (5) 60.0 B Fayd’herbe 7/1 106 8 3.30 Gold Standard (11) 60.0 R Fourie 11/1 100 9 6.05 Hat Puntano (10) 60.0 G v Niekerk 15/1 78 10 16.30 Fifty Cents (3) 60.0 P Strydom 36/1 72 11 19.05 Deo Juvente (7) 60.0 C Murray 50/1 69 12 20.05 It Is Written (6) 60.0 B May 100/1 Time: 98.14s (61.34s avg/1000m, or 59km/h) sP Total %: 122%1st T:SG Tarry o:Messrs William Henderson, F H McGrath & A J van Huyssteen B:Avontuur Farm

table year of ups and downs in 2017, was quick to send his mount into the lead at the 350m.

The move proved decisive and grabbed important ground on his rivals – and it was left to Dennis Drier’s Gr1 winner Lady In Black to chase them home, just 1,50 lengths in arrears.

The winner clocked 111,46 secs for the 1800m.

“I thought I may have sent her a bit early. I let her use her action today. She quick-ened and I was just a passenger. She is close to my heart. I ride her every day – we are both a bit crazy. My day is now made and thanks again to the Snaith Racing Team,” said an elated Grant van Niekerk.

justin Snaith reaffirmed the fact that his star had a good draw ‘for a change’.

Oh Susanna has won 2 races with 3 plac-es from 7 starts and stakes of R923 375.

She was bred by Drakenstein and is by Street Cry out of the valuable USA six-time winner Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), who was purchased for A$1 million in foal to Street Cry in 2012. She is in foal to Galileo and will foal down in late February.Gr1 Paddock S. R1 million 1800m

Winner Oh Susanna raced handy, forged clear with 200m to go and won wellRunner-up Lady In Black raced in midfield, running on, but no chance with winnerThird finisher Fresnaye came from off the pace, running on, but no chance with first twoThis was comparatively the third fastest of the races round the turn, and slower by some way. The first half of the race went at a pace much slower than the Peninsula Handicap and Queen’s Plate. As a result the second half was faster, suggesting a sprint home up the straight. We gave the runner-up (70-83-93-83-88) 92, which makes the winner (78-84-85-72-83-91) 95 and the third horse (79-74-78-77-86-91) 91. Possibly not a result to put too much faith in.

95 1 0.00 oh susanna (5) 54.0 G v Niekerk 71/20 3 bl/br f Street Cry - Sharp Susan(USA) (Touch Gold) 92 2 1.50 lady in Black (6) 54.0 S Veale 15/1 3 b f Dynasty - Mystery Dame (Jet Master) 91 3 2.75 fresnaye (4) 54.5 P Strydom 10/1 3 b f Western Winter - Gulf Breeze(GB) (Dubai Destination) 94 4 2.80 Nother Russia (10) 60.0 C Zackey 61/20 92 5 3.30 Safe Harbour (7) 59.5 A Marcus 13/1 92 6 3.70 Silvan Star (13) 60.0 R Fourie 22/1 90 7 4.00 Seattle Gold (2) 59.5 G Cheyne 100/1 89 8 4.75 Wind Chill (12) 59.5 L Hewitson 28/1 86 9 6.50 Louisiana (14) 60.0 C Orffer 66/1 82 10 8.50 Star Express (15) 60.0 C Murray 28/1 81 11 8.70 Gimme Six (9) 59.5 B Fayd’herbe 15/2 80 12 9.20 Orchid Island (16) 59.5 JP vd Merwe 22/1 79 13 9.50 Whose That Girl (3) 59.5 A Domeyer 100/1 76 14 11.75 Nightingale (8) 60.0 A Delpech 11/2 73 15 13.25 Goodtime Gal (11) 60.0 M Byleveld 28/1 68 16 15.00 The High Life (1) 59.5 D Dillon 100/1 Time: 111.46s (61.92s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) sP Total %: 120%1st T:J Snaith o:Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) B:Drakenstein Stud

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 25

B L a C k t y P e r e s u L t s

How horses performed in South Africa’s black type races, expressed in points based on the kind of races and how far behind the winner they finished. A full explanation of the point system and the complete list of point earners is on the Sporting Post website.

TOP EARnERS for 2017/2018(to 7 january 2018)

horse age sex points racesLegal Eagle 6 c 150 2Snowdance 3 f 100 2Liege 5 c 100 1Oh Susanna 3 f 72 2Tap O' Noth 3 c 70 1Wonderwall 3 c 62 2Captain America 7 c 60 2Silicone Valley 7 c 50 1Eyes Wide Open 3 c 50 1Milton 6 c 50 1Hat Puntano 4 c 50 1The Thinker 4 c 50 1Copper Force 4 c 46 1Girl On The Run 5 f 45 2Sail South 7 c 43 1Marinaresco 5 c 41 1White River 3 c 40 2Nother Russia 5 f 37 2Bella Sonata 5 f 32 2Rocket Countdown 3 c 30 1Monks Hood 3 c 30 1just Sensual 4 f 30 1Magical Wonderland 3 f 30 1Fort Ember 5 f 28 1Coral Fever 5 c 26 1Will Pays 6 c 26 2Pagoda 4 c 26 1Alfolk 3 c 25 1Our Mate Art 4 c 25 1Our Emperor 4 c 25 1Strathdon 4 c 25 1Cascapedia 4 f 25 1My Friend Lee 4 f 25 1Last Winter 4 c 24 1Edict Of Nantes 4 c 20 1Lady In Black 3 f 20 1Like A Panther 3 c 18 1Dutch Philip 3 c 18 1The Slade 4 c 18 1Social Order 4 c 18 1Cot Campbell 3 c 16 1Seerite 3 c 14 1Naafer 3 c 14 1Hoist The Mast 5 f 14 1Bi Pot 4 f 13 1Mrs O 3 f 10 1Fresnaye 3 f 10 2French Navy 6 c 9 1New Predator 5 c 8 1Always In Charge 4 c 8 1Amazing Strike 6 c 8 1She's A Giver 4 f 7 1Live Life 4 f 7 1

Gr2 Peninsula Handicap R400,000

eyes On MetHighlands’ super stallion Dynasty reg-

istered a smart feature double on L’Or-marins Queen’s Plate day when 3yo Eyes Wide Open played himself into Sun Met contention with an impressive victory in the R400 000 Glorious Goodwood Gr2 Peninsula Handicap.

The only 3yo in a fifteen strong field of seasoned hardknockers, last season’s Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes winner Eyes Wide Open benefitted from a great ride by the underrated Anthony Andrews.

Eyes Wide Open had missed the Cape Guineas with a respiratory ailment and the Woodhill Racing trainer Glen Kotzen paid tribute to his leading owner for his patience. “It always pays you back in the end,” he quipped.

As to why Anthony Andrews had gotten the ride ahead of the winner’s owners Chrigor Stud sponsored Richard Fourie, who rode Ollivander, the explanation was a simple one.

“Eyes Wide Open was supplemented. Richard (Fourie) had already accepted on Ollivander. So Anthony (Andrews) was available and he rides work here and is an up-and-coming rider. It worked out well,” added Kotzen.

Andrews had Eyes Wide Open five lengths off the pacesetting Milton in sixth and kept his head in the straight as inex-perience saw his mount lug inwards under pressure. With Dean Kannemeyer’s The Slade breathing down his neck, Eyes Wide Open always had the upper hand and went on well to score by 0,75 lengths in a time of 110,11 secs.

The Highlands bred Eyes Wide Open is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the one time winning Live Your Dreams (jallad).

An R850 000 BSA KZN Sibaya Yearling Sale graduate, Eyes Wide Open has won 3 races with 1 place from 7 starts and took his stakes tally to R783 375.

Gr2 Peninsula Handicap R400.000 1800mWinner Eyes Wide Open raced midfield in a very fast run race, running on wellRunner-up The Slade raced handy, and kept on remarkably well, beaten less than a lengthThird finisher Platinum Prince missed the break and consequently raced from well off the pace, which turned out to be a blessingThis was by far the fastest of the races run around the turn, with Milton setting a suicid-al pace and second horse Stonehenge (a confirmed front runner normally) not holding back either. We gave the runner-up (79-78-80-85-86-95) 95, which makes the winner (72-75-89-75-99-84) 101 and the third finisher (78-79-83-90-81-81) 88

101 1 0.00 eyes Wide oPen (10) 52.0 A Andrews 18/1 3 b c Dynasty - Live Your Dreams (Jallad) 95 2 0.75 The slade (12) 54.0 A Delpech 13/2 4 ch g Philanthropist - Aquatint(AUS) (Peintre Celebre) 88 3 2.75 PlaTinuM Prince (5) 53.0 G Cheyne 28/1 4 b g Silvano - Spirit Ofthe Dance (Goldmark) 92 4 4.25 Horizon (4) 56.0 P Strydom 13/2 99 5 5.25 Krambambuli (13) 60.0 B Fayd’herbe 11/1 80 6 5.65 Ollivander (8) 52.0 R Fourie 11/2 85 7 5.85 Mambo Mime (7) 54.0 M Byleveld 13/2 80 8 6.05 Waiting For Rain (15) 52.0 JP vd Merwe 36/1 90 9 6.35 Elusive Silva (11) 57.0 G v Niekerk 13/2 91 10 6.40 Our Mate Art (3) 57.5 A Domeyer 11/1 85 11 7.65 Mac de Lago (2) 56.0 M v Rensburg 28/1 91 12 8.15 Nebula (9) 59.0 D Dillon 18/1 71 13 10.15 Stonehenge (6) 52.0 L Hewitson 36/1 89 14 10.45 Milton (14) 60.0 C Zackey 15/1 0 15 99.99 Black Arthur (1) 57.5 C Murray 9/1 Time: 110.11s (61.17s avg/1000m, or 59km/h) sP Total %: 124%1st T:GS Kotzen o:Chrigor Stud (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs S Hattingh) B:Highlands

Gr3 Politician Stakes R250,000

Fort KnocksThe Fosters could well have an Investec

Cape Derby back-up on their hands after Doublemint’s impressive R250 000 Gr3 Politician Stakes score at Kenilworth.

A two-time winner, with a victory over the boom 3yo Talk Of The Town to his credit, Doublemint was not expected to be quite ready to win a Gr3 at his first try at 1800m.But the race panned out perfectly, with the son of Twice Over relaxed in third and track-ing The Sun Also Rises and Run Red.

Van Niekerk gave Doublemint the sign at the 350m marker and he strode on past the pacesetter like a smart horse to hold The Sun Also Rises – who found a second breath late – to a 1,50 length win in a time of 111,73 secs.

Steel Rose ran a gutsy, albeit well beaten, third a further two lengths back.

Doublemint, who has won 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts for stakes of R289 000, was bred by Alec Foster from Klawervlei sire, Twice Over (Observatory) and is out of the one-time winner Nepeta (Tale Of The Cat).Gr3 Politician Stakes R250.000 1800m

Winner Doublemint raced handy, running on to account for the pace setterRunner-up The Sun Also Rises made the pace; ran on but was outpaced by winnerThird finisher Steel Rose was never nearer than at the finish, well beatenThis was the slowest of the three 1800m races, although only marginally slower than the false run Paddock Stakes. The quality of this Gr3 race is debatable and the ratings give little encouragement for future to the featured horses. We gave the runner-up (61-68-69-73-76-80) 80, which makes the winner (71-59-75-79-77-78) 83 and the third horse (76-75-85-82-72-79) 79

83 1 0.00 douBleMinT (7) 55.5 G v Niekerk 13/2 3 ch c Twice Over - Nepeta(NZ) (Tale of the Cat) 80 2 1.50 The sun also rises (10) 55.5 P Strydom 13/2 3 b g Trippi - Hawker Hunter (Jet Master) 79 3 3.50 sTeel rose (1) 57.0 P Botha 11/1 3 b g Gitano Hernando - Single Rose (Joshua Dancer) 78 4 3.90 Opera Royal (2) 57.0 R Fourie 4/1 73 5 4.65 Visigoth (5) 55.5 L Hewitson 15/1 83 6 4.75 Ancestry (3) 60.0 B Fayd’herbe 9/2 72 7 5.05 Big Parade (9) 55.5 A Delpech 5/1 76 8 5.10 Big Pleasure (4) 57.0 D Dillon 13/2 69 9 6.60 Orakal (8) 55.5 M Byleveld 36/1 67 10 7.85 Run Red (6) 55.5 A Domeyer 15/1 Time: 111.73s (62.07s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) sP Total %: 118%1st T:J Snaith o:Mr A N & The Hon Mrs G R Foster B:AN Foster

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 26

Gr3 Chairman's Cup R250,000

Stay All DayThe improving Dynasty gelding Our

Emperor made full use of his handy gal-loping weight and a judicious ride by Greg Cheyne to land the spoils off a muddling pace in the R250 000 Gr3 Chairman’s Cup at Kenilworth on Saturday.

With Gauteng visitor Let It Rain dictating a stroll early in the race, Grant van Niekerk gradually edged closer on Master’s Eye, who was some 15 lengths off the leader as they went into the 24000m marker. Van Niekerk built his mount up gradually and launched his assault at the 800m around his field.

The move – while his only choice – prob-ably cost him the race, though, as there was little in it at the end.

With Master’s Eye rallying strongly in the straight, Greg Cheyne produced Our Em-peror at the 300m, switching the gelding to the outside of the Snaith runner.

The two went head and head to the wire – and were so close together, neither jockey dared pull a whip.

At the line, a confident Cheyne got Our Emperor’s nose down where it counted, to win rather cosily by a head in a time of 212,61 secs.

Captain Splendid stayed on without threat-ening in third a further 2,25 lengths back, with Let It Rain tiring to hang on to fourth.

The winner was bred by WIlgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the four-time winner, Express Queen (jet Master).

A R475 000 BSA Val De Vie Yearling Sale graduate, Our Emperor has won 4 races – this was his first stakes success – with 3 plac-es from 10 starts and stakes of R387 325.Gr3 Chairman’s Cup R250.000 3200m

Our Emperor raced from off the pace, fin-ishing well and winning a touch cleverlyMaster’s Eye came from midfield, finishing well for a close second, but looked always held by the winner.Captain Splendid raced handy, running on, but without any chance against the first two.This was an awful race from a staying perspective, with no early pace at all and a sprint-finish. Ratings carry little weight as a result. We gave the runner-up Master’s Eye (99-94-73-91-85-88) 91, which makes the winner (71-73-72-76-82-83) 83 and the third finisher Captain Splendid (70-91-86-93-78-89) 90.

83 1 0.00 our eMPeror (2) 52.0 G Cheyne 71/20 4 b g Dynasty - Express Queen (Jet Master) 91 2 0.10 MasTer’s eye (6) 56.0 G v Niekerk 9/4 6 b g Jet Master - Jettatura (Al Mufti) 90 3 2.35 caPTain sPlendid (4) 57.0 P Strydom 4/1 5 b g Captain Al - Justthewayyouare (Fort Wood) 90 4 2.85 Let It Rain (3) 57.0 M v Rensburg 11/2 79 5 4.10 My World (5) 53.0 M Byleveld 15/1 75 6 5.35 Woodland’s Forest (7) 52.0 B May 18/1 91 7 10.85 Ovidio (1) 63.0 B Fayd’herbe 9/1 Time: 212.61s (66.44s avg/1000m, or 54km/h) sP Total %: 110%1st T:BJ Crawford o:Messrs D G Abery, G S Knowles, Bryn Ressell & N M Shirtliff B:Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

TurFFonTeinSunday 6 january

Weather partly cloudy, 18-330C, with a 15km/h cross/head wind. The penetrometer reading was 21, the

going posted as good. There was a false rail 5m on the back straight to 8m on the bend, with an 8m

spur at the 700m mark.

Gr3 London new Stakes R250,000

Up The irish!Mike de Kock’s very progressive Irish-

bred Cascapedia won Sunday’s R250 000 Gr3 London News Stakes at Turffontein.

Relaxed early as The Elmo Effect, Amster-dam and Girl On The Run showed the way, Cascapedia was going so well early in the home straight that Anthony Delpech had little choice but to send her for home.

She picked it up, lengthened her stride and drew off to beat the late finishing Abashiri by 1,40 lengths in a time of 111,20 secs.

A €170 000 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale pur-chase by Form Bloodstock, Cascapedia has won 5 of her 6 starts for 1 place and stakes of R461 850.

A daughter of High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), Cascapedia was bred by Tipperary based Camas Park Stud and is out of the unraced Dansili mare janoubi. The latter is a half-sister to dams and grandams of graded stakes performers in the UK & France and hails from the female line of champion Al Bahathri.Gr3 London News Stakes R250.000 1800m

Winner Cascapedia raced handy; ran on well to win unchallenged; reportedly made respiratory noise post-race.Runner-up Abashiri raced from off the pace, moved up smoothly, but no chance with winnerThird finisher Coral Fever raced from off the pace, running on well until short of the post, re-cording what seems to be a career-best effort.This was a peculiar race, where Abashiri’s stable companion Amsterdam led, clear of the field, but not at a break-neck pace. That suggest the field went too slow and the race was decidied in a sprint home. That could explain why the race is hard to rate, given previous ratings of many of the runners – notably third finisher Coral Fever, who appears to have run way above what we knew her to be. The ratings need to be treated with a great deal of caution, then. We gave the fourth (98-90-98-94-91-92) 98, which makes the winner (73-77-73-80-94) 102, the runner-up (50-89-89-100-110-102) 106 and the third (86-83-91-81-93-92) 105.

102 1 0.00 cascaPedia (4) 55.0 A Delpech 9/2 4 b f High Chaparral - Janoubi(GB) (Dansili) 106 2 1.40 aBashiri (2) 58.0 C Orffer 41/10 5 b g Go Deputy - Donya (Elliodor) 105 3 2.90 coral fever (8) 59.0 M Yeni 9/1 5 ch g Judpot - Coral Tree (Rich Man’s Gold) 98 4 4.10 Girl On The Run (6) 56.5 D Mansour 10/1 99 5 4.35 Matador Man (3) 57.5 L Hewitson 6/1 100 6 4.75 French Navy (9) 58.0 R Danielson 8/1 98 7 5.45 Amsterdam (12) 58.0 JP vd Merwe 36/1 86 8 8.05 Bi Pot (5) 55.0 C Murray 10/1 88 9 10.55 Master Switch (13) 58.0 S Brown 44/1 86 10 11.55 The Elmo Effect (1) 58.0 P Strydom 22/1 85 11 12.95 Romany Prince (11) 59.0 K De Melo 28/1 81 12 13.70 Pagoda (10) 57.5 M v Rensburg 13/1 83 13 15.00 Brazuca (7) 60.0 Wei Marwing 19/1 Time: 111.2s (61.78s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) sP Total %: 116%1st T:MF de Kock o:Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss J B Slack) B:bred in Ireland

Sea Cottage Stakes (Listed) R150,000

Majestic!Trainer Paul Peter looks to have a poten-

tial SA Triple Crown prospect on his hands after the Mambo In Seattle colt Majestic Mambo doddled in to register his first stakes success and maintain his unbeaten record in Sunday’s R150 000 Listed Sea Cottage Stakes at Turffontein.

Registering his third win from three starts over 1800m, Majestic Mambo was dropped out to last by Anthony Delpech from a wide draw in Sunday’s feature and simply cut his opposition down to win going away by 2,25 lengths in a time of 111,84 secs.

Majestic Mambo is unbeaten in three starts and took his earnings to R218 750.

He was unsold off the 2016 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, but subsequently acquired by Paul Peter for R40 000 off the Lanzerac Ready To Run Sale. He races for the Peter family’s Hyperpaint Syndicate.

Bred by Moutonshoek, Majestic Mambo is a son of Mambo In Seattle (Kingmambo) out of the one-time winning Regal Classic (Al Mufti). The dam won at 2400m. He is bred on the same cross as graded stakes winners Desert Rhythm and Fortune Fella. as well as Listed Michaelmas Handicap winner Mr O’Neill.Sea Cottage Stakes R150.000 1800m

Winner Majestic Mambo came from off the pace; ran green, shifting both ways, after hitting the front; ran on well, unchallengedRunner-up Royal Crusade came from off the pace; ran on, but no chance with winnerThird finisher Alshibaa raced in midfield, and wasn’t settled; ran on to improve on previous rating.This was an interesting field, with more than a few horses likely to improve on what they’d shown previously. We’ve rated the race accordingly, although it’s possible we went a bit too high, especially as the time was slower than that of the London News Stakes run half an hour later. We gave the fourth (77-85-85-76-85-89) 85, which makes the winner (70-85) 97, the runner-up (69-81-75-82) 93 and the third (82-82-56) 92. Time will tell.

97 1 0.00 MajesTic MaMBo (11) 58.0 A Delpech 8/10 3 b c Mambo In Seattle - Regal Classic (Al Mufti) 93 2 2.25 royal crusade (3) 58.0 JP vd Merwe 11/2 3 b c Silvano - Royal Fantasy (Al Mufti) 92 3 2.75 alshiBaa (6) 58.0 C Murray 13/1 3 b g Street Cry - Asheerah(AUS) (Redoute’s Choice) 85 4 3.15 Aurelia Cotta (9) 55.5 L Hewitson 18/1 86 5 3.45 Gambado (2) 56.0 R Simons 44/1 81 6 5.65 Silver God (7) 56.0 R Danielson 18/1 79 7 6.85 Full Mast (8) 56.0 Wei Marwing 22/1 76 8 8.35 Harlan County (1) 56.0 K De Melo 6/1 79 9 8.95 Polar Ice (10) 58.0 M v Rensburg 44/1 80 10 10.70 Blackball (4) 60.0 C Zackey 22/1 0 11 99.99 Flight School (5) 56.0 P Strydom 36/1 Time: 111.84s (62.13s avg/1000m, or 58km/h) sP Total %: 119%1st T:PA Peter o:Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr G T Peter) B:Moutonshoek

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 27

1st & 2nd season sires – 2yo’sMASTER OF MY FATE (Jet Master)Lucky Dancer 2c (Shedrivesmecrazy by Tiger Ridge)

Kenilworth 1 Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m (13/01)NOBLE TUNE (Unbridled's Song)Frozen Tune 2c (Winter Feast by Western Winter)

Kenilworth 1 Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m (13/01)WHAT A WINTER (Western Winter)Adriano's Triumph 2c (Triumphal Arch by Caesour)

Kenilworth 1 Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m (13/01)Superstitious 2c (Seeking by Giant's Causeway)

Kenilworth 1 Maiden Juvenile Plate 1000m (13/01)

2nd season sires – 3yo’sAWAIT THE DAWN (Giant's Causeway)Cristian 3c (Picturesque by Al Mufti)

Fairview 3 Maiden Plate (Polytrack) 1600m (12/01)Gold Dawn 3f (Goldrun by Rich Man's Gold)

Turffontein 1 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1000m (13/01)Until Dawn 3f (Hot Reception by Muhtafal)

Turffontein 4 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m (13/01)Blue Hope 3f (Discover Diamonds by Marscay)

Scottsville 3 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m (14/01)BYWORD (Peintre Celebre)Bytrix 3c (Victrixit by Victory Moon)

Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)No More Words 3f (Adella by Toreador)

Turffontein 6 Swallow Stakes (3yo Fillies)(Listed) 1160m (13/01)

True Words 3c (Kalami by Daylami)Kenilworth 8 MR 74 Handicap 1200m (13/01)

CRUSADE (Mr Greeley)joking Dice 3f (Slew per jet by jet Master)

Fairview 7 Aloe Handicap (3yo Fillies)(Non-Blacktype)(Polytrack) 1300m (12/01)

jaunita 3f (Perakeen by Rakeen)Turffontein 1 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1000m (13/01)

Wheels Are Up 3c (Aquitaine by Al Mufti)Kenilworth 3 Maiden Plate 1600m (13/01)

Covered In Snow 3f (Blue Nevada by Anytime)Turffontein 6 Swallow Stakes (3yo Fillies)(Listed) 1160m (13/01)

Onamission 3f (Tempted by jallad)Turffontein 6 Swallow Stakes (3yo Fillies)(Listed) 1160m (13/01)

Fast Looks 3f (Ramp Model by Rakeen)Scottsville 3 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m (14/01)

Slightly Scottish 3c (Lilly Pilly by Diesis)Scottsville 6 MR 83 Handicap 1600m (14/01)

Crusado 3c (Kenmare House by Victory Moon)Scottsville 8 MR 72 Handicap 1200m (14/01)

IRISH FLAME (Dynasty)Ingabangabonga 3f (Lady Gray by Badger Land)

Kenilworth 4 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m (13/01)MARCHFIELD (A P Indy)Green Field 3c (jade Empress by National Assembly)

Fairview 3 Maiden Plate (Polytrack) 1600m (12/01)Close To My Heart 3f (Roxie Heart by Dynasty)

Fairview 7 Aloe Handicap (3yo Fillies)(Non-Blacktype)(Polytrack) 1300m (12/01)

Spring Poetry 3f (Lundy's Lass by Lundy's Liability)Turffontein 5 MR 78 Handicap (F&M) 2000m (13/01)

Endofmarch 3c (Mon Dieu by Saumarez)Kenilworth 9 MR 68 Handicap 1600m (13/01)

ORATORIO (Danehill)Tubular Bell 3c (Goose Valley by Right Approach)

Fairview 3 Maiden Plate (Polytrack) 1600m (12/01)Sacred Touch 3c (Red Growler by Fort Wood)

Fairview 4 Maiden Plate (Polytrack) 1900m (12/01)Verdi 3c (Vail by Western Winter)

Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)Bayeto 3c (Aretha by Centenary)

Kenilworth 3 Maiden Plate 1600m (13/01)War-King 3c (Guest Among Men by Among Men)

Scottsville 1 Maiden Plate 1200m (14/01)Daydream Believer 3f (Fine Feather by Best By Test)

Scottsville 3 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1200m (14/01)TWICE OVER (Observatory)Libra 3f (Sleek 'n Sassy by Captain Al)

Fairview 7 Aloe Handicap (3yo Fillies)(Non-Blacktype)(Polytrack) 1300m (12/01)

Troop The Colour 3c (Colchium by Elnadim)Kenilworth 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)

Second Chance 3f (Late Summer by Gone West)Kenilworth 4 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m (13/01)

Sand And Sea 3c (Sea Point by Spectrum)Kenilworth 6 Sophomore Sprint (3yo's)(Listed) 1200m (13/01)

Two Moon junction 3f (Promise Me by Labeeb)Scottsville 5 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1950m (14/01)

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 28

WHAT A WINTER (Western Winter)What A Player 3f (Shaan Madary by Darshaan)

Fairview 7 Aloe Handicap (3yo Fillies)(Non-Blacktype)(Polytrack) 1300m (12/01)

Edith's Rose 3f (Rose Reserve by Lake Coniston)Fairview 9 MR 68 Handicap (F&M)(Polytrack) 1300m (12/01)

Royal Marine 3c (Irish Royal by Kalanisi)Kenilworth 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)

Ten-Four 3c (Ladies Domain by Dominion Royale)Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)

Tripod 3c (Lightning Bird by jet Master)Turffontein 2 Maiden Plate 1000m (13/01)

Supreme Winter 3c (Supreme Duel by Royal Chalice)Kenilworth 3 Maiden Plate 1600m (13/01)

Love Dove 3f (Cape Badger by Badger Land)Kenilworth 4 Maiden Plate (F&M) 1600m (13/01)

Dutch Philip 3c (Upity Ann by Dominion Royale)Kenilworth 7 Gr2 Diadem Stakes 1200m (13/01)

Siberian Husky 3c (Isle Of Dogs by Strike Smartly)Kenilworth 9 MR 68 Handicap 1600m (13/01)

What A joker 3c (Sharada by Parade Leader)Kenilworth 9 MR 68 Handicap 1600m (13/01)

Whiteout 3f (Visionary by Best By Test)Turffontein 9 MR 60 Handicap (F&M) 2000m (13/01)

Royal Frost 3f (Princess Elli by Elliodor)Kenilworth 10 MR 67 Handicap (F&M) 1600m (13/01)

Winners Bred AbroadLeaves Of Grass (AUS) 4f Poet’s Voice - Promotional(AUS) (Al Maher) Kenilworth 2000m (05/01)

Ballad Of The Sea (AUS) 3c Teofilo - Sea Song(AUS) (Fasliyev) Kenilworth 1600m (05/01)

Agencefrancepresse (AUS) 4g Lope de Vega - Belle Bizarre(AUS) (Dauberval) Greyville 1600m (05/01)

Phelan Lucky (AUS) 3c Excelebration - Governing Spirit(NZ) (Deputy Governor) Kenilworth 1000m (06/01)

Effortless Reward (AUS) 4f Reward For Effort - Sharna Cabarna(AUS) (Dolphin Street) Scottsville 1000m (06/01)Cascapedia (IRE) 4 b f High Chaparral - janoubi(GB) (Dansili) Turffontein 1800m (07/01)

Sporting Post ABiLiTY RATinGS (AR) puts every horse in its place

Kenya - racing & relaxationJockey Deon Sampson will represent South African at the

annual jockey challenge held at ngong Racecourse in Kenya on Sunday 21 January.

The day is featured by the first classic of the season, the Britam Kenya Guineas.

In 2015 the jockey Club Of Kenya introduced the first Kenya International jockeys’ Challenge series, inviting two jockeys from Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe to compete against the locals. This was a major success and attracted some 7700 fans. Zimbabwe won the inaugural challenge

The beautiful country offers a host of side attractions to any-body considering travelling up for a unique day of racing.

Kenya Airways and South African Airlines fly to Nairobi twice daily.

Nairobi and surrounds offer superb accommodation at very reasonable rates

Mada Hotels have Camps and Hotels in Masai Mara with Hot air ballooning - notably Fig Tree Camp a most brilliant experi-ence and just outside Amboseli National Park special packages can be arranged viewing the famous Mt Kilimanjaro from the Kenya side on all game drives.

Likewise Southern Cross Safaris have two beautiful camps one just outside Amboseli Satao Eleria and the other Satao East in Tsa-vo East National Park a vist to these parks is a must whilst in Kenya

Lugard Falls are a series of short falls and steep rapids on the Galana River, where relatively harder rock has created a bottle-neck in the valley and impedes the river’s progress. Crocodile Point, where the big reptiles can often be seen basking in the sun, is just downstream from here. At some point on most Tsavo East safaris, you're almost bound to stop here to stretch your legs and takes photos.

Heritage Hotel Group offers a wide choice of safaris to Sam-buru National Park, Masai Mara, Kenya Coast Mombasa and Lamu as well as Tsavo West and for the Golf Crazy, the world famous Great Rift Valley Golf Resort in Naivasha

Samburu national reserve derives its name from the Sambu-ru people of Kenya who have lived in the area for many years.

The Uaso Nyiro River cuts through this reserve, drawing a big population of Kenya animals to the park. The river bustles with activity from its huge population of Nile crocodile.

The reserve's topography is mainly open savannah (grass-land) with clusters of acacia trees, forest, thorn trees and grassland vegetation. Samburu National Reserve was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and joy Adam-son raised Elsa the Lioness. Their story was made famous by the bestselling book and award-winning movie "Born Free".

Driftwood Beach club in Malindi offer special Deep sea Fishing rates.

Contact Tom Fraser for bookings - floriculture@africaonline.ke

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 29

MiSSED RECEnT RESuLTS? Click here for a quick link to the Sporting Post website

s P o r t s a N d B e t t I N G

Bitter rivals Real Madrid vs Barcelona | Sat 23 Dec | Santiago Bernabeu Stadium | 14:00

Real Madrid host their bitter rivals, Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in a crucial La Liga encounter this Saturday. Other than giving your fans a Christmas present by beating your enemy,

this match will have serious repercussions on Los Blancos’ title hopes. A win for Zinedine Zidane’s men would somewhat keep them in contention and a defeat would pretty much mean kissing their title hopes goodbye. The Catalans will be content with a draw away to the defending champions as it would keep them 11 points clear off them.

To catch up with Benedict ngwenya previews CLiCK HERE

To WinReal Madrid 21/20 Draw 29/10 Barcelona 43/20

Real MadRid The defending champions have started their La Liga season poorly which sees them occupying an unfamiliar fourth place, 11 points off the pace with a game in hand. A win would keep their title hopes alive while a defeat could extinguish them. Their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo has been phenomenal in the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup but his La Liga campaign which was marred by a five-game ban at the start of the season hasn’t been quite convincing. He’s only got four league goals to his name so far. Los Blancos will be buoyed by heading into this one off the back of a triumphant Club World Cup campaign which sealed a club record of five trophies in a calendar year for the club.

BaRcelonaBarcelona are riding the crest of the La Liga wave with zero defeats since the season started. Lionel Messi is unplayable this season, having found the back of the net on 14 occasions and assisted a further five strikes. It’s also interesting to note that the visitors have kept clean sheets in all their recent three league matches. Last week they were ruthless against Deportivo de La Coruna whom they thumped 4-0. In that match, Messi just couldn’t score, rattling the frame of the goal three times and having a penalty saved. The table toppers are expected to once again target La Liga’s all-time most sent off player, Sergio Ramos who has earned five red cards against them. Ramos, who can sometimes be erratic must be very careful against the likes of Luis Suarez and Messi who can take advantage of that with their diving and provocative antics.

PREDiCTiOn: Barcelona Win & Both Teams to Score (32/10)

just a reminder that anyone can enter the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate

Writer’s Contest, which closes on Friday 12 January 2018.

Content of between 1000 to 5000 words must relate to the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival, held in

january 2018 at Kenilworth racecourse.

The winner will enjoy a trip for two, including flights and accomodation to Glorious Goodwood in 2018, or to the

2019 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival.

Entries should be sent to writerscontest@sportingpost.co.za by no later than 12 january 2018.

All entries will be acknowledged. And of course, the judges’ decision is final.

SPORTING POST DIGEST • THURSDAY 11 jANUARY 2018 30

Doing The SplitsSplits for Greyville 29 July