Sands of Time – August 1995

2-8 August

 

Gold Cup Saturday

Saturday, 5 August was Gold Cup Saturday at Greyville. KwaZulu-Natal Derby winner Tickets And Tax, 1994 Gold Cup runner-up Surfing Home, and proven Gauteng stayer Classic Hero were the popular choices to win the two mile slog around Greyville. Unfortunately, the Gold Cup’s reputation as a punters’ graveyard seems to have resurfaced after a spell of well supported winners.

Up popped David Payne’s Milleverof, an unconsidered outsider on the day, but a horse whose past form behind the likes of Dancing Duel and Eli’s Truth to name only two suggested that the ability at least existed to win something valuable. That something proved to be South Africa’s oldest established marathon event, now in its 75th year, and worth a handsome R312 500 to the winner.

Classic Hero was the long-time leader and the slow pace saw the field bunched into a tightly knit group as they swung for home. Race favourite Tickets And Tax circled the field on the turn, racing wide into the straight and opening up a sizeable gap by the time he crossed the subway. Glen Hatt had Milleverof sitting well off the leaders turning for home and his patience was rewarded in the best possible way. Tickets and Tax simply ran out of steam as the Payne duo of Milleverof and White Tie Affair closed in over the last 150m, with Milleverof finishing the better to win by three-parts of a length. Tickets And Tax was a game second ahead of White Tie Affair, with Surfing Home back in fourth after never threatening to get any closer. The race finished on a low note, when Mike Bass’ faithful old servant Ravenous fractured a leg in the final stages.

The Honourable Casey

After Somerset Stud’s 1-2 in the Rothmans July, Alan Sutherland’s run of success as a breeder continued unabated as Casey’s Honour made all the running to win the 1000m Stewards Cup and this was one Feature race that ended the way most punters hoped.

Vox Unpopuli

Rounding off a frustrating day for punters, the Summerveld Stakes produced another surprise when 20/1 chance Vox Populi made off with the honours. Racing handy throughout, Vox Populi was challenged in the home stretch, but fought on gamely in the hands of substitute rider Johnny Geroudis to have 1.75 lengths to spare at the post.

Goodwill to Goodwill

In something of a PR coup, Summerhill’s Mick Goss presented the king of the Zulu Nation, King Goodwill Zwelithini, with a birthday gift of his first ever racehorse, complete with a set of royal silks. The grey filly, named Kiss Me Once, is by Harry Hotspur out of a strong Aga Khan family and bred at Summerhill Stud. She is to be trained by Gauteng trainer Patrick Shaw.

Ecurie dead

Litchfield Stud has reported the loss of multiple Gr1-winning racemare, Ecurie, to laminitis, after the mare had aborted her Damascus Gate foal some weeks earlier.

Ecurie, trained by Millard, was one of the best fillies of her generation. Born in the same year as Model Man and Potomac – and competing against them with distinction – she was Champion 2yo, and the victress of races including the Allan Robertson, Majorca Stakes, Cape Fillies Guineas and Garden Province Stakes.

’95 Cape Racing & Breeding Awards

Cape Owners and Breeders honoured their respective champions at a black tie affair on Tuesday, 8 August. Awards were split into two segments, those for owners, and those for breeders. In the owners’ category, it was a requirement that the horse raced in the Cape during the season.

Owner of the Year
Mrs Norma Marsh, owner of Cape Derby winner Western Rocket, and part—owner of Bushmanland, winner of the Cape Guineas.

Owner of the Horse of the Year
Sir Robert Bellinger, owner of Flobayou

Breeder of the Horse of the Year
Wilfred and John Koster (breeding as Koster Bros) for National Emblem

Trainer of the Year
James Lightheart, who trains Bushmanland (Cape Guineas) and Western Rocket (Cape Derby)

Jockey of the Year
Karl Neisius, who rode a host of (feature) winners for a variety of trainers

Owner of Juvenile Colt of the Year
Jack Winshaw for his homebred Cape Nursery winner Ashtontown, unbeaten in 4 starts.

Breeder of the Juvenile Colt of the Year
Antony Beck of Highlands Farms for Smirnoff Futurity winner Gold Flier

Owner of the Juvenile Filly of the Year
The Serendipity Syndicate, nominee Myra Gorton (whose daughter Katherine bred the filly) for Lady Of Cadiz, unbeaten in four starts

Breeder of the Juvenile Filly of the Year
Antony Beck of Highlands Farms for SA Nursery and Allan Robertson winner Harry’s Charm

Owner of the 3yo Colt of the Year
Piet Burger and Norma Marsh for Cape Guineas winner and multiple Gr1 placed Bushmanland

Breeder of the 3yo Colt of the Year
Wilfrid and John Koster (Koster Bros) for National Emblem

Owner of the 3yo Filly of the Year
Breeder of the 3yo Filly of the Year
Both awards for the performances of Shepherd’s Moon, owned by Sylvia Plattner, and bred by Ralph and Val Rixon, with Guy and Michelle Rixon (who sold the filly to Mrs Plattner during the season)

Stallion of the Year
Elliodor – leading active Cape sire by Stakes won, standing at Ingrid Pfaff’s Daytona Stud

Broodmare of the Year
Goldenflo – dam of Flobayou, bred by George and Philip Kahan at The Alchemy

There were several interesting links between the winners. Golden Thatch sired Lady Of Cadiz and Gold Flier, as well as the dam of Ashtontown. Lady of Cadiz and Ashtontown were both bred and raised at Litchfield Stud, managed by Geoff and Katherine Winshaw. Geoff is the son of Ashtontown’s owner/breeder Jack Winshaw, Katherine is the breeder of Lady Of Cadiz. Harry’s Charm and Gold Flier both came from Highlands, where Golden Thatch stood until his death earlier this year.

9-15 August

 

Time To Celebrate

Mr and Mrs Graham Beck had the rare pleasure of having two Feature race winners on Wednesday, 9 August when Festive Forever captured the Gr2 Natalia Stakes at Greyville and Beryl Marquard did her bit in the Listed Fillies And Mares Stakes at Turffontein.

Festive Forever ran her field ragged in the 2000m Natalia Stakes, hitting the front soon after crossing the subway and never looked in any danger of defeat after that. The ever consistent Carrier Princess was left to run on for second ahead of Festive Forever’s stable companion Birthday Belle in a race that could so nearly ended up in tragedy. Jockey Robbie Fradd took a crashing fall when his mount clipped the heels of Festive Forever 200m from home, and fell heavily. Bravo Juliet much have rolled three times, but somehow Fraud managed to keep out of her way and can probably consider himself very fortunate to escape with a broken collar-bone.

The 33/1 Beryl Marquard produced a storming finish to snatch a narrow victory in the last strides of the 1200m Weight For Age Feature, notching the day’s second feature win for her owner in the 1200m WFA event.  In fact, Wednesday’s Turffontein meeting was in fact a remarkable one all round. Not only did Gary Alexander and Piere Stardom destroy their opponents almost at will, winning 6 of the day’s 9 carded races, but Elliodor climbed onto the bandwagon as well. He had five of his sons and daughters in action: four of them (including the unbeaten pair of Misty Dancing and Flying Promise) won, the other (Star Award) finished second behind her paternal half sister Beryl Marquard. Could that be some kind of record for arguably the most influential sire left alive in South Africa today?

Double Trouble

Owner/trainer Dr Louis Naude celebrated a rather unique feat on 12 August when his charge Kamma Wagga racked up what can charitably be rated one of the most unlikely Feature doubles in recent memory. After becoming an unlikely winner of the thrice-postponed Ladies Mile on 8 August, she stepped out again on 12 August for the Olympic Duel Stakes over 1200m, flying from the clouds to collar long-time leader Noble Fortune in the final stages to win by a neck. And with 59kg on her back!

Non Stop Action

After a frustrating month, Counter Action put the smile right back on Mike Bass’s face when he captured the Champion Stakes at Greyville on 13 August. Stable companion Rhode Island took his cue and led the way from Zelator, with Counter Action a comfortable third and a couple of lengths ahead of the main bunch. Eldoriza, as always raced near the back and was still there when heads turned for home. Counter Action immediately made his move in the straight with La Fabulous throwing down a strong challenge on the outside as Eldoriza began to gain ground under what looked a very comfortable ride. It briefly looked as if Counter Action might have to settle for a place once more, but La Fabulous could never quite master him and Eldoriza didn’t suddenly take off when his rider got down to serious business. Eldoriza was still half a length adrift of Counter Action at the line, with La Fabulous a neck back third and Fire Arch a well beaten fourth.

Controversy Awards

The 1995 ARCSA Awards were held on 15 August and caused no small amount of controversy when the selection panel’s complicated points system saw Tony Millard’s charge Surfing Home walking off with no less than three Awards. Taban was named Champion Sprinter for the 3rd successive year, although he had to share the trophy with Flobayou, and the Champion Trainer title was also shared between Tony Millard and Patrick Shaw. The full results are listed below:-

Racing Awards

Champion 2yo Female – Harry’s Charm
Champion 2yo Male – Gold Flier
Champion 3yo Female – Dancing Danzig
Champion 3yo Male – Teal
Champion Older Female – Tracy’s Element
Champion Older Male – Surfing Home
Champion Sprinter – Taban (3rd year running)/ Flobayou
Champion Stayer – Surfing Home
Horse of the Year – Surfing Home
Champion Jockey – Jeff Lloyd
Champion Trainer – Tony Millard / Pat Shaw

Breeding Awards (decided by the TBA)

Outstanding Broodmare – Goldenflo (dam of Flobayou, Foverflo, Royal Flo and Supreme Royal)
Outstanding Stallion – Foveros
Outstanding Breeder – Somerset Stud

16 – 22 August

 

Flo On By

ARCSA’s shared Champion Sprinter Awards allowed the media to hype the 19 August 1200m Mercury Sprint at Clairwood Park as a race to decide just who is the best sprinter in training. Bookmakers took a similar view, and priced up the Gr1 Weight For Age event as something of a match race. You could get a double figure quotation about any of the other ten runners, and the result underlined the complete superiority of the ‘big two’.

Flobayou as always, raced a couple of lengths off the leaders as Taban disputed the early lead with Syrian Blue and Casey’s Honour. Taban held a clear lead approaching the last 200m, but could not prevent the inevitable. Eric Sands’ charge sped on by over the last 100m and there was the best part of two lengths between them at the post. Bold Thatch put up a smashing effort to finish third.

The Mercury Sprint was the second Gr1 success of Flobayou’s career (after the Cape Flying Championship at Milnerton last January), and it marked his tenth win from only 13 lifetime starts overall. The five-year-old inmate of Eric Sands’ stable, owned by former Lord Mayor of London, Sir Robert Bellinger, will doubtless now be rested for an assault on the principal sprints of the Cape season – the Diadem Stakes, the Merchants, and the Flying Championship. Flobayou achieved the remarkable feat of winning the lot as a four-year-old, something we cannot recall being accomplished before. Who knows, he might just do it again.

The Great Escape

Getaway may not be remembered as one of the great Feature race winners of the season, but she could very well prove to have been the most aptly named.

She was the only three-year-old in a field of 16 fillies and mares in the Final Fling Stakes over 1800m at Milnerton on 19 August. The Weight For Age conditions of the race meant that Getaway came in with 48 kgs, either 11 kgs or 9 kgs less than the other competitors and apprentice Piet Botha did the only thing that could reasonably be expected in the circumstances. Getaway stole a march completely, having opened up a 6 length lead by the turn and sticking to her task as the pack chased shadows behind her. Tiring towards, the finish, she always had the race safe and held off better fancied stable companion Noble Prophet by a diminishing half length. Masai Mara ran on well to cut Persuasive Reason out of third in the dying strides, but it was all much too late to genuinely trouble James Lightheart’s charge in any way.

Highlands Makes Hay

Champion breeders Highlands’ horses sold like hotcakes at the National 2yo sale, held on 20 & 21 August. They consigned the top priced lot, a full brother to Tommy Hotspur who sold for R200,000 to Michael Azzie. Harry Hotspur was responsible for five of the ten highest priced lots.

Litchfield Stud, who belatedly decided to sell the colts off their ’93 crop, also had an outstanding sale. Their Foveros colt was the third highest priced lot at R150,000 and they had the highest sale average. The highest priced colt of the sale was lot 372 – Hot Blues (Harry Hotspur – Tabitha Twitchet) who went under the hammer for R200,000. The highest priced filly was lot 118 – Snow Bunting (Badger Land – Flying Snowdrop), who sold for R100,000

23 – 29 August

 

Ballroom Blitz

The three-year-old filly Dance Every Dance put up an impressive display to win the Golden Slipper over 1600m at Clairwood Park on 24 August. Cantering to post a red-hot favourite, Michael Airey’s filly made no mistakes. Jockey Glen Hatt had her racing in midfield as Hail To Rule set the pace from Beat The Breeze and Julia Dancing, but Dance Every Dance was always moving as if on roller-skates. She simply cruised alongside Hail To Rule inside the last 300m, and drew away with little effort to beat the former Port Elizabeth campaigner with a ton in hand. Last-start maiden winner Hyperdrive finished third, a fair effort considering she had only raced twice previously in her life, but the Golden Slipper was never a race once the favourite made her move.

KZN Breeders Awards

Natal Breeders held their annual awards ceremony at the Rawdons Hotel in Nottingham Road, on Friday, 25 August. Natal Breeders voted 3yo Rothmans July winner Teal their Horse of the Year, his dam Northern Banner the Broodmare of the Year, his sire Foveros Stallion of the Year and his breeder Somerset Stud was Breeder of the Year.

The full list of awards is as follows:-

Champion 2yo Filly
Dance Every Dance (Rondebosch Farms)

Champion 2yo Colt
What A Prospect (Rondebosch Farms)

Champion 3yo Filly
Yashnaya (Mrs KAP Landon)

Champion 3yo Colt
Teal (Somerset Stud)

Champion Older Female
Rose Of Arcole (Scott Bros)

Champion Older Male
Taban (SL Smuts)

Champion Sprinter
Taban (SL Smuts)

Champion Stayer
Barrellen (Somerset Stud)

Broodmare of the Year
Northern Banner (Scott Bros & Somerset Stud)

Stallion of the Year
Foveros (Scott Bros; stallion dead)

Stallion Prospect
Gallic League (Somerset Stud)

Horse of the Year
Taban (Somerset Stud)

Off To A Good Start

Having taken his leave from the Cape at the end of the 1994/95 season, David Ferraris sent out his first Gauteng runners at Turffontein on 26 August. He opened his account with panache in the day’s feature, the Listed Nomads Handicap, when Storm Champ collared Caldoone only strides from the post to win by a neck. A better start to his new trainer could not have wished for. Storm Champ is, appropriately enough, owned by the Ferraris stable’s principal patron Paddy Hinton.

This One’s For Real

The Premier’s Gold Vase on 26 August yet again proved to be the sting in the tail of the Natal winter season. This 2400m handicap at Clairwood Park has often produced a surprise result, and nothing much changed this year when Paul Denysschen’s 20/1 outsider Fantasy Warrior took the honours and the R125,000 first prize.

Jockey Gerhard Viljoen kept Fantasy Warrior within striking distance of the leaders, and when the front-runners started tiring, sent the six-year-old about his business. He took a narrow lead coming to the 400m pole, and that probably won him the race. Favourite Festive Forever, who had had traffic problems in the early part of the race, threw down a bid along the inside rail, with Elete Fov making strong headway from a mile off the pace, but Fantasy Warrior had slipped the lot of them. There was never any real prospect that he would be caught, and he had a very comfortable 1.25 lengths to spare over Festive Forever at the post. It probably was the sort of race you could run ten times and get eleven different results, but on the day an enterprising piece of jockeyship from one of the most promising young riders in the game made all the difference. Sadly, though, Natal racegoers will now be seeing less of Gerhard Viljoen as he is to take up a position with the Mike Riley stable in Gauteng and only be available locally for midweek meetings.

Range Rider

The day’s other feature was another interesting prospect and it’s a feather in the cap of the KZN breeders when the 1600m KZN Breeder Championship, a race restricted to three-year-olds bred in the province, could boast Gr1 winner What A Prospect, Gr2 winner Irish Ranger, and Gr2 runner-up Presidential Suite amongst the 13 starters.

What A Prospect was quick to hit the front as early leaders Appollo Bay and Jellimans Kloof faded in the straight, and backers of Cyril Naidoo’s colt had every reason to feel confident. What A Prospect had a healthy lead coming to the last 200m, but that all changed when Mike de Kock’s Irish Ranger unleashed a finishing effort that nothing could live with. He blazed past What A Prospect to win by a widening three-quarters of a length, no mean feat considering that What A Prospect was considered unlucky by many pundits not to win the ARCSA Champion juvenile colt award for last season!