Sands Of Time – December 1994

4 – 10 December

News from the Cape

Western Province Racing introduces sports betting in December, but a random on-course survey suggested that punter response to the new betting option was dismal. WP Racing official Chris Schlimper commented “It is true to say that initially the response has not been what we might have expected or hoped for, but it is also true that sports betting also took some time to get going in other countries. We are still in a learning curve and clearly some sports events lend themselves more easily to the gambling environment than others. It is those events, such as the Rugby World Cup, which we would expect to give sports betting in the country some momentum.”

Meanwhile, the Empress Casino Club at Kenilworth Racecourse stopped operating in December following a court ruling. The Western Province Racing Club was only the landlord and did benefit accordingly, but if casinos are legalised, it was suggested that it might be a better bet for the club to apply for the license itself next time round.

Cape trainer Mark Watters has his licence withdrawn after being placed on the Jockey Club list of defaulters. Watters was sequestrated in the Cape Supreme Court for debts amounting to more than R2 million. He was subsequently warned off after being found guilty of misleading an official and local executive stewards during a Jockey Club investigation into his finances as well as bringing the Jockey Club into disrepute.

TBA Troubles

News that the TBA’s debtors’ book had soared from R3 million in October 1992 to R9 million in October 1994, prompted the implementation of buyers having to apply for credit and pay a deposit equal to one-third of the amount of credit granted for the forthcoming National Yearling Sales. Action will be taken against those that fail to pay any monies owing within 60 days of sale.

Gauteng news

Amalgamation of the three Gauteng race clubs takes a step closer. The process nearly came to grief at the second-last hurdle when Newmarket stewards accepted a resolution that its club members might vote against amalgamation if a guarantee was not issued that none of the three courses would be closed for 10 years. No guarantee could be given, but the process was saved when stewards of all three tracks agreed that it would be written into the constitution of the new club that a course could only be closed if 75 percent of members voted in favour. The final hurdle lies in mid-March when club members will be put to the vote.

Turffontein racemeeting secretary, Grant Knowles is fined R1,000 for betting. Although his licence is cancelled, the penalty is suspended for five years.

Dave McGillivray, chairman of the Gauteng stipendiary board, cracks down on trainers taking liniments and suchlike into the security areas at racecourses. Jockey Club rules prohibit any substances being taken into the security areas and McGillivray warned that he intended to enforce the rule strictly after two trainers were found rubbing substances on their horses’ legs before races.

Going for Gold

In the 10 December Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup at Turffontein, Natal visitor Reach For The Star set off to an immediate lead and set a decent gallop from Commanche Chief, Stateway and Kiaat. Stateway had moved into second turning for home, but the Gold Cup winner was pegged back by his 58 kgs and began to lose ground half way down the straight. Reach For The Star still led into the final 300m, but Weichong Mawing now had 4yo Hobnob gelding Kiaat making ground. Kiaat took over with about a furlong remaining and held on well to beat a fast finishing On The Rostrum by half-a-length. Fantasy Warrior ran much to form in finishing third after having surprisingly been sent out favourite. This son of Complete Warrior had it all to do at the weights as he finished half-a-length behind Kiaat in the IGN Gold Bowl and now faced his younger rival on 2.5 kgs worse terms. Those who had done their homework must have been delighted with the 33/10 offered about Kiaat at the off. Kiaat (Hobnob-Sweet Thorn) was bred at Bosworth Farm Stud and sold for R30,000 at the 1992 National Yearling Sales. Trained by Mike Schuleman and ridden to victory by Weichong Mawing, Kiaat is owned by Mr D Wiid.

Off To War

The Gold Cup undercard attracted a top division field for a 1400m handicap. The 11 starters included SA Guineas winner Crimson Waves, Durban Merchants winner Prince Of War, Bloodline Million hero Royal Thunder and Sligo Bay, a smart sprinter finally trying the sort of distance which his pedigree suggests is right for him. Carrying 57kgs and ridden by Piere Strydom, Prince of War quickened nicely from well off the pace to win by more than a length for trainer Dean Maroun. This was a handy performance in a strongly run race on testing ground and confirmed the stamina shown when Prince of War finished an unlucky fifth in the 1600m Germiston November Handicap.

Crimson Waves could not have been at his best, as the son of Bush Telegraph was handicapped a certainty with 51.5 kgs if judged on his best form and could only finish 1.3 lengths back in 3rd. However, this was Crimson Waves’ second start since his bumpy passage to finish unplaced in June’s Gilbey’s Stakes at Scottsville and he is evidently being readied for the Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth on December 31st.

Leading The Flock

On the same afternoon, Shepherd’s Moon delivered a smooth win in the R150,000 Guardian National Fillies Guineas at Milnerton. The early pace was on the slow side as Stormy Hill, fighting for her head as she had also done in the canter past, showed the way from Shilly Shally and Our Embrace. Karl Neisius had the favourite racing some five or six lengths back in the bunch. A gale force headwind soon stopped the frontrunners in their tracks once straightened for home and it was Dahlia’s Legacy who took over approaching the last 200m. Shepherd’s Moon was still racing in the bunch, finding some shelter from the wind, but briefly looking as though she might have difficulty getting out. She had the right pilot for the job, however. A cool head is a vital part of any successful jockey’s makeup and Karl Neisius would not have panicked had he found himself alone on the blazing deck of the Achille Lauro. He angled Shepherd’s Moon around horses with some 150m left, and she simply moved up another gear. She sailed past Dahlia’s Legacy as if the latter was beneath contempt and pulled up 2.5 lengths clear of the New Zealand import. A pair of 25/1 outsiders in Carrier Princess and Lady Celeste filled the minor places, which to some observers may cast doubt on the value of the form. Still, Shepherd’s Moon could do no more than beat them silly and the Cape’s favourite filly now has a crack at the colts in the Guineas on January 7th in her sights.

11 – 18 December

In The Purple

Michael Roberts’ annual summer holiday in South Africa gives us a taste of the skill which took him to the pinnacle of his profession, when he wins the 16 December Province Of KwaZulu-Natal Stakes at Scottsville. Few horses win over 1200m at Scottsville by racing up front all the way, this being one of the stiffest sprint courses imaginable. Winning Purple, however, was handy all the way and went to the wire with nearly one length to spare. In the process, the mare credited trainer Pat Riley with his first Feature race success and Michael Roberts’ second in the four year history of the race. He won the inaugural running aboard Melting.

December 1994 also saw the release of his autobiography, ‘Michael Roberts – A Champion’s Story’ in South Africa.

Wreford Wrecks Havoc

Wreford has been knocking on the door for some time now and the son of Free State proved his mettle in the Gr3 Abe Bloomberg Handicap at Milnerton on 17 December. A good pace and being placed a little closer to the action than usual, ensured a good match between Speed Cat and Wreford up the straight. It was clear 200m out that the Abe Bloomberg was a match between this pair, but Wreford was always going the better and strode away close home to put 1.25 lengths between himself and Speed Cat. The Abe Bloomberg marked the fifth win in 23 starts for Wreford, who was sold for a reported R25 000 soon after finishing unplaced in Comareen’s Cape Derby last February.

Rust Buster

Some eyebrows hit the roof when Rusty Pelican was allowed to contest the Rothmans July without having won anything bigger than a graduation plate. To take this view was to overlook the fact that the son of Coastal had already shown himself to be one of the best of his generation. He failed to place in the Rothmans, but subsequently set about proving his detractors wrong in no uncertain fashion.

Russel Laird’s colt posted his third Stakes success of the season when winning Milnerton’s Gr2 Premium Stakes over 1800m on 17 December. Vesta looked the proverbial good thing under 52.5 kgs if finally back to her best, but not everyone was convinced that a narrow defeat of Changing Roles and Singing Oak in an ordinary top division handicap seven weeks earlier really heralded the five-year-old’s return to top form. Unfortunately, this view proved correct when Vesta failed to produce her customary late dash, mare eventually finishing out of the money, and one must wonder if she hasn’t had her day. Rusty Pelican, on the other hand, proved equal to the expectations of his supporters.

Anton Marcus had him about six lengths back as Hainan Dao set a useful pace from Rhode Island, Fair Model and Too Bold. Sleek Machine moved around horses to be in touch with the leaders turning for home and half way down the straight was fighting it out with Rhode Island as Hainan Dao began to fade. The challengers were now coming thick and fast, however, and right at the forefront of the chasing pack was Rusty Pelican. The Gauteng visitor joined issue inside the last 150m and ran on strongly to win by 1.5 lengths from Laurasian Express. Fire Arch was only a short head further back third and this was an excellent performance by the Natal Derby winner, who was was having his first start since joining the Noordhoek stables of trainer Mike Stewart and must come in the J&B Met picture after this performance.

Clearly, Rusty Pelican needs to be taken seriously as a Met prospect. The retirement of several older stars hadn’t left a great deal to contest the rich all-aged events of the next few months and Rusty Pelican is at least as good a middle distance performer aged four years and over as we have at present.

19 – 26 December

More Aussie Magic

Trainer Chris Snaith’s four-year-old mare Outstanding Star has been a model of consistency and was sent out 8/10 favourite against her rivals in the Gr2 Majorca Stakes on 21 December. Divine Fashion set a brisk pace from On The Ramp, Grass Dancer and Gushing, with the favourite held up in midfield, but the picture soon took on a different hue in the straight. Divine Fashion just hasn’t been the same horse since returning from a successful Natal season and bailed out with little fight, allowing Dahlia’s Legacy to take over approaching the last 200m. However, Outstanding Star was making up ground at a rare old rate along the far rail. She burst past Dahlia’s Legacy with about 100m left and went on to win by a length, with Selborne Park shading Dawn Of High for third place. Selborne Park had to survive an objection before that result was confirmed, however.

Outstanding Star’s next mission will be the Queen’s Plate over the same course and distance on December 31st. Her chances in a wide open race will need to be respected even if she will be facing male rivals for the first time since appearing not to stay the distance in the Daily News 2000 at Greyville last June. Outstanding Star was ridden in the Majorca Stakes by regular pilot Karl Neisius, and what a summer this is proving to be for the talented jockey.

Get Wise

The field for the 21 December Gr3 Premier Wire Homberg Stakes over 1400m at Kenilworth included none of the leading classic contenders and it appeared highly unlikely that it would produce the winner of the forthcoming Argus Guineas. Nevertheless, the aspirations of Homberg Stakes winner Wise King should not be too lightly dismissed.

Trudie Houareau’s charge went into the Homberg Stakes with an almost flawless career record of three wins and a short head second from four lifetime starts. Wise King simply blitzed past a tiring Russian Bond with about 200m left to go to come home four lengths clear of Trojan Hero, with Abie Cee and a slow starting Centenarian in the minor places. Wise King was a R55 000 acquisition at the 1993 Cape Yearling Sale and already has earnings of R77 710 to his credit.

Diamond Sceptre

Australian import Discover Diamonds confirmed her status as one of the best sprinting fillies around when she put up a smart performance to win Kenilworth’s 1000m Gr2 Varsfontein Sceptre Stakes on Boxing Day.

Sixteen faced the starter, and in the absence of any obvious stars the race had an open look about it. Herman Brown’s filly invariably races from some way off the pace and jockey Doug Whyte had her a good few lengths back as Midgear breezed along clear of Cocobamba and sole three-year-old Sugar Cube Baby in the final stages and ran on to win narrowly but decisively, with the consistent Hot Favourite getting up to shade Cocobamba out of third place.

Discover Diamonds is a result of the South African buying spree at the 1992 Sydney Easter Yearling Sales, where she was knocked down to the late John Liley for Aus $75 000. That was the approximate equivalent of a healthy R165 000 even before transport and other sundry costs are taken into account, but she was worth it. Discover Diamonds has now won seven of her 19 starts for purses of R240 395 and will eventually take a strong and impressive pedigree with her to stud.

The Festival Season

Dance Festival reinforced his J&B Met aspirations with a good win in the 26 December Gr3 Natalia Christmas Handicap. The 1600m of the Christmas Handicap might have been considered short of the Gr2 John Skeaping winner’s best, but he was fitted with blinkers in a bid to sharpen him up. That, and a strong early pace set by Solar Treasure from a field which contained numerous frontrunners, certainly did the trick for Dance Festival. The five-year-old quickened nicely in the straight, taking command from 1993 Christmas Handicap winner Cape Saffron at the 200m mark and going on to win by two lengths. The fast early pace and a strong following wind in the straight saw Dance Festival lower the course record established by Sledgehammer two decades ago. Easily the most successful horse trained in a short career by Summerveld conditioner Steve Benton, Dance Festival has won eight of his 27 starts and picked up earnings of R320 630.

27 – 2 January

Red Tide

It is worth repeating that the hardest horse to beat is the frontrunner who doesn’t stop. When that frontrunner is one of the best horses in the race anyway, then the mountain that his rivals must climb becomes almost impossibly steep. Such is the tale of the 31 December Queen’s Plate, a race for which jockey Rhys van Wyk deserves a mention for one of the season’s cleverest rides. He took Crimson Waves into an almost immediate lead in order to overcome a very wide draw, and went on to set a pace which was distinctly slow for a race of this stature. He turned for home about three lengths clear, still travelling well within himself, and lo and behold there he stayed. The approach adopted by the opposition might have been dangerous were Crimson Waves some sort of optimistic entry; given that Alec Laird’s colt won the SA Guineas last May, he was as good as home and rubbed down at the top of the Kenilworth stretch.

Complete Lee and Heartwood were nearest to Crimson Waves turning for home in the 1600m Queen’s Plate, but neither is good enough to take on the best milers at Weight For Age and they soon began to lose touch. Only Prince Of War and maestro Michael Roberts seemed to sense what was about to happen and gave chase after the leader, but Prince Of War began to shift away from the whip over the last 150m and nearly clobbered the inside rail close home. It seems that this son of Plugged Nickle is at his best over distances up to 1400m, and when his effort lost momentum only a bolt of lightning stood between Crimson Waves and the winner’s enclosure. Prince Of War held on well to finish second, thus making it a one-two finish for Gauteng raiders who, according to popular legend, are supposed to be at a disadvantage when racing in Cape Town! Secret Rites ran on well for third and so reached the frame in a major Feature event for the millionth time, while Eldoriza came from far back to finish fourth. There wasn’t a Cape-trained horse in the first four, and certainly none who threatened to topple I’m Taking It from his perch as the last home-trained winner of Cape Town’s premier all-aged 1600m event.

Hopes that Take A Walk would join a very select few such as Politician and Wolf Power who have won the Queen’s Plate twice were soon dashed. The Kiwi import looked rather listless on parade and never showed in the race itself, where he yet again was not ridden in the way (handy throughout) which landed him the honours twelve months earlier.

Crimson Waves is by Bush Telegraph and there is a touch of irony in that. It was the Queen’s Plate seven years earlier which ended Bush Telegraph’s track career when the first signs emerged of the heart trouble which would eventually claim the Jungle Cove stallion’s life at the tender age of eight. Crimson Waves is entered also for the J&B Met on January 28th. The four-year-old has yet to race beyond 1600m, but must have every chance of staying the extra as his sire did win the 2200m Rothmans July in what was then track record time.

Winning comeback

Waitara made a splendid return to the track when successful in a 1600m top division handicap at Turffontein on 31 December, conceding fellow Met entry Imperial Despatch two kgs and beating him by a length.

Waitara suffered a tendon injury soon after going down by a short head to Pas De Quoi in the J&B Met last year and Saturday’s race was his first since. Waitara looks nicely weighted in the Met, where he is due to face Imperial Despatch on 3.5 kgs better terms, and trainer Tony Millard clearly has more than Surfing Home to carry his hopes of a second Met triumph within three seasons.

Ring the Changes

Long serving Gosforth Park chief executive Wally Segal retired from duties at the end of December and Gosforth Park also saw the resignation of marketing manager Debbie Seegers.