SP Sprint – Wednesday 28 January 2026

IN SIGHT! 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026?

OF STYLE A SYMPHONY

is upon us

Snaith aims at histor

One Stripe makes us proud

On the cover

Six-times SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith bids for an historic fourth consecutive WSB Cape Town Met title on Saturday. Read more on page 30.

Candiese Lenferna took the photograph

Issue: 04/2026

OODLES OF QUALITY –ON A MONSTER CARD FOR MET DAY

We are just days away from the 164th renewal of the R5 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met and the excitement is building – even though some feel that 11 runners suggests a lack of buzz, and 20 horses would make the big race more attractive.

Looking back at the recent past, there were 11 runners in the Cape Town Met in 2022 and 2024, and again this coming Saturday.

As a weight-for-age, 2000m championship, the race is designed to showcase the very best. This is one contest where quality

matters far more than quantity. Adding extra, potentially below-par runners would not enhance the spectacle or the integrity of the race.

Looking at the current field, it’s difficult to identify any proven older WFA 2000m performers who are missing. The line-up this year is exceptionally strong.

It’s also no surprise that owners and trainers avoid this race with lower-rated horses that would be severely punished under weight-forage terms if they ran within a few lengths of the winner.

Racehorse ownership is an extremely costly hobby, and it is understandable that connections may choose a softer route to secure stake money, rather than expose their horses to the, sometimes, unsympathetic handicapper.

It’s also worth noting that the national horse population has declined by more than 50% over the past decade, which makes it all the more encouraging that we still have eleven runners.

Turf Talk suggested recently that the purists of the South African racing population would not have been disappointed at all by the WSB Met field after close scrutiny.

Firstly, what would be the point of having nine more horses that had no chance? Secondly, we need a Gr1 WFA race over 2000m, because the biggest races in Johannesburg and Durban are currently both handicaps i.e. the Betway Gr1 Summer Cup and the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.

Cape Town can brag they have the major race that the best horse wins, because that is not the case with the biggest race in the country, the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Last year Eight On Eighteen was beaten 0,25 lengths by The Real Prince in the July, but in fact he was the better horse because he was facing the latter on 2,5kg worse terms than weight for age. He now gets the opportunity to prove his superiority on weight for age terms.

However, the connections of The Real Prince will point out that his L’Ormarins King’s Plate victory proved that he had blossomed and was now at his peak. They will be confident of proving the Eight On Eighteen fans wrong.

Gladatorian’s connections will point out they have already beaten The Real Prince on WFA terms in the World Pool Gr1 Champions Cup. They could claim he is the best WFA middle distance horse in the land.

The Sail The Sea fans might nod in acknowledgement, but they would then point out that Sail The Seas finished just 1,50 lengths behind Eight On Eighteen in the Splashout Cape Derby and therefore performed better than The Real Prince did in the July. They might thus claim Sail The Seas is ready to assume the mantle, because, after all, he did beat Eight On Eighteen in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas at level weights and now, being more mature, he is ready to take him on over 2000m.

The See It Again fans will point out he won the Cape Derby and the Daily News 2000 as a three-year-old and, like Eight On Eighteen, he also lost the July by just 0,25 lengths … but not because he was 2,5kg worse off than weight for age with the winner, but he in fact was a whopping 5,5kg worse off than weightfor-age terms with the winner Winchester Mansion.

And See It Again has arrived in Cape Town fresher than he has ever been in recent times. He has turned the corner! His L’Ormarins King’s Plate run proved just what form he is in at present and for the first time he looks to be in a position to produce his best in the WSB Met.

The Garrix fans are sitting quietly on the sidelines listening to these debates and would be thinking, “They have not seen the best of our boy yet.” The son of Vercingetorix only just failed to land the winter triple crown and has always been spoken of as a horse who will come into his own as a four-year-old.

The Cosmic Speed fans could also be confident that their Gr1 weight-for-age miler could see out the trip if switched off from pole position, and he could be ready to pick up the pieces if the chief protagonists outbattle each other. And his jockey Gavin Lerena will still be on a high after his flying ‘nearly nearly’ finish on One Stripe last Saturday evening at Gulfstream Park.

The Legal Counsel fans will have seen something not many others noticed i.e. he went the same speed as the favourite Jan Van Goyen had gone in the running of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, which was later shown in the sectional timing to be way too fast, and yet he stayed on bravely right until the end and was only beaten 4,45 lengths, finishing 4,85 lengths clear of Jan Van Goyen and just a neck behind Eight On Eighteen. He is undoubtedly the dark horse of the race, because he has won over 1800m before and how much better will he be if ridden more conservatively?

The Okavango fans would likely acknowledge he has it all to do on Daily News 2000 and July form, but his easy win in the Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy might have heralded a new dawn.

The Native Ruler fan club will point out he might also have it all to do on the form of the Daily News 2000 and the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but he was a touch unlucky in the July when running a cracking sixth from the widest draw of all, and they would add a line could be drawn through his last run.

The fans of The Equator will be hoping the best has not yet been seen of him and might envisage him having a chance if he sets a relentless gallop and stays on.

It is all set to be a great race.

The only possible horses missing, abilitywise, would be Fire Attack and Royal Victory,

but the former is under a cloud having finished last in his recent two races, while Royal Victory might now be past his best.

A promising three-year-old or two in the mix could have been interesting, but realistically the form of this year’s crop has not stood up and it is understandable that trainers would rather target the Splashout Gr1 Cape Derby and its build-up race, the Gr 3 HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes, which is run on Saturday’s card.

The last three horses mentioned in the analysis, Okavango, Native Ruler and The Equator, could fall under the category of ‘got a ticket, got a chance.’

Any more than three of such runners in the field and it starts to be a negative on the race, because in a championship event we want as few hard-luck stories as possible.

At the home of racing, the UK, their biggest WFA championship race, the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, has had a biggest field this decade of ten runners. Nobody complains about the field size, because the racing population in England have a deep knowledge and appreciation of the sport.

On Sunday at Sha Tin we saw two amazing Gr1 races – one with 9 runners and the other with just 7 runners. The races were worth the equivalent of R26 million each!

The world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising forged into Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling 17th straight win, beating 8 opponents in the HK$13 million Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup. Romantic Warrior registered his 12th Grade 1 victory when he vanquished 6 opponents to claim a first victory in the HK$13 million Gr1 Stewards’ Cup and launched his bid for the Triple Crown in scintillating style. Nobody complained!

But back to Saturday’s card – at this stage we have 154 runners across 12 races on the day — averaging 12,83 runners per race.

The Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes alone has attracted a full field of 14.

It’s a monster card by any measure and gets underway at 11h50. Let’s enjoy it!

A LAST CHANCE TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!

The World Sports Betting Cape Town Met day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is the highlight of the Race Coast Cape Summer Festival of Racing, and hosts a twelve-race programme, with races 3 to 12 qualifying as World Pool events.

WSB Cape Town Met Day carryovers:

• Race 4 @ 13:35 – Pick 6 Carryover R1 000 000. Likely Pool R7 000 000.

• Race 8 @ 16:05 – Quartet Carryover R500 000. Likely Pool R2 000 000.

• Race 9 @ 16:45 – Jackpot 3 Carryover R500 000. Likely Pool R2 000 000.

Attend the racing event of the year! The World Sports Betting Cape Town Met is bringing you a Symphony of Style - a seamless blend of style, spectacle, and sensory indulgence where fashion meets horse racing in dramatic spectacle.

Don’t miss your last chance to secure your spot with your General Access ticket.

Each tickets includes:

• Entrance to the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met

• Access to bars (cashless system)

• Access to Totes

• Access to food trucks

• Unreserved picnic benches and grandstand seating

• Access to the official after party

Tickets are R200 per person.

Click here for more - Computicket

Cosmic Speed

SC/DR – 01 WGT – 59,5 MR - 124

Trainer – Sean Tarry

Jockey – Gavin Lerena

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, this 4yo gelding by Querari ex Cosmic Dream (Silvano) is owned by Mrs H Kuhn, Mr Krishen Naidoo & The Hon Mr Justice G N Kruger

2

Eight On Eighteen

SC/DR – 02

Trainer – Justin Snaith

WGT – 59,5

Jockey – Richard Fourie

MR - 129

Owned by Messrs N Jonsson & J P Rupert, this Drakenstein-bred 4yo colt is by Lancaster Bomber out of the Captain Al mare, Sempre Libre

3

Sail The Seas

SC/DR – 03 WGT – 59,5 MR - 127

Trainer – Justin Snaith

Jockey – Muzi Yeni

This 4yo colt by Vercingetorix ex Sail (Philanthropist) is bred by Drakenstein Stud and owned by Mr D D MacLean, Countess S Labia & Kalinga

Gladatorian

SC/DR – 04

Trainer – Stuart Ferrie

WGT – 60

MR - 127

Jockey – Sean Veale

Bred by Erasmus Thoroughbreds, this 6yo Vercingetorix gelding is out of Dynasty’s Harvard Crimson and owned by Messrs Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy & M J L Nairac

Garrix

SC/DR – 05

WGT – 59,5 MR - 123

Trainer – Piet / Elbert Steyn

Jockey – Keagan de Melo

Owned by Messrs T Gujadhur, R M Sewgoolam & Wernars Family, this Jagessar Limited-bred 4yo gelding is by Vercingetorix ex Makiwara (Smart Strike)

The Real Prince

SC/DR – 06

WGT – 60

Trainer – Dean Kannemeyer

Jockey – Craig Zackey

MR - 128

Owned and bred by Khaya Stables, this 5yo gelding is by Gimmethegreenlight out of the Trippi mare, Real Princess

Legal Counsel

SC/DR – 07 WGT – 59,5 MR - 116

Trainer – Justin Snaith

Jockey – Aldo Domeyer A 4yo gelding by Legislate ex Imperial Wish (Silvano), bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and owned by Messrs J I Bloch, E A Braun & A C P Cotterell, Mr & Mrs C R Stonebridge

8

Native Ruler

SC/DR – 08 WGT – 59,5 MR - 119

Trainer – Justin Snaith

Jockey – Juan Paul v’d Merwe

Owned by Greg & Gina Bortz, Mr T Gujadhur & Mr R M Sewgoolam, this 4yo gelding is bred by Maine Chance & Coolmore partnership and is by Vercingetorix ex Pine Princess by Captain Al

9

The Equator (IRE)

SC/DR – 09

Trainer – Tony Peter

WGT – 60

Jockey – Rene Piechulek

MR - 117

Bred by Coolmore, this 5yo entire by Galileo is out of the Showcasing mare, Quiet Reflection and is owned by Mr W H Ackerman & Adv N Riley

See It Again

SC/DR – 10 WGT – 60 MR - 127

Trainer – Justin Snaith

Jockey – Andrew Fortune

This 6yo Drakenstein-bred gelding by Twice Over ex Supreme Vision (Visionaire) is owned by Mr N Jonsson

Okavango

SC/DR – 11

Trainer – Justin Snaith

WGT – 59,5 MR - 120

Jockey – Callan Murray

By Master Of My Fate out of the Sportsworld mare, Sabina Park, this 4yo gelding is bred by Mr M de Broglio and owned by Mr N Jonsson

WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE TOWN MET ’26 SHORT HEADS SPECIAL EDITION

1971 Sires

The late Lancaster Bomber (War Front) is again represented by defending champion Eight On Eighteen, while Twice Over (Observatory), who sired 2024 Met winner Double Superlative, and is in the mix on Saturday courtesy of his good son See It Again, are the only sires with past Met winners in the 2026 field. With 4 representatives on Saturday, champion Vercingetorix must have a big shout of following in the hoofprints of his illustrious Dad Silvano, who sired 2013 winner, Martial Eagle (pictured).

1994

Turnover records were broken on the 1994 J&B Met day, where an estimated 40 000 people packed the stands and picnic sites. The Met was won in fairytale fashion by 20-1 shot Pas de Quoi, a Peter Kannemeyer (pictured) trained 7yo who came in from the cold after standing a season at stud in ’92. Blinkered first time, Pas de Quoi left his Queens Plate form well behind him and got up on the post under Garth Puller to deprive the heavily supported Waitara for the combination of Marcus & Millard, from landing a J&B Met double.

1992

There has been much debate about field sizes in recent times. In 1992 the final field for the J&B Met was announced, with 8 horses having to be eliminated to reduce the final field to 20. One of the eliminations was 1991 Gr1 Bloodline Administrator’s winner Last Watch, whose connections were not impressed with his exclusion – even in an age when social media referred to over indulgent racing scribes. The race was won by Peter Kannemeyer’s Divine Master, ridden by Jeff Lloyd.

Nineteen horses went into the stalls for the 1971 running of the Benson & Hedges Metropolitan Handicap. Chichester and Skyline, the latter looking superbly well, were at the top of the boards. Both ran in the first three, but a long way in the wake of the twenty-to-one chance Night Off (pictured).

WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE TOWN MET ’26 SHORT HEADS SPECIAL EDITION

BARRIER GATES

With 11 runners starting on Saturday, the draw is unlikely to play an overriding factor in the outcome, although tactically it may. The last 10 Met winners with draws, are as follows :

2025: Eight On Eighteen (9)

2024: Double Superlative (2)

2023: Jet Dark (4)

2022: Kommetdieding (1)

2021: Rainbow Bridge (6)

2020: One World (12)

2019: Rainbow Bridge (2)

2018: Oh Susanna (4)

2017: Whisky Baron (8)

2016: Smart Call (8)

There are 4 past Met winning jockeys in Saturday’s renewal. Richard Fourie won it in 2025 (Eight On Eighteen) and 2023 (Jet Dark), Gavin Lerena won on Kommetdieding in 2022, while JP van der Merwe celebrated in 2016 on Smart Call (pictured), with Aldo Domeyer causing an upset in 2013 when Martial Eagle scored.

Cosmic Speed, Gladatorian and The Equator are the visiting trio in Saturday’s renewal. Smart Call was the last raider to win the Met back in 2016 and prior to her Igugu (pictured) in 2012. They were both members of the fairer sex. The last visiting male to win was thus Zebra Crossing for the late Neil Bruss in 2006.

TRAINERS Jockeys

Only 2 of Saturday’s Met trainers have past winners to their names. Sean Tarry saddled 2005 hero Alastor (pictured), who won the big race under Garth Puller, while it is well documented that Justin Snaith is going for his fifth success and fourth on the trot – having opened his account with Oh Susanna in 2018, and then won it the past three runnings with Jet Dark, Double Superlative and Eight On Eighteen.

2023, 2024, 2025…?

At the age of 50, six-times SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith well and truly has time on his side when it comes to his bold efforts in rewriting the history books.

The Futura Park-based conditioner saddles six of the eleven runners in Saturday’s R5 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met in his quest for his fifth victory, and recordbreaking fourth consecutive success, in the Race Coast Cape showcase.

This year marks the 164th running of an iconic race which had been in existence for several years when in 1886, racing in the Cape moved from Green Point Common to its present home at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Distances varied over the years. Initially it was contested over a mile, then 1800m, but since 1948, has always been run over 2000m.

Comparisons with legends of yore are often academic, but as far as trainers go, the modernday Met record belongs not yet to the Snaith team, but to the late maestro Terrance Millard, who raised the prized trophy on no less than six occasions, the first with Polar Bear in 1963, when he was 34 and the last time with Olympic Duel in 1991, at age 62.

Justin Snaith waited a while for his first Met winner. That was the Drakenstein champion Oh Susanna, who in the hands of Grant Van Niekerk in 2018 became the first 3yo filly in over a century, to win the historic race.

After four blank years over the awful covid-19 time, Justin Snaith has literally not put a foot wrong in the Met, winning it with Jet Dark under Richard Fourie in 2023, Double Superlative under UK-based Danny Muscutt in 2024, and twelve months ago with subsequent SA Horse Of The Year – coincidentally Justin’s seventh charge to win that prestigious title - Eight On Eighteen.

On Saturday the Snaith sextet is headed by defending champion Eight On Eighteen, who, for the first time in his clashes with arch-rival The Real Prince, is drawn inside the Kannemeyer flagbearer at 2.

It could be argued that an interrupted prep is the one factor against Eight On Eighteen. In his only outing since beaten a quarter length by The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July,the champion son of Lancaster Bomber stayed on almost unspectacularly for a 4,25 length beating by the Khaya Stables star in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate three weeks ago. Eight On Eighteen is a half kilo better off on Saturday and showed up smartly in a 1400m gallop at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Thursday. All signs suggest that he will strip ready for a gunfight on 31 January.

See It Again, who with Okavango and the defending champion, also races in the Nic Jonsson silks, has come on in leaps and bounds in the Cape. Andrew Fortune is hungry for a Met victory to include in his extraordinary life story – a potential Netflix bestseller- and is supremely confident.

“We are going 2000m, and I know him better. Whoever beats See It Again will win,” quipped the Candyman last week.

Muzi Yeni is another top jockey hunting for a maiden Met success. He partners Sail The Seas, who was right on top of the top trio in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. The son of Vercingetorix has had a perfect prep.

Both Legal Counsel and Native Ruler are probably more likely Hollywoodbets Durban July prospects, but could boost the quartets on a good day, while the end-to-end Gr2 Premier Trophy winner Okavango has been labelled the likely pacesetter.

These are the Snaith’s comments on their WSB Cape Town Met sextet:

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN

Eight On Eighteen had his prep run in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate after a very interrupted preparation. Since then, everything has come together beautifully. His wellbeing is perfect, he’s back on track, and he’s doing nicely at home. His grass gallop coming into the race was back where it should be, and we feel that over the 2000m trip he is a worthy favourite as he goes for The Met double.

SEE IT AGAIN

See It Again has enjoyed a near-perfect preparation into the Cape Town Met. He was a touch unlucky in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate last time out and is arguably more effective over the 2000m. Andrew Fortune is extremely confident, and in his current condition he is probably the horse to beat. A top performance is fully expected.

OKAVANGO

Okavango will take up the role of pacemaker, but he is far more than just that. He’s a horse with serious ability, a relentless galloper who loves to roll along

up front. He will ensure a genuine tempo and is not one you can afford to ignore - if left alone, he could very well steal it from the front.

NATIVE RULER

Native Ruler raced a bit keenly last time out and didn’t perform to expectations, but he is better than that run suggests. The plan is to ride him cold, drop him in, and allow him to finish strongly, off what should be a solid pace. We’re hopeful he can storm home late.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Legal Counsel produced a tremendous performance in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, showing plenty of courage throughout. He’s a big, scopey horse with real presence and continues to progress well. He’s not without a chance despite being the longest odds in the field.

SAIL THE SEAS

Sail The Seas ran a phenomenal race in the King’s Plate where he was just touched off. His preparation for the Met has arguably gone better than any other horse in the field. He has been touched off

in his previous three outings and comes into this race absolutely primed. Importantly, he finished a superb second in the Gr1 Derby over the same course and distance last year. If he reproduces that performance, he must be a major contender.

We are set for a humdinger on Saturday. Eleven runners and little to choose between them. It’s competitive and this is one time when size doesn’t matter! There were 11 runners in the Cape Met in 2022 and 2024.As a weight-for-age, 2000m championship, the race is designed to showcase the very best. This is one contest where quality matters far more than quantity.

So it could be big day for a dead-heat? Remarkably, the Met has yet to deliver a tie.

In recent times, the narrowest of winners have been the Mike Bass-trained longshot Bunter Barlow, who scraped home under Glen Hatt by a shorthead in 2001, as did David Payne’s Imperious Sue under present day Hollywood Racing manager Anthony Delpech in 1998. Four years earlier, and three months prior to South Africa’s first democratic elections, the 7yo Pas De Quoi got up wide out under Garth Puller to pip Waitara in a finish that kept the Judge pondering.

THE CAPE TOWN MET –STORIES THROUGH THE AGES

A race that has been run for 164 years is bound to become more than just a list of winners.

The Cape Metropolitan Stakes, now known as the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met, has lived through different eras, adapted as the sport has changed, and along the way has gathered a treasure trove of stories that go far beyond what’s written in the record books.

Some of those stories are well known and often retold. Others survive only in memory –in the recollections of people who were there, or in the kind of anecdotes that get passed around racing circles over time.

Over the years, a few of these have been quietly collected and held onto. With the 165th renewal of the great race just around the corner, this is a chance to dust them off and revisit some of those moments – stories of Met legends from across the ages.

The Master of the Met was the legendary jockey turned trainer, Syd Garrett, who won the contest no fewer than 11 times after he’d hung up his boots in 1922.

He saddled his first Met winner with Grand Chase in 1926, but it was when he moved his yard from Claremont to a spacious property at Milnerton that the legend truly got under way.

The stables were named Roamer Lodge after a grey horse called Roamer. He was described as a “strange-looking animal’’ and a “circus horse’’, with a “head like a Clydesdale, “a back like a billiard table’’ and splayed front feet. When he first arrived, bought cheaply and sent from England by repatriate Jim Russell, the stable lads fell about laughing at his comical gait and nicknamed him Pikkewyn (penguin).

But the jokes turned to cheers when Garrett won the Met in 1928 and again in 1929, and became known as “The Wizard of Roamer Lodge’’. When the training complex was sold for housing development in the 1960s, a block of flats, still standing in Koeberg Road, was named Roamer Lodge.

Garret’s other Met winners were Sir Francis (1935), Moonlit (1936 and 1938), Asbestos II (1937), Royal Chaplain (1941 and 1942), Feltos (1945) and Marion Island (1957), and in 1936 he saddled the first three past the post in the Met, won by Moonlit.

Moonlit gave then 18-year-old jockey, Stanley Amos, his first of six Met wins in 1936. Amos, in 1987, told Thoroughbred News: “I rode plenty of good horses in my career as a jockey. The English horse Ranjit who, as a two-year-old, tested Petition and won seven Top division races here before becoming champion sire twice. The French horse Asbestos, who won the Met and was pipped on the post in the July before being champion sire five times.

“Then there was the English horse Fairthorn (sire of Sea Cottage) who annihilated a very strong Top Division field at Greyville at his only South African start. He was champion sire five times. I rode Black Cap, Jerez, Renounce, Majorca, Sympathetic, King’s Pact, Feltos, Prince Florimund and many others. None of them or any other horse I’ve ever seen would have lived with Moonlit. He was the greatest of them all. He was a big, strong, majestic bay horse – extremely intelligent and full of character. He knew that he was the best. After winning a race he would come home to Roamer Lodge and as he entered the yard all the boys would shout ‘Nkosi!’ With that he would rear up and walk into the yard on his hind legs as if to say ‘Yes, I know I’m the King!’”

Stanley’s brother, Harold “Cookie” Amos, also apprenticed to Syd Garrett, won the 1938 Met on Moonlit, and as a trainer was successful with Bulbul (1959), Jerez (1962) and the famous filly Renounce (1966).

Duncan Alexander (father of Gary, Dean and Julie), rode Renounce to a win that was a watershed in his career as a jockey.

There was a three-month period towards the end of 1965 in which Duncan failed to ride a single winner. He finished second so many times that his colleagues and the racing public nick-named him, “Alexander The Second”.

In this frustrating time, Duncan said, he was angry with himself and almost gave up, but remembering his own mentor Bert Abercrombie’s advice on having patience, he decided to take a break from racing and went on holiday in Durban. For a few weeks he didn’t open a race card or listen to race result on radio.

Just after New Year’s Day in 1996, a rather depressed Duncan received news that Cookie Amos had been trying to reach him. The holidaying jockey wanted to take another week off, but his wife Marge urged him to phone the Cape trainer. This turned out to be one of the most important calls of his life, because Amos needed a lightweight for Renounce in the Met, and Duncan was his first choice.

Duncan related: “Stanley Amos was his brother’s stable jockey, but by then, Stanley had won a few Mets and the stable was very fond of a colt called Fire Eyes, who became the favourite for the race. “I’d never ridden Renounce before, but I studied some footage of her previous runs. I remember saying to Marge, ‘I can win this!’

“On the big day Mr Amos told me sit patiently on her, off the pace, and I followed his instructions. We found a clear run in the Kenilworth straight and she accelerated

smartly to win from Arctic Venture with Java Head back in third.”

Duncan was on a high and the year 1966 brought more good fortunes. He notched his second Summer Handicap for George Azzie on the bottom-weight Caradoc, defeating Doctor John and Peppy. In 1967 he won the prestigious Gold Cup for trainer Bert Sage aboard Cuff Link, followed by his second Met win in 1970, riding trainer Jackie Bell’s Snow Fun.

The 1970s belonged to runners trained in the old Natal, starting with Syd Laird’s Yatagan, who won the Met in 1974. New Zealand-bred Sledgehammer ran out a facile winner in 1975, Gatecrasher took the race in 1976 and Bahadur continued the success in 1977.

Garth Puller, who rode Gatecrasher for Herman Brown (sr), noted: “He was a great individual, he moved beautifully and was probably the best I’d horse I’d ever sat on. Him, and maybe Dean Kannemeyer’s champion Dynasty, a horse I rode in home gallops.’’

Brown said about Gatecrasher: “He was the best horse I trained. He was a ‘cripple’ however, a very unsound horse. He would

have been even better if not for that. He spent half of his career resting in his stable and we treated his sore legs with ice.’’

Rounding out the quintet was one of the most famous of Met winners, the mighty Politician. After striding to a majestic victory in 1978, Syd Laird’s big chestnut returned twelve months later and put up one of the most riveting performances in Met history, one that will long be remembered. Drawn 16 out of 19, he looked a beaten horse 200m out but unleashed an electric turn of foot and made up two lengths to nab the gallant filly Festive Season on the line.

Click on the image below to read the full story…

WE ARE OVERDUE

A BIG PICK 6 WIN!

Saturday’s WSB Cape Town Met day Pick 6 is being boosted by a R1 million carryover and the pool is expected to reach R7 million!

After a narrow miss of a slice of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate day R3 million plus Pick 6 dividend cake, the Sporting Post Pick 6 syndicate is back for Saturday and those wanting to enquire about getting involved can simply e-mail williammilkovitch@yahoo.co.uk for full entry details.

“The good news is that we don’t have the fabulous East Cape sprinting sensation Kingdundee in the fields to haunt us ! He smashed us and our two Pick6 perms right out the water on

L’Ormarins King’s Plate day! I’ll strike the Pick 6 bet/s @ 10h30 on Saturday morning with Hollywoodbets. Proof of bets struck with Hollywoodbets will follow immediately in addition to the schedule of participants first names and bet equity/share. Prior to that I’ll communicate the proposed/intended permutations on Friday evening, no later than 21h00,” said ‘Prof’ William Milkovitch.

You may select 2 horses for any 3 of the legs, and 3 horses for the remaining 3 legs of the Pick6.

Minimum buy-in remains R100.

Interested? Please email the Prof.

WSB Cape Town Met Day carryovers:

• Race 4 @ 13:35 – Pick 6 Carryover

R1 000 000. Likely Pool R7 000 000.

• Race 8 @ 16:05 – Quartet Carryover

R500 000. Likely Pool R2 000 000.

• Race 9 @ 16:45 – Jackpot 3 Carryover

R500 000. Likely Pool R2 000 000.

TWO SA-BRED STARS

AMONGST DUBAI WORLD CUP DAY NOMINEES

The Gr1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, has received 143 nominations, including 2024 winner Facteur Cheval, Gr1 Coral-Eclipse winner Ombudsman, Japanese multiple Gr1 champion Jantar Mantar, with two SA -bred gallopers in Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational runner-up One Stripe (Graham Motion) and recent Gr2 Cape Verdi runner-up Quid Pro Quo (Jerome Rynier) in the mix, for the extravaganza at Meydan on Saturday 28 March.

Quid Pro Quo is also entered in the Godolphin Mile on the dirt.

Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young and recent Dubai World Cup champions Laurel River (2024) and Hit Show (2025) are among a worldclass list of nominees for the $12 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup, the centrepiece of Dubai World Cup Day on Saturday, 28 March 2026.

A total of 151 horses have been entered for the iconic 2000-metre contest, with leading contenders from Japan including Narukami, Diktaen and Dura Erede, alongside US stars Gosger and White Abarrio, underscoring the truly global appeal of the 30th running of the race.

The nine-race card is anchored by an exceptional supporting programme, led by the $6 million Gr1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, which has attracted 95 nominations. Among them is 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Calandagan, alongside 2024 Sheema Classic hero Rebel’s

Romance, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond and reigning champion Danon Decile. Japan is strongly represented once again with Croix Du Nord, Durezza and Masquerade Ball also among the entries.

See all the nominations by clicking here.

Sprint races also promise elite competition.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato features among the entries for the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Nakheel, while Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint heroine Shisospicy is among the nominations for the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments.

The outstanding Dubai World Cup Day programme is further bolstered by the Gr2 UAE Derby, the Gr2 Godolphin Mile sponsored by Emaar, and the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors. The day traditionally opens with the Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians.

Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations & International Relations at Dubai Racing Club, said: “We are thrilled to see such exceptional nominations from around the world for the 30th running of the Dubai World Cup. The presence of former and defending champions highlights the prestige and global pull of this meeting, and we are confident that the 2026 edition will deliver an outstanding celebration of international racing at its very best.”

ROCKS THE ONE STRIPE PEGASUS BOAT

The eighth running of the Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, and the 10th anniversary of the $3 million Gr1 Pegasus World Cup on dirt, both run over 1800m, and the fifth edition of the $500 000 TAA Gr2 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf headlined a spectacular programme featuring 10 stakes races, seven graded, worth $5,675 million in purses at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

With the dust settling on South African dual Gr1-winner One Stripe’s scintillating run to be beaten a neck by stablemate Test Score in a Graham Motion 1-2 in Saturday evening’s $1 million Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, the question is naturally, where to now?

At this stage, it’s officially in the melting pot.

As recently as Christmas Day, the Pegasus was a pipe dream. The invitation to run on Saturday evening only arrived after the Drakenstein Stud-bred champion’s runaway last victory in an Allowance Plate on 26 December.

When asked whether Dubai was on the radar, Hollywood Racing spokesman Devin Heffer, who was on course on Saturday to experience the heady moment, told the Sporting Post: “We are going to give it a few days before making a call on where to next. Obviously, Dubai would be incredible, but let’s see.”

It was certainly worth stretching the day to just before midnight to shout the champion home, and we hope that the minority of tailpullers will now start supporting owners and investors in every SA-bred that take their chances abroad. It’s a cash-draining exercise in gross patience. But when they step up – as One Stripe did – the entire industry benefits.

“He looks good, and yes he beat them easily last time. But let’s face it – if any of those behind him were running here, they’d be 100-1 and more,” quipped a local analyst prerace, who had to eat some of his disregard for the handsome Saffer, who ran an explosive race under Gulfstream greenhorn Gavin Lerena at his first race ride on USA soil.

Lerena showed again why he became SA Champion for the second time after a season of stops, starts, and other challenges.

One Stripe, who had never raced beyond a mile prior to Saturday evening, came in from double digit odds to start 4-1.

And he proved he is a Bok in every respect, coming wide out off midfield and getting to the winner, but just running out of real estate.

Out of the Silvano mare Silver Stripe, One Stripe won six of nine starts in South Africa for Vaughan Marshall, including the 2024 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and 2025 L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate.

But let’s now pay our due accolades to the winner.

After a 2025 that included his first Gr1 victory and more than $1 million in purse earnings, the Amerman Racing homebred Test Score got 2026 off to a fabulous start by fending off longshot Almendares in mid-stretch and outlasting late-running stablemate One Stripe by a neck, to give his jockey and trainer their first Pegasus strike.

The winning time over a firm turf course was 1:47.04.

“I felt really good about running these horses, but I felt really good about running my horses all day and none of them had won,” Motion said. “This was the icing on the cake today. What a great day.”

Test Score was facing older horses for the first time in the Pegasus Turf after notching three wins, one second, three thirds and more than $1.3 million in purse earnings from eight starts at 3 dating back to last February, including victories in the Gr1 Belmont Derby Invitational, Gr2 Twilight Derby and Gr3 Transylvania.

“I’m going to give [Test Score] a bit of a break. He’s had a long year. I wanted to point for this race. We’ll freshen him up for the spring,” Motion said.

“One Stripe, I think the future is unlimited for him. The distance really helped him today.”

Cabo Spirit broke well from gate 8 in a field of 12 under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and

quickly established himself on the lead, going the opening quarter-mile in 23.71 seconds, pressed to his outside by millionaire Major Dude with Cugino racing in the clear three wide in third, and Test Score settled on the rail in fourth.

The half-mile went in 47.23 seconds with the top four unchanged as the group rounded the far turn.

Cabo Spirit clung to a short lead at the top of the stretch with the rest closing in around him led by Test Score, who surged past the tiring leader in mid-stretch followed on his right hip by Almendares, sent off at 35-1.

Franco set Test Score down for a drive inside the final 200m and the 4-year-old son of champion Lookin At Lucky began to edge clear – but our boy One Stripe, who was unhurried off the pace in the early going, came with a dramatic late run on the far outside and came up just short.

“I wanted to come out of there running because I knew there was a lot of speed in the race and I didn’t want to be too far behind. I didn’t want to lose position going into the first turn,” Franco said.

Test Score was beaten just a half-length as the favorite following a troubled trip in the 1800m Gr1 Hollywood Derby on the Del Mar turf in November, after which he endured a twoday van ride back to South Florida from California.

On Saturday he improved his career record to 5-3-3 with $2,015,525 in purses earned.

“I held my position the whole time until we got to the backside. After that I was happy with where I was and how my horse was traveling. At the 600m pole, the horse on the lead got away a little bit and I was able to go outside him,” he added.

“When [Test Score] made the front early he kind of waited a little bit, but when he felt the competition again, he gave me another gear.”

One Stripe finished a length ahead of Almendares, who edged 40-1 longshot Astronomer by a head for third.

It was another nose back to the 6-5 favourite, Program Trading, followed by Fort Washington, Chasing the Crown, Call Sign Seven, Cabo Spirit, Beach Gold, Cugino and Major Dude.

Prior to his first run at Gulfstream, One Stripe earned an automatic trip to the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar,by virtue of his victory at home in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Prior to the Breeders’ Cup, he made his North American debut in the Gr1 Woodbine Mile finishing fifth.

“[Test Score] had a lot of trouble in his last race and still ran well, he just couldn’t get there. Manny gave him a great ride today,” Motion said.

“It’s a little bittersweet [One Stripe ran second] because these guys are such good sports. They’ve traveled from South Africa to watch this horse run. He’s a really good horse. You’re going to hear a lot from this horse this year.”

HE’S A TRUE BLUE BLOOD!

Champion One Stripe, considered by some observers to be unlucky not to win Saturday’s Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes, is a colt whose pedigree contains top South African bloodlines.

He hails from the first crop of One World, the latter one of 105 stakes winners for the late champion sire Captain Al.

One of at least ten Equus Champions for his sire, One World was South Africa’s Champion Older Male of 2019-2020 during which season he won the Gr1 Sun Met and ran second in both the L’Ormarins Gr1 Queen’s Plate and World Sports Betting Gr2 Green Point Stakes.

The strapping bay made a flying start to his stud career, with his initial crop of runners including 30 individual two-year-old winners.

This crop, which has produced more than 60 winners thus far, is headed by One Stripe, but also includes a further 12 horses who have either won or been placed in black type races.

One Stripe aside, other notable members of One World’s first crop are Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile winner World Of Alice (beaten just a short- head when second in the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks), Listed World Sports Betting Sophomore Sprint/Listed Somerset 1200 victor Lion Rampart, and Gr2 Cape Punters Cup runner up All Out For Six.

The latter, who has earned more than R3,4 million, upset his champion paternal halfbrother One Stripe when he won the 2025 HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap.

One Stripe also hails from a prolific female line. He is one of two graded stakes winners produced by his dam Silver Stripe. Winner of three races up to 2450m, including the Listed Spook Express Handicap, Silver Stripe is also responsible for this season’s Gr3 Cape Classic winner Vapour Trail (Erik The Red).

The impeccably bred Silver Stripe is a full-sister to Gr3 Winter Derby winner Gifted For Glory, the pair having been produced by top-class racemare Badger’s Gift (Badger Land). The latter accounted for subsequent champion and Dubai star Sun Classique when she won the TBA Gr1 Paddock Stakes of 2007. Also victorious in the 2004 Gr3 Diana Stakes, Badger’s Gift was produced by the Hard Up mare Upwardly Mobile, a three-time winner who ran third in the Listed Diamond Stakes.

Upwardly Mobile’s granddam Kit Kat (Mexico II) also ranks as the third dam of this season’s World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship

runner-up I Am Giant (Querari), with other notable members of this family including Gr1 Cape Argus Guineas runner-up Superior Service (Royal Chalice) and high-class sprinter, Thunder Cat (Peaceable Kingdom).

One Stripe is directly descended in female line from South African Derby winner Fillette (St Fillan), whose granddam Cipollina (Macaroni) ran third in the English Oaks. Other notable descendants of Fillette include champion Yorker (Jet Master), and G1 SA Nursery winner Manipur (Exclusive Patriot).

Silvano, the broodmare sire of One Stripe, continues to enjoy good success, with the champion son of Lomitas the broodmare sire of more than 40 stakes winners, including 2025 Betway Gr1 Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend (Ideal World).

One Stripe is an entry for the Dubai World Cup racemeeting on 28 March at Meydan –read more on page 44.

CALVIN CONTINUES SOLID ’26 FORM!

SplashOut-sponsored rider Calvin Habib continued his solid 2026 form when he booted home his third feature winner, with a week left of the month, and six rides to come at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on WSB Cape Town Met Day on Saturday 31 January.

Habib rode a smartly considered race aboard Alec Laird’s Aristotle, who got up wide out in a thrilling finish to win the R250 000 TAB Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap, formerly the Drum Star, at Turffontein on Saturday.

It was quite a dramatic race in view of the interference of a loose horse, who actually worked in the winner’s favour by giving him cover when he needed it.

Marco van Rensburg was leading on King’s Express as they took the turn, but, came off as his blinkered mount veered away from the rail and unseated his rider.

“All good, thanks. Bumps and bruises can’t put me down,” Marco told the Sporting Post on Saturday evening.

It was a welcome form return for the lightly raced 4yo Aristotle (25-2) who beat Pioneer Square (9-2) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 110,83 secs for his first win over 1800m.

Lucky Houdalakis’ good filly Willy Meet Again (10-1) was thereabouts for a long way and stayed on for third a further quarter length back.

The tote favourite The Ultimate King (7-2) never showed and finished well downfield.

Raced by Messrs Krish Nagendran & R V Norton & Mrs C Nagendran, Aristotle is a R1 million BSA National 2yo Sale purchase. He was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and is by Redoute’s Choice star stallion Rafeef out of the Gr1 winning Athina (Fort Wood).

Aristotle won 2 of his 5 starts in the Cape for Justin Snaith, before transferring to Alec Laird at the end of 2024. He has now registered 3 wins and 7 places from his 13 starts and stakes of R512 876.

GATE CRASH ER STILL AT THE PARTY ALL THESE YEARS LATER

1975

It has been exactly 50 years since Gatecrasher won the Metropolitan Stakes under Garth Puller. Trained by the late Herman Brown Snr, the big chestnut returned to the scene of his impressive triumph in the previous season’s Gr1 Cape Guineas and was no less impressive in the Met, leaving champion Sledgehammer and Gr1 Holiday Inns winner Majestic Crown trailing in his wake.

That victory went a long way to make up for the colt’s well-documented demotion from first to third in the 1975 Rothmans July after hanging badly in the run to the line.

Voted the Champion Older Horse, Gatecrasher retired to stud a triple Gr1 winner, and while he never scaled similar heights as a stallion, his name still pops up in stakes pedigrees, though remotely, the latest being Aristotle, who opened

his stakes account in Turffontein’s Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap (formerly the Drum Star Handicap).

By Rafeef, Alec Laird’s charge is out of Fort Wood’s high-class daughter Athina, a Wilgerbosdrift-bred Gr1 winner who carried Mary Slack’s silks to victory in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic, whilst finishing second in both the Woolavington 2000 and Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes.

Athina’s younger half-sister, the Master Of My Fate filly Epikleros likewise races for her breeder and scored a career-high in this season’s Listed Jockey Club Stakes.

The family entered the Wilgerbosdrift fold with the acquisition of the Al Mufti mare Quick Succession, who was out of Gatecrasher’s daughter Inca

Goddess, a dual stakes winner of seven races, including the Eastern Province Guineas against colts.

In time, the purchase of Quick Succession was fully justified when her younger half-brother Waves Of Argosy proved himself a fine sprinter, claiming the Gr3 Joburg Sprint at the expense of top sprinters Al Nitak and Fov’s Favourite, in addition to which he chased home champion National Currency in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint. He was also, if memory serves correctly, a first winner for our reigning SA Champion jockey Gavin Lerena.

Quick Succession went on to produce two stakes winners and both were sired by Fort Wood.

The Geoff Woodruff-trained Heir Apparent ran third in the Gr1 SA Nursery as a juvenile before claiming the Gr1 Sunday Tribune SA Guineas. He was subsequently exported to the States, where he continued on his winning ways.

His own sister Quickwood became yet another homebred stakes winner when she landed the Gr3 Magnolia Stakes. However, her best effort came in defeat when she split champion Elusive Fort and Gr1 winner Ndabeni in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes.

To Rich Man’s Gold, Quick Succession produced The Heiress who won just one race, but was retained for stud, where she has more than made up for her lack of racetrack talent by producing Athina and Epikleros, as well as stakes-placed Inherit The Rain.

Quickwood too, returned to the Wilgerbosdrift paddocks and did her bit to enhance the family fortunes as the dam of the outstanding Silvano filly Nightingale.

Trained for Mary and daughter Jessica by Candice Bass-Robinson, she mixed it with

the best and put together a slew of black type places at three, which included a third in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 behind champion Bela-Bela.

A typical Silvano, Nightingale came into her own at four and broke through at the elite level with a virtual last-to-first win in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes. That was a decade ago on Met day and this coming weekend, her Gr2 winning daughter Rainbow Lorikeet will attempt to emulate her dam when she lines up for the 2026 Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes.

Wilgerbosdrift is also home to another of Gatecrasher’s descendants, the Tiger Ridge mare Oyster Pond, the dam of Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner and Gr1 Empress Club runnerup, White Pearl.

Oyster Pond is a half-sister to none other than Champion Stayer Kings Gambit, who annexed two legs of the Triple Crown, the Gr1 SA Classic and Gr1 SA Derby, before going on to Gr3 success in Britain. They are out of Gr1 winner Lady Brompton, who incidentally, finished third, beaten a neck and a head, in the 2000 Majorca Stakes.

Interesting to note that she is bred on the same cross as Quick Succession, being by Al Mufti out of a Gatecrasher mare, in this case, Underground Lady, one of eight stakes winners out of the famed blue hen mare Soho Secret, the most notable of course Horse of the Year London News.

By the way, Wilgerbosdrift is not the only prominent stud perpetuating the legacy of Gatecrasher, as Varsfontein owns Athina’s winning full sister Babe Paley, whose talented three-year-old son Randolph Hearst most recently finished third in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas. He too, will be in action on Met day and is currently one of the fancied runners in the HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes.

A MILESTONE MAN REMEMBERED

Last Saturday’s TAB Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap at the Vaal won by Alec Laird’s Aristotle was formerly run as the Drum Star Handicap after Gary Alexander’s dual Gr1 winning charge.

The gelding contributed to one of the most memorable days of Alexander’s training career when he was one of two Gr1 winners on the inaugural Champions Day at Turffontein in 2000. Not only did Alexander saddle Drum Star to win the Gr1 Champion Stakes and Silver Sliver to win the Gr1 SA Derby, he also went home with the Gr2 Gold Bowl honours, thanks to Lady Of The Turf.

The race became the Dr Richard Maponya Handicap in 2024, when it was won by Messrs J F & L M F Wernars, H Willson & Pippa Mickleburgh’s Litigation (Greys Inn), trained by Sean Tarry and ridden by Gavin Lerena.

Dr Maponya is honoured not only for the legacy he left in the business world, but also as the first person of colour to be granted owner privileges in South Africa.

Michael Azzie was his principal trainer and relates that none other than Bridget Oppenheimer was among the people who stood surety for Maponya with the Jockey Club.

Azzie, in turn, bought Maponya his first horse.

“Richard originally came to see my dad,” he relates.

“He said ‘I’ve seen your results and I want you to train for me.’ We didn’t have anything for him at the time, but he left his business card and asked us to call him the next time there was sale. My Dad passed about 4 weeks later. I took over the yard and things had been a bit quiet. On day I saw the business card sitting on the

desk and decided to ring him up. I explained there was a dispersal sale for some horses from Ricky HowardGinsberg that were darn decent. He was excited and we agreed to meet at Turffontein to look the horses over. I gave him 4 choices of the ones that I liked and he picked Another Colour.”

The hammer fell at R26k and Azzie remembers the bloodstock agent requiring a bank guarantee cheque before they would hand over the release form. This required a hurried – and covert – trip to Soweto.

“People were still rioting and burning cars back then,” Azzie explains, chuckling as he describes the balaclava and trenchcoat he donned for the caper.

By the time the cheque was procured and the bloodstock agent appeased, the commercial floats had already left and Mike had to borrow a 2-berth from Ormond Ferraris to get his new charge home. But get home he did. Another Colour was the first horse to canter down in Maponya’s gold, green and black silks on 12 January 1982 and the first to carry them into the winner’s enclosure at Newmarket on 10 February 1982.

Other memorable horses were Seven Springs, who won by a margin first time out, multiple winners Black Charger, Queen Of Gaiety and Water Eagle and he owned a share in Shaybani with Larry Nestadt and Marshall Finlay.

Dr Maponya passed away on 6 January 2020.

SPOOK THEM BRETT & LOUIS

The Elusive Fort mare Royal Invitation has found her best form ahead of the Highveld feature season and she followed up her victory in the non black-type Sun Chariot Handicap at Turffontein on the Day Of Reconciliation public holiday five weeks ago, when finishing best of all – again under Louis Nhlapo – to win the TAB Listed Spook Express Stakes at a agonisingly hot Vaal on Saturday.

Trainer Brett Webber remarked that he had looked at the morning betting odds of 6-1 and thought, ‘what are these people smoking?’ She actually started at 10-1!

And even though he hadn’t got a run into the good mare in the interim – her December victory was her first in 32 months – a good gallop last Thursday had given him the confidence.

After Poplar Park had made the running, Nhlapo produced Royal Invitation down the inside at the 350m and and delighted owner Martin Bothma, for whoim this was a maiden stakes success, enjoyed the pleasure of shouting the 6yo home.

Royal Victory (10-1) finished well to clock 150,61 secs for the 2400m and beat the lovely grey Kissing Machine (17-2) by 2,60 lengths.

The only 3yo in the field and tote favourite, Littlemisssplendid (7-2) had nothing to come and was beaten a further 0,40 lengths back in third.

A former Stipe and an experienced jockey who has had his fair share of ups and some terrible downs, Louis Nhlapo quipped that

this winner from just the single ride on the afternoon was a good sign for his colleague Gavin Lerena who was 13000km away –also with just one ride on the big programme – and readying to partner One Stripe in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Formerly raced by Mario Ferreira with Candice Bass in the Cape, and then trained by Louis Goosen in KZN, Royal Invitation was bred by James Armitage and is a daughter of Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the top-class Western Winter (Gone West Mare) mare Early Spring.

A R575 000 BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Royal Invitation has won 4 races with 15 places from her 32 starts and stakes of R574 808.

The feature is named in honour of Spook Express, who was bred by the J.A.C.K. Syndicate comprised of Jehan Malherbe, Alan Hodson, Carl de Vos and Karl Neisius.

A bay filly by Comic Blush out of Park Walk, the mating was designed to effect the fashionable Blushing Groom-Nijinsky II cross.

Click here to read more about her amazing back story…

READY FOR GRADE 1 DEFENCE RAFEEF SOLDIER

The evergreen Ridgemont-bred Rafeef William Robertson is every owner’s dream horse and has done the list of owners under his name in the racecard proud.

‘Willie’ may never have hit the headlines in the way of an Eight On Eighteen or One Stripe, but he is as honest as the day is long and has a constitution of iron.

Veteran trainer Corne Spies has done a wonderful job in keeping the gelding sound and enjoying his racing and he fully deserved his win in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint back in March last year.

However, he had been winless since in nine subsequent outings, but back on what is possibly his favourite course and distance, he was hardly pressed to score the 16th win of his career from 52 starts when landing the African Holly Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday with consummate ease.

As expected, King Of The Gauls under Andrew Fortune took off like a scalded catunder control, we should add - with

Ryan Munger sitting in just behind, with the balance of the field, including fancied Cats Pajamas all outpaced.

King Of The Gauls was always in contention approaching the final furlong but Munger had barely moved and pressing for a final effort he left King Of The Gauls for dead with the balance trailing in with the washing.

Raced in a partnership by Rob Macnab, Keegan Govender, Xander Spies, Corne Spies Racing (Pty) Ltd & Jannie de Lange’s Waste Glass Recovery (Pty) Ltd, the Ridgemont Highlands-bred William Robertson in 2025 became the third Computaform Sprint winner by the champion farm’s in-form sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice), who won the elite sprint himself.

William Robertson is out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts.

The winner cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale and is a winner of 16 of his 52 starts with 18 places – he has earned R3 216 438.

THE SON OF QUERRAI LOOKS PROMISING

The Mike Miller-trained Querari colt Master Magician maintained his unbeaten record when always in command under Sporting Post-sponsored Tristan Godden to win the R250 000 KZN Futurity Plate at a sunny Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Starting at 1-3, Master Magician was the only winner alongside Highveld raider Spirit Of Gabz in the eight-horse field, and although getting worked up and sweating on the way to the start, he coasted clear inside the final stages to beat his fairer sex stablemate Japura (16-1) under Mickaeyle Michel by 4,20 lengths, with Spirit Of Gabz (8-1) a further 0,30 lengths back in third.

Master Magician had ignited some fierce debate on debut at the same track on 14 December, when he won by by 5,40 lengths and was accorded a new course record time of 54,39 secs.

That was clearly incorrect and Race Coast subsequently confirmed an adjusted official time of 56,10 seconds. He clocked 56,16 secs on Sunday.

Raced by Sterling Miller and Ben Sahd, Master Magician, described as ‘one of the better ones I have had’ by veteran trainer Mike Miller, is now 2 from 2 for stakes of R231 563.

On his temperament, Mike Miller said that he’d like to try a lead pony rather than gelding.

The winner was bred by Waterford Stud and is by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the Silvano mare, Flander’s Fields.

In the second race, Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Mount Kennedy suffered a heavy fall around the 350m marker.

Athandiwe was conscious and taken to hospital for further investigation. Mount Kennedy seems fine after being treated by a Vet.

RELIABLE MR ROBERTSON!

The runners with the highest merit ratings on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card contested the Non-Black Type African Holly Stakes over 1100m and in a race where just five went to post, victory went to last season’s runner up William Robertson.

The race was surprisingly run at a good pace given the size of the field. Indeed, they were only 1/10th of a second outside the course record. King Of The Gauls made the running whilst Corne Spies’ charge sat just a neck away in second. He put his head in front going through the 400m and quickening well over the final 200m, he won going away by three and a quarter.

Now a winner of 16 races from 52 outings in total, this 7yo son of Rafeef has now amassed stake earnings of over R3,2 million.

Going: Good to Soft (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 24 (both tracks)

Rain:

Irrigation:

Last 24 hours 2mm – Last 7 days 4mm

Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 12mm

False Rail 5m

Wind: 10-15km/h East North Easterly head wind

Course Variant: 1,32 seconds fast (straight) – 2,04s fast (bend)

In terms of prize money the opening NonBlack Type KZN Futurity Plate (2yo’s) over 1000m topped the bill and here we saw another impressive performance from the Querari colt MASTER MAGICIAN (9/20 into 1/3). A facile winner of his only previous racecourse appearance, Mike Miller’s charge was very quickly in command of a one and a half-length advantage.

He kept up a healthy gallop throughout and only having to be pushed out at the business end of the race, he went on to score with authority by four and a quarter. Master Magician has won both of his races in very good times, and he was the fastest finisher of the afternoon over the final 400m here. When interviewed after the race trainer Mike Miller said that he is one of the better ones that he has had for a while.

Three of the afternoon’s ten races were staged over 1200m and in the fastest of these, the Gallop Tv B Stakes , the highly regarded 3yo WILD JUSTICE registered his fourth win from just five starts.

Confidently ridden by Smanga Khumalo, the son of Vercingetorix led throughout. He was doing it easily early on and responding

gamely to his jockey’s urgings between the 200m and 100m markers, he won well by a length and a half. Interestingly, the fastest 400m to finish time in this race was recorded by Major Tommie (inconvenienced and thereafter switched out at 400m) who ran on strongly late to finish fourth.

The only other distance to stage more than one race on the card was 1950m. The Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Class 4 (f&m) was the quicker of the two and here victory went to the only 3yo in the event, CURIOUS GIRL (opened 7/1).

Freely available at 25/2 at the off, the De Kock charge was soon nicely positioned in third just two lengths off the pace. She was ridden to lead passing the 300m marker, but did then have to be ridden out all the way to the line to fend off a strong late challenge from the running on Sascha’s Dream. Just a length separated the first four home at the wire, with the fastest 400m to finish time in the race being recorded by fourth placed Hodgepodge.

Fastest Times:

1200m (3) Wild Justice

67,33

1950m (2) Curious Girl 119,76 400-finish Master Magician 22,32

Royal Invitation’s official merit rating has been increased from 95 to 99 following her victory in the TAB Listed Spook Express Stakes over 2400m at Vaal racecourse on Saturday.

The Handicappers considered runner-up, Kissing Machine as the most appropriate line horse for this race, leaving her rating unchanged at 82.

In addition to the winner’s adjustment, Littlemisssplendid , who finished third, saw her rating raised from 83 to 86.

Merit rating reductions were applied to the following horses:

• Poplar Park: down from 90 to 88

• Cocomelon: reduced from 87 to 85

• Key Worker : dropped slightly from 86 to 85

TAB Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap

Aristotle’s official merit rating has been raised from 104 to 106 following his victory in the TAB Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap over 1800m.

Third-place finisher Willy Meet Again was used as the line horse for this race, leaving her rating unchanged at 104.

Runner-up Pioneer Square , who contested the race five points (2.5kg) under sufferance at the weights, was adjusted upward from 96 to 101. Bakwena also received an increase in her merit rating, rising from 92 to 94.

The only reduction in the ratings was for Buster Barnes , who went down slightly to 101 from 102.

• Media release by the NHA on Monday, 26 January 2026.

& ARISTOTLE MOVE UP ROYAL INVITATION NHA CALENDAR

ALL THE REGULATOR’S HAPPENINGS THIS PAST WEEK

The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority Calendar per 23 January 2026.

The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Please click on the image below:

GEARS UP ON 7 FEBRUARY HIGHVELD SEASON

The first leg of the SA TAB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara for fillies kicks off at Turffontein on 7 February with the running of the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Fillies Guineas over 1600m.

4Racing report that the first entries for both races closed on Monday with 14 entries for the Guineas and 25 nominations received for the Fillies Guineas.

Runners from the Mike and Mathew de Kock dominate the TAB Guineas entries with four entries, and although Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen is not among them, they have some talented runners in the line-up in One Eye On Vegas, I’m A Fireball, Splittheeights and Yippe Kiyay.

Sean Tarry has three entries, headed by Tin Pan Alley and backed up by Grand Empire and Shadowfax.

However, Candice and Tammy Dawson might be holding the winning card with Betway Dingaans winner Trust. He beat Jan Van Goyen in the Dingaans and having landed a No 4 draw is likely to start favourite for the race.

The only visiting trainer to nominate a runner is Eastern Cape-based Dean Smith, who has All Systems Go.

The Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas could be a real thriller with runners from all over the country among the nominations.

Justin Snaith has entered Lowveld Lily while Alan Greeff has Golden Palm, who has landed the No 1 draw.

Tyrone Zackey has talented Littlemissmillion in the field, but she drew No 16, while Corne Spies will be disappointed Gr3 Fillies Mile winner Hazy Dazy is even worse off at No 18. However, he will be consoled that Elegantrix drew nicely at No 7.

The De Kock yard has only one entry in Drumnadrochit, a daughter of Rafeef who has won two of her three starts. Unfortunately, she has drawn wide at No 20.

Once again, the Dawson stable could have the strongest hand with Warm Reception, a winner of three of her four starts, including the Listed Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m at this course.

Supplementary entries close at 09h00 on Friday 30 January, while declarations must be in by 11h00 on Tuesday 3 February.

Click here to view the entrie s.

EAST CAPE STIPES NOT HAPPY

WITH APPRENTICES

While the move to regularly host the SAJA apprentices at racing venues country wide has showcased the talent and provided plenty of entertainment over recent months, the final race at Fairview on Friday will go down as a forgettable one for the ‘young guns’.

Run over the polytrack 2000m, the Next Fairview Racemeeting Friday 30 January Apprentice Classified Stakes was firmly under the Stipes’ spotlight, as it developed into a race in two.

The Stipes reported that approaching the 1600m, the front runners put a significant distance between themselves and the rest of the field, who made no effort to keep in touch with them. As a consequence, this race was run in two distinct parts.

All the apprentices who participated in this race appeared before the Board, in the presence of their Academy Riding Master, and were strongly advised to be more aware of where other runners are in the race and to ride in such a manner so as to allow their mounts to be competitive in the race, particularly in the straight.

The race won won by Baavish Soodoo on Makhachev (10-1), who beat Kobeli James Lihaba on the fast-finishing 10-1 shot Spoil Yourself by 1,75 lengths in a time of 123,31 secs for the 2000m. \

The 18-10 tote favourite Blackberry Breeze was a further 0,35 lengths back in third under Girish Dookhit.

Interestingly, the ten participants in the race have close on 2600 race rides between them, which makes the incident more bizarre.

A lightning-fast slip of the tongue saw Jockey Marco van Rensburg charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.26 after winning the eighth on O Space O. He was deemed to have behaved and conducted himself in such a manner which might bring racing into disrepute by using foul language during the post-race interview.

Van Rensburg signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R5000 of which R3000 is suspended for a period of one year.

In considering an appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the context and intent with regard to the words used by Van Rensburg and were of the opinion that no disrespect had been intended and any offence caused was unintentional. A good call as the offending word was frankly hardly audible.

In what appears to be the continuation of a roadshow across the country, the Chairman of the NHA Rules Committee, Mr Robert Bloomberg, met with participating jockeys, Eastern Cape Stipendiary Stewards, the NHA CEO, Mr Vee Moodley and the NHA Legal Executive, Mr Michael Shackleton prior to the racemeeting, to apprise them of the changes to the Constitution and prospective Rule changes pertaining to Inquiry Boards, Inquiry Review Boards and Appeal Boards, the various options available and to answer any relevant questions.

The next Eastern Cape racemeeting is on Friday 30 January.

VAAL SEVENTH –TIN PAN ALLEY WON IT

A close call in the seventh race at the Vaal last Thursday has been queried by a number of Sporting Post readers.

The SA Derby 4 April Pinnacle Stakes saw Sean Tarry’s smart 3yo Tin Pan Alley start an 18-10 favourite in his Gauteng Guineas prep run.

Keagan de Melo had Tin Pan Alley in command, until Calvin Habib launched the 6-1 Money Heist down the inside.

Seasoned race-caller Nico Kritsiotis called Money Heist the winner, but the official photo

shows that Tin Pan Alley got the verdict by 0,05 lengths in a time of 84,37 secs.

Bred by Moutonshoek, Tin Pan Alley races for the Wernars family in partnership with Dayalan Chinsammy.

A R500 000 National 2yo Sale purchase, Tin Pan Alley is by Moutonshoek’s Galileo stallion The United States out of the Querari mare, The Entertainer.

The R1 million Gauteng Gr2 Guineas is run at Turffontein on 7 February and is the first leg of the SA Triple Crown.

ON 7 MAY BLACK SWAN STUD DISPERSAL

Race Coast Sales will host a quality Mixed Sale, incorporating the dispersal of Black Swan Stud, on Thursday 7 May 2026 in Robertson, Western Cape.

The sale will offer a diverse and appealing catalogue, featuring mares, weanlings, yearlings, and horses in training, catering to breeders, owners, and trainers seeking opportunities across all sectors of the industry.

A major drawcard of the sale is the eligibility of the yearlings offered, which will qualify for the Race Coast Sales incentives, including 2027 RCS Slipper, 2028 RCS Mile, and 2028 RCS Sprint.

In addition, these yearlings will be eligible for the Big Cap Slot Race from 2028 onwards,

adding significant future racing value for purchasers.

The inclusion of the Black Swan Stud dispersal presents a rare opportunity to acquire stock from a respected breeding operation, further enhancing the appeal of this important sale on the bloodstock calendar.

Additional information regarding the catalogue and sale details will be released by Race Coast Sales in due course.

SPILLANE’S TOWER SOARS AT CHELTENHAM

There was high drama at Cheltenham on Saturday as ante-post Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino was pulled up in the Group 2 Unibet Hurdle. There was high drama at Cheltenham on Saturday as ante-post Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino was pulled up in the Group 2 Unibet Hurdle.

Sir Gino, the odds-on favourite in a field of four, was racing at the rear of the field when jockey Nico de Boinville felt something amiss around halfway, and the unbeaten runner of seven races did not complete.

Post-race, his trainer Nicky Henderson reported Sir Gino as “comfortable and

stable” after fracturing his pelvis. After being attended to by the on-course veterinary team, he was able to walk into the horse ambulance.

That left the way clear for second favourite The New Lion (9/4) to take full advantage. In a slowly run affair, the JP McManus owned seven-year-old’s class told on climb

up the hill after the last where he got the better long-time leader, The Nemean Lion.

As the one and a half-length winning margin suggests, it was a race that turned into a sprint from the final hurdle, and The New Lion was bouncing back from his sole defeat after a fall in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.

The New Lion was campaigned over two and a half miles as a novice, but with the Champion Hurdle his target this season, his speed at Group 1 level for the opening-day feature was in question.

“We needed to get a clear round after Newcastle,” said winning trainer Dan Skelton. “Harry has done exactly what he wanted to do and held him into the bottom of his hurdles. He was much more respectful of them.”

“However, I was encouraged by the speed he showed from the back of the last. I’ve always said the unanswered question with this horse is that speed angle, and he showed plenty of it today.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Irish raider Spillane’s Tower rediscovered his chasing form, jumping with aplomb to emerge victorious in the Group 2 Cotswold Chase. In doing so he provided leading owner JP McManus with a feature double.

After two comeback runs over hurdles, Jack Kennedy gave trainer Jimmy Mangan’s stable star an inspired ride tracking the veteran L’Homme Presse in another slowly run race.

Kennedy was happy to let L’Homme Presse

bowl along in front, and while the favourite Grey Dawning stalked the leaders in third, his chance ultimately went with a bad mistake at the second last.

Ahead of him Kennedy was cruising coming to the final fence on the well-backed 11/4 second favourite, and while L’Homme Presse did not go down without a fight, he was three-quarters of a length behind at the line.

Mangan said: “We were very confident today with him. Venetia’s (Williams, L’Homme Presse) horse has made him fight; it was no walkover. I suppose you do have to start dreaming of the Gold Cup and he’s in that grade now. We’ll speak to Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP.”

Venetia Williams is also inclined to send her runner-up to the big one after doing all he could to defend his Cotswold Chase crown.

She noted: “If you go back to the King George last season, we were ahead of Spillane’s Tower off levels but we were giving him 6lb today.”

“I think at three out all three horses thought they would go by us but Charlie (Deutsch) wasn’t going too hard all the way round and he had to keep the revs up at that point as he couldn’t afford to let it turn into a sprint which the others might have preferred.”

“He’s a fantastic horse and has never been the easiest to train. I didn’t stop yelling for him all the way up the run-in and I knew if L’Homme Presse was neck-and-neck up the run-in he would have every chance. But in the end the margin remained the same all the way.”

KA YING RISING –RECORD SETTER!

Moments after Ka Ying Rising forged into Hong Kong racing history with a recordequalling win in the HK$13 million Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday 25 January, David Hayes predicted the world’s best sprinter could potentially break Sha Tin’s 1400m course record next month.

Reacting to Ka Ying Rising’s effort to post a 17th consecutive victory to match the winning streak of Silent Witness from 2002 to 2005, Hayes believes the superstar galloper can threaten Sha Tin’s 1400m record of 1m 19.92s – jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod – when he contests the HK$13 million Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 22 February.

“Last year, he worked a bit and won it (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup), and I think he’s a stronger, better horse this year,” Hayes said. “I think he will handle the 1400m beautifully. I’m really excited for the next race. It’s another dimension for him.

A thumbs up from Zac Purton after Ka Ying Rising’s

“Last year, he nearly broke the course record at 1400m, and I think if the conditions are right, he can go close again.”

Ridden by Karis Teetan in last year’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in the absence of regular rider Zac Purton, who was injured, Ka Ying Rising clocked 1m 20.33s.

Ka Ying Rising today clocked 1m 07.66s –outside his own 1200m Sha Tin turf track record of 1m 07.20s – after being allowed to coast to the line in defeating Helios Express by one-and-a quarter lengths with Fast Network a further two lengths back.

Moderately away at the start, Ka Ying Rising quickly mustered speed to lead before Matthew Chadwick drove Beauty Waves to the front. Aware of Luke Ferraris and Lucky With You lurking to his outside, Purton ensured Ka Ying Rising had clear running before unleashing the gelding from the 300m.

Exploding clear, and with the race at his mercy with a four-length lead, Purton eased up noticeably over the final 200m, clocking a modest 11.47s.

“The winning margin wasn’t probably the greatest, but it’s probably the most Zac has ever eased him down,” Hayes said. “So, he had a very easy last 200m and he dominated as the market suggested he would. Just nice to see him do it.”

Ka Ying Rising improved his record to 18 wins from 20 starts and is unbeaten since the 12 February, 2024 with career prizemoney of HK$129.8 million.

Celebrating his fourth win in the race after victories with Aerovelocity (2016), Lucky Sweynesse (2023) and Ka Ying Rising last season, Purton said: “What can I say? We’ve said it all with the horse. I just had to make sure my bloke was in a rhythm. I’m surprised he run the time he run because it didn’t feel like he ran that quick sort of mid-early in the race. Yeah, he just different class.

“I never thought I would see it (a recordequalling 17th win in a row), to be honest. It’s very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far – and let’s hope he can keep going on with it. After Silent Witness, I don’t think anyone thought they would ever see it again. Fortunately for us who are involved with the horse, he’s equalled him and can hopefully put his own benchmark. It’s pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you’re a long way in front, I can tell you. A race is a race. You’ve still got to go out and do it and hopefully he can hold his form, which we will expect he will. He’s got a big race next time, obviously he goes up in distance but he’s up for it.”

Summing up the mood of the six beaten jockeys, Helios Express’ rider Hugh Bowman said: “Another sound, consistent performance. The slower pace didn’t suit, neither does the fast pace when you’re chasing that horse.”

The Centenary Sprint Cup was the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, which also includes the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the HK$24 million Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on 26 April.

A HK$5 million bonus is on offer to the winner of all three legs.

THE STEWARDS’ CUP BUBBLE

WARRIOR BURSTS THE STEWARDS’ CUP BUBBLE

Romantic Warrior vanquished the field to claim a first victory in the HK$13 million Gr1 Stewards’ Cup and launched his bid for the Triple Crown in scintillating style at Sha Tin on Sunday.

A 12th Group 1 success for Romantic Warrior began to look like a foregone conclusion as early as 400m out, as a stock-still in the saddle James McDonald eased up alongside early leader Lucky Sweynesse, with defending Stewards’ Cup champion Voyage Bubble three wide and treading water in his attempts to get after Danny Shum’s eightyear-old, and Mark Newnham’s My Wish stuck in traffic further back in the field.

After eye-balling Manfred Man’s galloper for 100m, James McDonald released the brakes and quickly sent Romantic Warrior clear.

Lucky Sweynesse boxed on gamely to finish second on his debut over the mile course, but the Acclamation gelding continued to pull away, passing the post one-and three-quarter lengths clear of the field. Voyage Bubble was further back in third, with My Wish in a deadheat for fourth – with Sunlight Power – after a

torrid run in transit.

Regular partner McDonald long ago ran out of superlatives to describe “the horse of a lifetime” but was thrilled to claim the Stewards’ Cup at the second attempt.

Romantic Warrior has now won 12 Group 1 contests.

“His demeanour, his courage, his will to win, it’s just in spades,” McDonald said. “It’s incredible. I say it every time, but when he steps out, it’s a privilege to ride such a horse of his calibre. He began really well, and I thought it was going to be pretty smoothly run. But a few picked up, which was quite surprising, and he was always in a nice rhythm. Gate seven out of nine gave us that

opportunity to not force our hand and wait until it settled down, and I knew Voyage Bubble was three deep, and I wasn’t going to give him a cart. He’s been unlucky in the past but bumped into a very good horse. But he’s a warrior,” he added.

Romantic Warrior, who last week was ranked seventh in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, has now won 21 of his 28 starts. The Stewards’ Cup win took his record-extending prize money haul to a staggering HK$247.38 million. Earlier this season, he triumphed for an unprecedented fourth time in the HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

After campaigning overseas for much of the 2024/25 season, connections switched their focus to domestic domination in 2025/26, and the bid to match Voyage Bubble and River Verdon’s feats in becoming the only horses to sweep the Triple Crown is now underway.

The next assignment is back at Romantic Warrior’s favoured trip in the HK$13 million Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup on 1 March. The HK$13 million Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup completes the Triple Crown on 24 May.

“I’m so proud of Romantic Warrior,” said

Shum, expressing his delight at the performance. “He can handle 1600m, 2000, even 2400 – he can handle any distance. We all know 2000 is his best trip, so no problem there. I’ll just keep him happy, keep him healthy – it’s a very easy job for me.”

McDonald, who regularly jets into Hong Kong from Australia to ride Romantic Warrior, agreed it was a perfect way to launch the Triple Crown campaign.

“It’s a long way to go, but, yeah, the first one’s ticked off.”

TO BE LOOKED INTO CHELTENHAM HOLES

Cheltenham’s clerk of the course Jon Pullin defended the decision to stage the final race of Trials day on Saturday after a large hole opened on the track, leading to a lengthy delay and a new track configuration.

The Racing Post reports that the Gr 2 AIS Novices’ Hurdle, which rounded off the eight-race card, started 29 minutes late and concluded four minutes after sunset, meaning conditions were too dark to decipher a photo-finish between Kripticjim and Taurus Bay. Instead, the stewards had to use the video footage before confirming Kripticjim as the winner.

The delay came after a hole, caused by a possible drainage issue, was found in the home straight. Images from Racing TV showed it was deep enough for the whole arm of a member of the groundstaff to disappear into the ground.

An investigation was held by Pullin and the Cheltenham team, with a rail repositioned to bypass the area, and jockeys Gavin Sheehan, Danny Mullins, Nico de Boinville and Sean Bowen, as well as trainers Nicky Henderson, Ben Pauling and Olly Murphy, agreed conditions were safe.

While the Henderson-trained favourite Act Of Innocence was withdrawn, there were no issues in the race with only one horse, The Blue Room, pulled up. The photo-finish, though, could not be used due to poor visibility but the stewards determined the 14-1 shot Kripticjim was a short head in front at the line.

Cheltenham will undertake a thorough investigation of the track ahead of the festival in six weeks.

Pullin, speaking to Racing TV, said: “We

were confident having reassessed the area around there that there was no false ground. It was fresh ground that hadn’t been raced on. It was virtually on to the Old course, which hasn’t been raced on since November. I wouldn’t want to comment at the moment on what the cause is. We need to do some further exploratory work to understand what’s caused it.We very carefully inspected the area that we were due to race over again and both myself and the participants were happy and comfortable that the area we were to race on was safe. We’ll be doing some exploratory work to assess what’s gone on. Firstly, we need time to understand exactly what’s caused this incident. Before we rush into making any other decisions, we need to understand what we’re dealing with here first and that’s what we’ll start with straight away.”

Ben Pauling, the trainer of Taurus Bay, requested to see the stewards’ footage and said it was “conclusive”. He praised the BHA and Cheltenham for ensuring the Grade 2 was not abandoned.

He said: “You can’t see the photo-finish because it’s too dark, so we had to watch the video footage and that was conclusive. There was a question over the technology, so I wanted to see it for myself. There was a hole and at first there was a discussion not to run the race, but races like these are vital for the preparation. Even though we haven’t won, that was the first time our horse has had a battle. He’ll have learned so much and will be ten times better for it.”

Asked about the photo-finish, he replied: “It is what it is. I wanted the race on but it’s too dark for the photo-finish. It was a proper horse race and I’m delighted it went ahead.”

www.racingpost.com

LET’S HELP A RACING MAN

Highveld-based horseracing presenter and tipster, Lyall Cooper is a well-known name within the horseracing fraternity.

Lyall was diagnosed with the onset of diabetes and urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) in October 2023 and his health has progressively worsened.

The Sporting Post has publicised various pleas for help for racing folk over the years and we are very aware that it takes courage to ask for help.

Lyall didn’t request this, but we are using the initiative and putting this out there at the instigation of one of his colleagues.

Lyall writes:

Hi Friends. Is there anyone who can help a little. My health is costing an arm and a leg and even though I have hospital plan and a few people who really have helped me, we’re at a dead end again.

All my procedures require up front portions, Doctors fees, and Medicine. I have been fighting

Cancer and now it’s got to my Prostate as well. I am truly OK and going to live a great life, but funds are restricting my progress.

I literally cannot afford the medicine or the next procedure on the 2nd Feb. Everyone has their own issues in life, hence this is the first time in 3 years, I am writing something. Because of the medical costs my family suffers so badly.

Just basics like food can be unaffordable. I now owe R500 000 to Doctors, medical facilities etc.

That is my problem, but can’t go further without now paying portions upfront. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

I’m not scared of death at all, but am scared of not looking after those who need me. Love you all

Please whatsapp 0829251037 if you can help. L Cooper Capitec Savings Account: 1735730988

Strength Lyall!

FAMILY PAY TRIBUTE TO DES SCOTT

South African racing and breeding lost a giant and a man widely respected by many, when Des Scott passed away earlier this month.

The Scott

Family have published a tribute, which the Sporting Post is privileged to carry.

To our friends, colleagues, and the wider racing fraternity,

The passing of Des Scott on 3 January 2026 marks the loss of a man whose presence in the racing world was defined not by noise or self-promotion, but by substance, integrity, and quiet authority.

For us, he was our father, grandfather and uncle – roles he carried with the same dedication and commitment that characterised his life.

Des’s contribution to the sport, in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and beyond, is well documented and deeply respected.

Alongside his brothers Robin and Neville, Des helped shape a legacy founded on patience, belief in the Thoroughbred, and respect for the people who work within racing.

His achievements spoke for themselves, never seeking the spotlight, yet earning admiration wherever he went.

Those who knew Des closely will recognise that his influence extended far beyond racecourses and results.

He was a highly recognised and respected businessman in South Africa.

In whatever Des achieved during his life, he remained a thoughtful, principled man, deeply loyal, and guided by a strong internal compass.

He valued fairness, kindness, and quiet perseverance, and he treated people with respect regardless of status or acclaim.

As a family, our reflections on Des are deeply personal. They are shaped by love, memory, and loss, and by the understanding that some bonds and losses are best carried quietly. Our enduring memory of Des lies in the values he lived by, values that remain with us and will continue to guide us.

We have been deeply moved by the tributes shared from across the racing and business community. They affirm what we have always known: that Des Scott mattered, that he was respected across continents, and that his legacy rests not only in the record books, but in the hearts of those who truly understood him.

With much love, appreciation and respect,

The Scott Family

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES