JACK MILNER : PIERRE JOURDAN'S DAY OF RECKONING

Pierre Jourdan
(Photo : JC Photographics / Summerhill Stud)

THE SA DERBY (GRADE 1)
THE SASCOC SA TRIPLE CROWN CHALLENGE

JACK MILNER : In 2004 the whole of America watched the Belmont Stakes with baited breath as Smarty Jones attempted to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

As the field came for home, jockey Stewart Elliot let him go and the son of Elusive Quality hit the front. The roar from the crowd was deafening as their hero burst into the lead, on the brink of history. But the screams turned into an audible groan as 36-1 shot Birdstone came alongside and then drew off to win.

South African’s will be cheering for their own hero on the aptly named Champions Day on Saturday as Pierre Jourdan attempts to win the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein and become only the second horse in South African history to claim the SASCOC SA Triple Crown. It is impossible to fault his performances up to now.

Gary Alexander has done an exemplary job with the son of Parade Leader and the manner in which he won the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic leads one to believe it will take a top-class performance to lower his colours. “He doesn’t belong to us anymore,’’ said Alexander after his SA Classic victory. “He’s now the people’s horse.’’

Hopefully Pierre Jourdan will have the people’s support in the SA Derby and that many of them will be at Turffontein to cheer him on.

However, a Triple Crown, as Smarty Jones and so many others before him have demonstrated, is not easy to win. To prepare a horse for one race is hard enough. To have him at a peak for three successive races over different distances in a space of two months needs a Herculean effort and a lot of luck. One needs things to go smoothly in every respect.

Fortunately Pierre Jourdan seems an easy horse to train and just seems one of those freak animals who does whatever is necessary to win.

The one reservation is the distance. Will Pierre Jourdan see out the 2450m? A lot of fuss has been made about the pace in the race, but trainer Mike de Kock says that is irrelevant. “He either stays or he doesn’t. A slow pace won’t make him stay. Pierre Jourdan is the class act but this could be a tough race for him to win. There were one or two running at him last time and it’s not going to be a walk in the park.’’

De Kock pointed out his runner, Irish Flame, as well as Roy Magner’s Iwannadance as the horses he believes are Pierre Jourdan’s principle dangers.

Although Pierre Jourdan beat him easily in the SA Classic, Irish Flame stands out as the main threat. The Dynasty colt was not with Mike de Kock for long when he contested the SA Classic and he is sure to improve, especially over this distance. “He’s come on as he’s settled in Joburg,’’ said De Kock yesterday. “The longer he’s up here the better he’s got and for the first time this week, I’m fairly happy with him. I was very happy with his mile run the other day (where he finished a four-length sixth to Regal Ransom). He’s by Dynasty out of a Fort Wood so we have no problem with the distance.’’

Iwannadance was 4.50 lengths off Pierre Jourdan in the Guineas and a fast-finishing, 2.50-length fourth in the SA Classic. He has been getting closer the further they go and over the longer distance, could be a threat.

Then there’s Charles Laird’s Conquered Dream, who seems to be improving with every outing. He was unplaced in his debut but since then has scored three facile victories, including the Listed Derby Trial in which he beat De Kock’s Ilsanpietro by 2.50 lengths.

“Ilsanpietro shows me quite a bit at home but he’s desperate to be gelded,’’ said Mike de Kock. “He is better than his merit rating.’’ If that is the case then Conquered Dream must come into the reckoning.”

Both Mike Azzie’s Service Ace and Ernie Anderson’s Nyakatho were unsuited by the slow pace of the Classic but both trainers believe their runners will do well. Mike Azzie, in fact, rebuffed De Kock’s earlier comment that he felt Service Ace would not stay. “I rate him very highly. One of my fellow trainers suggested in the press this week that he won’t stay. I have news for you, my friend, he will stay every yard of it. He is by Fort Wood. All I can say is ‘Beware the (Azz-)Man’.’’

Ernie Anderson says he is hoping for some rain, which is impossible according to weather forecasts. “He (Nyakatho) is drawn wide and hopefully won’t be too far out of his ground into the home run. I believe the pace was all wrong in his last start - we are hoping for a stronger early pace this time. He is likely to enjoy the extra and I am confident he will mature and come into his own as a four and five-year-old,’’ he said.

And then there is De Kock’s third runner, Happy Valley, who did not disgrace himself when fourth in open company last time, carrying top weight over 2400m at the Vaal. “He ran a good race. He was not well ridden but I’m not sure he has the class to win a Grade 1,’’ said De Kock.

Whatever their thoughts, surely nobody will be too upset if the day belongs to Pierre Jourdan. After all, everybody loves a winner.

Extract from Racing Express

LATEST BETTING
“As at 24 April 2010, 7am”

#	Horse	Current	Opening
1	PIERRE JOURDAN	11/10	1/1
2	IRISH FLAME	4/1	9/2
9	CONQUERED DREAM	6/1	11/2
14	MIRAGE DRIVE	8/1	20/1
5	FLYING TRISTRAM	12/1	6/1
12	ILSANPIETRO	14/1	14/1
3	IWANNADANCE	20/1	12/1
4	SERVICE ACE	20/1	14/1
11	HAPPY VALLEY	33/1	20/1
13	DRAW BRIDGE	80/1	50/1
10	DREAM ISLAND	80/1	66/1
7	NYAKATHO	80/1	50/1
8	FORT PETERSBERG	100/1	66/1
6	SMANJEMANJE	100/1	66/1

Figures courtesy of Betting World

SATURDAY IS DERBY DAY

Turffontein - The Golden Days are back
(Photos : Life/Racingweb/Summerhill Stud)

THE SOUTH AFRICAN DERBY
“THE CRUCIBLE OF OLD”

These are big days on most international racing calendars. At Epsom, in Kentucky, down in Sydney, it’s Derby time, and it’s no different at Turffontein. There was a time in the 1980’s and 90’s, when the obsession of local breeders was all about speed, that the South African Derby despite its great tradition, was beginning to resemble a folk festival staged around plodding young stayers with more courage than class. Not anymore. Certainly not this Saturday. It is the crucible of old.

Enter the new generation stallions, Fort Wood, Jet Master, Western Winter and if you’ll forgive us mentioning a young imposter, Kahal, and the Derby has regained its lustre, the last awesome rite of Autumn. Just this afternoon, Geoff Woodruff labelled this one of the better three year old crops in some time, and he’s got no axe to grind. It’s arguable that, in terms of depth, we could be looking at one of the best Derby fields in decades, and they’re probably better trained, given the depth of our professionals, than any field in history.

For obvious reasons, we’re penning this note for one reason, and one reason alone. Of more than 500 starters since the inauguration of the Triple Crown, only 5 horses (1%) stood a chance of challenging for the pot of gold. Only two, the spectacular Horse Chestnut, and our new hero, Pierre Jourdan stood a chance of winning. Is it possible Pierre Jourdan is in the same league? “He’s getting closer” proffers his trainer, “he’s getting closer”. Gary Alexander is not about to swap a memory for a possibility, but he is beginning to taste the possibility.

When “PJ” left the mounting yard on Classic Day, Alexander was quick to say “No excuses today”. He didn’t need any. Destiny came rushing up to embrace his horse. The banter is always in the mounting yard. Other side the stand, the bookies behave like the cold accountants they are. Forget comparisons with Horse Chestnut and all that sentimental guff. Just shorten the odds before some bunny gets on.

So dust off your spats, whip the crinolene down to the cleaners, and head for Turffontein in all its Autumnal finery. Saturday the golden days are back. The likes of Pierre Jourdan, Irish Flame, Iwannadance, Service Ace, Flying Tristam, Smanjemanje, Nyakatho, Fort Petersburg, Conquered Dreams, Happy Valley and Mirage Drive, have guaranteed that.

All can play, all can win. The difference this time is simply that if a “pleb” scores, he will have to beat a half dozen patricians to get there. But if “PJ” takes the “Crown”, the carousing could be riotous. The Alexanders are known for the quality of their cellar.

Best dust off the silver-tipped cane as well as the spats!

SA DERBY 2010 : FINAL FIELD

R1,5 Million SA DERBY (Grade 1)
Turffontein 2450m
24 April 2010

(3rd Leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown)

FINAL FIELD

No	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	PIERRE JOURDAN	57.0	112	3	D David	Gary Alexander
2	IRISH FLAME	57.0	106	6	K Shea	Mike de Kock
3	IWANNADANCE	57.0	105	9	S Chambers	Roy Magner
4	SERVICE ACE	57.0	104	1	G Lerena	Mike Azzie
5	FLYING TRISTRAM (AUS)	57.0	103	5	J Geroudis	Charles Laird
6	SMANJEMANJE	57.0	102	10	S Khumalo	Tyrone Zackey
7	NYAKATHO	57.0	101	11	S Brown	Ernie Anderson
8	FORT PETERSBERG	57.0	98	13	B Lerena	Dominic Zaki
9	CONQUERED DREAM (AUS)	57.0	96	14	A Marcus	Charles Laird
10	DREAM ISLAND	57.0	92	2	M V’Rensberg	Stuart Pettigrew
11	HAPPY VALLEY (ARG)	57.0	91	7	M Yeni	Mike de Kock
12	ILSANPIETRO (BRZ)	57.0	89	12	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
13	DRAW BRIDGE	57.0	88	4	G Wrogemann	Robbie Sage
14	MIRAGE DRIVE	57.0	87	8	G Figueroa	Tyrone Zackey

TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT : THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES

Smanjemanje
(Photo : JC Photographics)

IF YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION. JOIN THE CHAMPIONS.

The World Cup meeting in Dubai today dispenses something of the order of US$26,5 million, making it the richest meeting in the world. Summerhill-bred Imbongi lines up in the Dubai Duty Free, which commands US$5 million of that sum.

On a somewhat smaller scale, but just as significant in South African terms, four Summerhill-breds line up for ZAR2million in today’s SA Classic Gr1 at Turffontein. That’s a colossal twenty five percent of the total field, and it probably helps to explain why Summerhill is as far ahead in the Breeder’s log as it is. Interestingly, apart from the hot favourite Pierre Jourdan, they include Havasha, Smanjemanje and Nyakatho each of whom enjoyed honourable mention among the hopefuls for this career-defining event. 

Both Pierre Jourdan and Fisani, who lines up for the ZAR1million SA Fillies Classic following her heroic victory in last month’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas, are the Sporting Post’s selections for their respective races. They’re by no means past the post though, as these are two of the most competitive renewals of these races in many a year. (Click: Charl Pretorius’ www.racingweb.co.za and  www.sportingpost.co.za)

All we can say, is that having twenty-five percent of any field of such prestige, lends credence to our often quoted jingle, “If you want to be a Champion. Join the Champions.”

For more information please visit :
www.summerhill.co.za

SOUTH AFRICA ABUZZ WITH SASCOC TRIPLE CROWN FEVER

Pierre Jourdan
(Photo : JC Photographics) 

R2,000,000 SA CLASSIC (Gr1)
Turffontein 1800m Turf
27 March 2010

There is always a buzz around when a horse capable of achieving great things bursts onto the racing scene and Pierre Jourdan looks to be one of those stars in the making.

Jack Milner writes that it is 11 years since Horse Chestnut became the one and only winner of the SA Triple Crown and many pundits believe Gary Alexander’s charge could follow in his footsteps. However, Pierre Jourdan has still got a lot of work to do.

Pierre Jourdan, a R60,000 purchase from the Summerhill draft at the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale, took his first step towards securing the R2million Triple Crown bonus by winning the Gauteng Guineas over 1600m on 28 February. His second step, and possibly his toughest, comes at Turffontein Saturday when he contests the R2million SA Classic over 1800m. This is probably the most competitive of the three races, with arguably the strongest line-up of the three.

Should he take victory on Saturday, Pierre Jourdan will then need to win the SA Derby over 2450m on 24 April to claim the SASCOC Triple Crown and secure his name alongside those of racing’s immortals.

“I have always been of the opinion that Pierre Jourdan would prefer the 1800m trip and I am confident of a big run again on Saturday,” said Gary Alexander yesterday. “Whether he will stay the 2450m trip only Saturday will tell. Personally I think he should.”

It is hard to oppose Pierre Jourdan for the SA Classic. He has done nothing wrong, having won five out of six starts and losing the other by the narrowest of margins to fellow Ready To Run graduate, Havasha, who could be his chief rival once more.

There is no question about Pierre Jourdan’s ability but there does remain some doubt about his ability to stay 1800m. Being by Parade Leader there are no stamina doubts on his sire’s side but his dam, the Qui Danzig mare Vin Fizz, only won distances between 1000m and 1400m.

However, the manner in which he took the Gauteng Guineas, coming from a long way back to mow down the opposition, indicates the distance should be no problem. He beat eight of his opposition easily in the Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein and it is hard to make a case for any of them turning it around.

Of the seven newcomers, only three look to have the class needed to win a race of this nature and they are all trained by Mike de Kock. The impression from De Kock and assistant trainer John Buckler, is that Ancestral Fore and Irish Flame may need their runs here while Happy Valley may lack experience.

“Ancestral Fore has not been here too long,” said Buckler, “but he’s been putting up good work at home. It’s difficult to assess his chances on the big day but his main objective is the SA Derby.”

“Irish Flame is another who has not been here too long. Since arriving on the Highveld he has put up some good work and he does have a favourable draw. We are expecting a good run from him and we will know a lot more about him after this race.”

He added that Happy Valley, who has won both of his starts to date, was yet to arrive in Johannesburg from Durban. The grey may not have beaten anything of note but he could not have been more impressive in his victories.

The draw is another concern for Pierre Jourdan and young rider Derreck David as he will have to jump from barrier No 14. Gary Alexander, though, pointed out that in the Gauteng Guineas his charge found himself cut off from a good draw and over 1800m at Turffontein, especially if there is a good pace from the start, the draw should not prove fatal.

The Mike de Kock runners have to be his main dangers but based on the stable comments, one has to be with Havasha. “He has a wide draw to overcome again this time but he is fit and he is looking good. He should be right there,’’ said Buckler.

Havasha should also prefer the extra ground as his dam Juniper Berry, ironically trained by Gary Alexander, won over 2400m. Havasha has Piere Strydom in the irons and he should go closer than the 2.75 lengths he was beaten in Guineas.

Look out too for the outsiders, Ernie Anderson’s Nyakatho and Tyrone Zackey’s Smanjemanje, two more products of Summerhill’s 2008 Ready To Run crop. Anderson was distraught after the Guineas as his runner suffered serious interference and had to drop to last and come again. He did remarkably well to finish just six lengths back.

One should also not forget that in January he flew late to run Dingaans winner Curved Ball to half a length and a repeat of that run will see him at least finish in the places.

Galileo’s Galaxy has been most consistent having finished second in the Dingaans and the Cape Guineas, and then third in the Gauteng Guineas. However, it is hard to see Charles Laird’s runner turning around his Guineas defeat by Pierre Jourdan and Havasha, although he should be somewhere in the firing line.

Pierre Jourdan’s prospects of winning his first Grade 1 race only adds to the anticipation of what should be a brilliant day’s racing with no less than seven feature races including the SA Fillies Classic (Gr1), HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Gr1), Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr3), Protea Stakes (Gr3), Man O’ War Sprint (Gr3) and the Caradoc Gold Cup (Gr3). The first race goes off at 1.45pm, the SA Classic at 4.45pm and the final event is scheduled to be run at 8.30pm.