THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE FANCY PARENTS...

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE
7 NOVEMBER 2010 

When it comes to tales, the Ready To Run is a whopper. Of triumph over adversity, of “plebs” over patricians, of David against Goliath. It is racing in its democratic perfection, best illustrated in the outcomes of this month’s Joburg Spring Stakes. The Colts’ version was won in imperious style by a R60,000 buy, the Fillies’ by a million Rand diva by the world’s best stallion. Pierre Jourdan was the hero of last year’s “Cup”, Igugu the favourite for this year’s.

But Pierre Jourdan isn’t that big, his parents aren’t that famous, and he didn’t cost that much as a youngster. Yet he’s by some distance his father’s most talented son. Like any number of Ready To Run stars, he comes from a “less fashionable” background, in the same way as Imbongi, Hear The Drums, Phunyuka, Winning Leap, Dynamite Mike, Catmandu, Thandolwami, and Fanyana. The best racehorses their fathers ever produced. They just happened to have the best upbringing of a racehorse known to man.

Reality is, there’s a horse for everyone in the Ready To Run, especially if you’re willing to back your own judgement.

RECENT SUMMERHILL READY TO RUN GRADUATES
BY COST AND EARNINGS

GRADUATE	PRICE (ZAR)	EARNINGS (ZAR)
IMBONGI **	140,000	8,841,375
PIERRE JOURDAN	60,000	3,299,435
DESERT LINKS **	110,000	2,376,611
BIANCONI **	87,000	1,899,315
HEAR THE DRUMS	40,000	1,866,063
ICY AIR	60,000	1,264,905
AMPHITHEATRE	30,000	1,203,826
CATMANDU	60,000	1,026,100
DISAPPEAR	160,000	970,530
FORK LIGHTENING	75,000	965,962
SMANGALISO	100,000	947,950
PHUNYUKA	90,000	917,650
OUTCOME	150,000	738,670
FANYANA	95,000	717,495
BRIGADIER PARKER	47,000	682,790
BHEKINKOSI	65,000	680,075
MAJESTIC SUN	70,000	631,476
DYNAMITE MIKE	50,000	629,750
ALEJATE	80,000	613,625
PARIS TO PEKING	145,000	580,057
UMNGAZI	180,000	502,680
MANNEQUIN	80,000	455,150

** Includes Earnings Abroad

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

WIDE OPEN BETTING WORLD 1900

R350,000 BETTING WORLD 1900 (Grade 2)
Greyville, Turf, 1900m
21 May 2010

David ThiseltonThe Grade 2 Betting World 1900 to be run at Greyville tonight (Friday May 21) is a traditional Vodacom Durban July pointer, although it has latterly been a race used either for borderline horses to try and qualify or as a preparation run for those who are just behind the big guns. The only winners in the last ten runnings of the race to have gone on to place in the July have been River Jetez in 2008 and Tytola in 2001.

River Jetez is probably the classiest runner to have lined up for this race in the last few years and following her example the winner could be Fort Vogue, who finished just a length back in the J&B Met and is also trained by Mike Bass. Bass said, “Fort Vogue galloped very well two weeks back with Pocket Power. He has not raced since the Met, and it has been difficult for me to pick and find the right races for him. He is working very well but I suspect he may just need this race a little bit, however on his current work I expect him to run very well.” The Bass horses have been in magnificent form in Durban so far this Champions Season.

The Sean Tarry-trained Silvano gelding, Aslan, has only had one run since since his Summer Cup win and finished a 3,25 length fourth to subsequent Champions Challenge winner, Regal Ransom, and in front of subsequent SA Derby winner Irish Flame. He is a courageous sort who fights on resolutely in the straight and will be improving as a four-year-old. He is drawn well and his Summer Cup rider, Felix Coetzee, is aboard. Tarry said, “He won’t be fully fit but a lot of the runners will be in the same boat.”

Speed For Gold from the flying Dennis Drier yard is over the niggles that kept him off the course for over a year and is working like a bomb at home, although he is quite widely drawn. He was a fast finishing 0,75 length second in the Listed Sledgehammer last time from a wide draw and is now 1kg better off with Robinson Crusoe. Drier said, “If it wasn’t for his draw I would make him a huge runner, but I still make him a big runner.”

The Paul Lafferty-trained Goat is a small filly with a big heart and has become a KZN favourite. She has a good turn of foot and stays further than this and Lafferty was hoping that his front-running reserve runner Sports Factor would get in. “We don’t want to be caught in behind them going at a canter,” he said.

Stuart Randolph followed Glen Kotzen’s instructions perfectly on Robinson Crusoe in the Sledgehammer by rousting him early to get into a position as he likes to drop himself out from where he can lose interest. So the key to his best form has been found and he should be a big runner from a nice draw.

Caymen Island surprised the Yogas Govender yard in the Sledgehammer when needing the run from a wide draw and finishing third. Byron Forster said, “That is encouraging unless he is a sort who prefers running fresh. He’s doing well but this is his biggest test to date.”

Mike de Kock said that Bold Silvano had been “showing him nothing at home. Apparently he’s always been a bad workhorse, but I don’t know what to expect although he is looking good,” said De Kock.

The Gavin van Zyl-trained Bouquet-Garni ran a fine race in his penultimate start when beating Aslan over 1600m. Van Zyl said, “He’s a funny horse whose been in and out, but the key is to get him relaxed in behind horses.”

Thandolwami was cut into in the Sledgehammer and didn’t find his normal acceleration. Craig Eudey said he’d been freshened up for this race and was expecting a good run.

Frank Robinson said that Strategic News is not at his peak and would come on from the run. The selection is Fort Vogue to win it from Aslan, Speed For Gold, Goat and Robinson Crusoe.

FINAL FIELD

#	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	IVORY TRAIL	60.0	112	8	A Fortune	Joey Ramsden
3	FORT VOGUE	58.5	109	4	B Fayd’Herbe	Mike Bass
4	OMAHA BEACH	58.0	108	6	B Lerena	Joey Ramsden
5	STRATEGIC NEWS (AUS)	57.0	106	1	*J Jordaan	Herman Brown
6	ASLAN	56.0	104	2	F Coetzee	Sean Tarry
7	THANDOLWAMI	56.0	104	13	R Danielson	Craig Eudey
9	GOAT	54.5	101	11	A Marcus	Paul Lafferty
10	NOBLEWOOD	54.0	100	14	G Schlechter	Stephen Page
11	SPEED FOR GOLD	54.0	100	12	A Forbes	Dennis Drier
12	BOLD SILVANO	53.5	104	9	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
13	BOUQUET-GARNI	53.5	99	17	G Lerena	Gavin van Zyl
14	CAYMEN ISLAND	53.5	99	15	D David	Yogas Govender
15	ROBINSON CRUSOE	53.5	99	7	S Randolph	Glen Kotzen
16	DANISH SILVER	52.0	94	16	D Daniels	Yogas Govender
17	GRISHAM	52.0	90	10	M Yeni	Mike Bass
18	SPORTS FACTOR	52.0	89	18	*A Domeyer	Paul Lafferty
	Late Scratchings
2	MOKARO	60.0	112	5	*A Domeyer	Stephen Page
8	HAVASHA	54.5	106	3	K Shea	Mike de Kock

IT’S ALL IN THE UPBRINGING

Oochee Agent - Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr3)
(Photo: JC Photographics / Summerhill Stud)

FROM THE PEN OF JUDGE ALAN MAGID

The weekend’s happenings prompted regular commentator and long-time Summerhill client, Judge Alan Magid to write:

“I should have realised I wouldn’t beat the blog to the “HEAR THE DRUMS” and “PIERRE JOURDAN” stories but still, what a couple of days for Summerhill!

Apart from them, my eagle eye has spotted several other Summerhill-bred winners which deserve mention.

What about “DIVINE SECRET”, “OOCHEE AGENT” (G3 winner - but what a revolting name, for which I suppose Mick was responsible; worse even than “COCOCAT”), and “SUPERFEDERATION”, not to
mention “IMBONGI” in Dubai. Jolly good show!

I have previously enquired how Summerhill manages to produce horses like the Fabricius and Alexander champions on what appears to me to be the only visits by a Summerhill mare to, respectively, “GOLD PRESS” and “PARADE LEADER”, unless, of course, you bought the mares in foal”. End of quote.

Editors note : It’s no coincidence, or at least that’s the way we see it, that Summerhill has also raised some of the best runners by other “outside” stallions, (notably ten-time winner and triple Group One performer, Fanyana, by Alami, and Group One performer, Thandolwami by Woodborough) which tells us what we’re doing on the farm is a significant contributor to the outcomes we’re seeing at the races.

Summerhill’s commanding lead in the Breeder’s log at present has only a little to do with genetics, and a whole lot to do with the way we farm, the way we feed, the quality of our people and the environment in which we operate.

We have constantly pushed the envelope in our search to find new and better ways of doing things, and the more we push, the more we find ourselves getting away from the old British methods our forefathers employed as a matter of habit, as we embrace the attributes of this great continent, and more specifically, our own area.

SOUTH AFRICAN BREEDERS LOG

STUD	EARNINGS	AEPR
Summerhill Stud	14,051,362	58,547
Normandy Stud	4,713,875	70,356
Lammerskraal Stud	4,394,500	49,376
Maine Chance	3,957,000	35,649
Highlands	3,861,962	31,655
Wilgerbosdrift	3,713,150	44,737
D Cohen & Sons	3,711,387	30,421
Ascot Stud	3,700,500	38,953
The Alchemy	3,485,075	47,096
Klawervlei Stud	3,477,825	23,985

Sporting Post as at 31 March 2010

SUMMERHILL PROSPECTS FOR THE VODACOM JULY

Catmandu and Outcome
(Photo : Gold Circle/Summerhill)

“Thandolwami, Catmandu and Outcome -The Summerhill Soldiers”

Earlier this week, you read our piece on Thandolwami, and Craig Eudey’s remarks on his chances. One thing you’ve got to give Craig, he’s true to the saying “you cant get a good man down” and we know from our own discussions with him, he’s as bullish as anyone could be, taking on a horse of Pocket Power’s potency.

We have two other horses in the field however, and Outcome’s trainer, Michael Miller, is on record as saying that wherever River Jetez finshes, Outcome will be all over her. We had River Jetez’ trainer, Mike Bass and his wife Carol here over the weekend, and Mike thinks she has a live chance of lifting the silver. So if Mike Miller’s right, and Mike Bass is right, this could just turn out the Year of the Filly.

Our other representative, Catmandu, comes to Durban under the tutelage of Andre Kirsten. He has to be one of the unluckiest horses in training, as he has a number of Group One performances under his belt, yet he remains a maiden as far as Feature race victories are concerned. Last year, we fancied him to kill in the July, expecting him to run right on the money, but he looked a somewhat tired horse in the finish, after a long and arduous campaign.

His form this year has been a little more in-and-out, yet if he gets his lines right, he’s a runner, no doubt about it. We spoke to Andre Kirsten this morning and he reported that Catmandu arrived in good shape in Durban yesterday, and with the weight difference this year, he must have a shout.

So who will win the Vodacom Durban July

 

“David Thiselton lays down his Vodacom Durban July selections”

With July Fever building to what promises to be a massive crescendo come Vodacom Durban July Raceday tomorrow; trainers, jockey and owners alike will be feeling the “butterflies”.

Top turf writer David Thiselton reports that Mike Bass, the experienced three-time July winning trainer of the great Pocket Power, who is ruling favourite, would probably have slept well, knowing he has done all he can, while the Fayd’Herbe brothers, jockey Bernard and assistant trainer Robert, will be united in spirit as they approach the final hurdle of the mighty horse’s winter campaign.

The Bass yard has two strings to its bow this July as Pocket Power’s full-sister, River Jetez, is said by the trainer to be twice the horse she was last year.

Pocket Power has had a better preparation than ever for this year’s big race and seems to be as good as ever despite his age. He and his sister could well fight out the finish, although River Jetez’s draw of 15 is a concern for supporters.

Big City Life has been described by his trainer Glen Kotzen as a “freak”, who gets better and better all the time.

Big City Life is a three-year-old and is 1,5kg under sufferance, but the form of his only meeting with Pocket Power suggests he has a great chance.

Kapil can beat Pocket Power too if the form of their last meeting is taken literally, although there is a question mark over whether he will stay the 2 200m. It should also be borne in mind that Pocket Power usually does just enough to win no matter the weight he’s carrying.

Our Giant also has a stamina doubt, but with that doubt in mind could not have asked for a better draw than two.

Tropical Empire is trained by Duncan Howells, whose knowledge of big race preparations was influenced by the great trainer, David Payne.

Duncan Howells has won two Grade 1 races with similarly priced horses and Tropical Empire’s draw of one is ideal for his style of running, which is to come with a flying finish.

Thandolwami is a similar type of horse to Tropical Empire and has also drawn well, so he should be running on strongly at the finish.

However, with both Tropical Empire and Thandolwami, it should be borne in mind that only the top six numbered horses are in the handicap i.e. fairly weighted according to their merit rating. The rest are under sufferance.

Smart Banker showed at the July gallops that he will be suited to Greyville. He has improved tremendously this season and is a definite contender, although Charles Laird’s stable jockey, Anton Marcus, switched to Our Giant after Smart Banker was allocated a wide draw.

Ruling champion trainer Mike De Kock has three youngsters in the race.

Zirconeum and Forest Path have stamina doubts and their very wide draws won’t help. Bouquet-Garni will need a strong pace as he is a big, galloping type and might not have the turn of foot required off a slower pace.

Outcome has won ten times at Greyville. Any rainfall will be bad news for her. She looks capable of staying the distance and her form makes her one of the best outsiders.

Likeithot has popped up at big prices in big races before and his July gallop last week suggested he should peak at the right time for this race.

Buy And Sell is loaded with ability but is not too reliable and his form appears to be declining slightly.

Catmandu is capable of producing a devastating finish so could be an outside contender if close enough at the top of the straight.

London Guest enjoys this track and does just enough when he wins, so there is some hope for him in his first attempt in this company.

Aluminium has been supported in the betting but as a resolute galloper does not look suited to Greyville.

The rest can’t be fancied on form.

The selection is Pocket Power to beat home Big City Life and River Jetez, with Kapil and Our Giant next best.