SMANJEMANJE MAKES HEADLINES IN LONDON NEWS STAKES

Click above to watch Smanjemanje winning London News Stakes (Gr3)
(Image : JC Photos - Footage : Tellytrack)

LONDON NEWS STAKES (Grade 3)
Turffontein, Turf, 1800m
8 January 2012

Jack Milner
Racing ExpressApprentice Grant van Niekerk appears to have built up a great relationship with Smanjemanje, having now registered a second feature success in three starts on the five-year-old Summerhill Ready To Run graduate.

The Tyrone Zackey-trained Smanjemanje galloped on from midfield to capture the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m on the inside track at Turffontein on Sunday.

Going off at 16-1, he managed to hold off The Apache (28-10) by a head with fellow Summerhill Ready To Run graduate Pierre Jourdan 1.40 lengths back in third. Seal completed the Quartet.

DJ Detzky made the early pace and was closely followed by Queen’s Bay, Ilsanpietro and Smanjemanje. Raymond Danielson had The Apache nearer the back of the field, racing one position off the rail, while Sean Cormack placed Pierre Jourdan on The Apache’s inside.

As they came for home Ilsanpietro was quick to take the lead, but was soon challenged by Seal and Smanjemanje. While The Apache switched out for a run, Pierre Jourdan went to the inside and for a few strides battled to get galloping room. By the time Cormack had urged the favourite through the gap, Smanjemanje and The Apache had built up a useful lead and, despite hanging out in the closing stages, Smanjemanje held on to his advantage.

“He’s done it all himself, he has a big heart,” said Zackey. “I haven’t woken up from his last win in the Victory Moon Stakes. I was worried about the track as I thought it would be too short for him.”

Extract from Racing Express

SMANJEMANJE
Kahal (GB) x In Style by Model Man
5 Year Old Bay Gelding

Owners : George Barker, Kevin Backos and Nadine Backos
Trainer : Tyrone Zackey
Jockey : Grant van Niekerk
Breeder : Summerhill Stud

Win Time : 109.83
Career Record : 5 Wins, 12 Places, 35 Starts
Career Earnings : R776,700

SMANJEMANJE is a graduate from the Summerhill draft of the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale.

RACE RESULTS

#	LBH	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	0.00	SMANJEMANJE	57.0	103	3	* G Van Niekerk	Tyrone Zackey
2	0.10	THE APACHE	60.0	114	6	R Danielson	Gavin van Zyl
3	1.25	PIERRE JOURDAN	58.0	116	1	S Cormack	Gary Alexander
4	1.75	SEAL	57.5	107	2	M Mienie	Gavin van Zyl
5	2.25	ILSANPIETRO (BRZ)	58.0	111	4	J Geroudis	Mike de Kock
6	4.25	GOLDEN SWORD (GB)	55.5	117	9	W Marwing	Mike de Kock
7	5.00	QUEEN’S BAY	54.0	105	5	D David	Mike Azzie
8	7.50	BELMONTE	55.0	87	7	S Brown	Saeed Mohideen
9	13.00	DJ DETZKY	56.0	95	8	G Wrogemann	Louis Goosen
		Late Scratching
10	0.00	DANCEWITHTHEDEVIL	58.0	116	5	G Lerena	St John Gray

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

THERE'S A HORSE FOR EVERYONE...

Smanjemanje - Victory Moon Stakes (Grade 2)
(Photo : JC Photos / Summerhill Stud)

…AT THE READY TO RUN.

Last week it was Pierre Jourdan,
for Gary Alexander in the R600,000 Charity Mile.

This week it was Smanjemanje,
for Tyrone Zackey in the R300,000 Victory Moon Stakes.

Both graduates of the Summerhill Ready To Run programme.

YOU GET ONE MORE CRACK OF THE WHIP.
AT SUMMERHILL 20 FEBRUARY 2012.

Enquiries :
Tarryn Liebenberg +27 (0) 83 787 1982
or email tarryn@summerhill.co.za
www.summerhill.co.za

SMANJEMANJE : FULL MOON VICTORY IN VICTORY MOON STAKES

Click above to watch Smanjemanje winning Victory Moon Stakes (Gr2)
(Image : JC Photos - Footage : Tellytrack)

VICTORY MOON STAKES (Grade 2)
Turffontein, Turf, 1800m
11 November 2011

SMANJEMANJE
Kahal (GB) x In Style by Model Man
5 Year Old Bay Gelding

Owners : George Barker, Kevin Backos and Nadine Backos
Trainer : Tyrone Zackey
Jockey : Grant van Niekerk
Breeder : Summerhill Stud

Win Time : 108.29
Career Record : 4 Wins, 12 Places, 32 Starts
Career Earnings : R601,700 

SMANJEMANJE is a graduate from the Summerhill draft of the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale.

RACE RESULTS

#	LBH	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	0.00	SMANJEMANJE	51.0	97	11	** G van Niekerk (+1.0)	Tyrone Zackey
2	3.75	ILSANPIETRO (BRZ)	60.0	109	7	O Peslier	Mike de Kock
3	4.00	THE APACHE	62.0	114	9	R Danielson	Gavin van Zyl
4	4.75	CAPTAIN SCOTT	51.0	97	8	* JP van der Merwe	Alec Laird
5	5.00	SOUL MASTER	51.0	98	13	F Coetzee	Geoff Woodruff
6	5.75	ICE AXE	54.0	104	5	A Marcus	Charles Laird
7	6.00	RUDRA	60.0	109	15	W Marwing	Mike de Kock
8	8.50	SAGE THRONE	51.0	98	4	M Yeni	Colin Scott
9	8.60	SEAL	59.0	107	14	M Mienie	Gavin van Zyl
10	10.75	ASLAN	56.0	102	1	G Lerena	Sean Tarry
11	11.25	DARK WIND	51.0	96	12	* N Juglall	Mike de Kock
12	12.00	REGAL RANSOM	56.0	102	10	B Lerena	Sean Tarry
13	12.25	HOUSE OF WAX	51.0	96	2	D David	Geoff Woodruff
14	19.00	SIDERA (AUS)	50.0	96	3	* T Appie	Mike de Kock
15	34.00	PERANA (AUS)	55.0	102	6	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
		Late Scratchings
16	0.00	BERRY BLAZE (IRE)	51.5	104	5	** R Fradd (+0.5)	Mike de Kock
17	0.00	GOLD ONYX (NZ)	53.0	96	16	n/a	Sean Tarry
18	0.00	ROMAN WALL	51.0	95	3	n/a	Sean Tarry

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

2010 PEERMONT EMPERORS PALACE CHARITY MILE DRAW

Pierre Jourdan - Joburg Spring Challenge (Gr3)
(Photo : JC Photographics / Summerhill Stud)

PIERRE JOURDAN DRAWS 3 FOR CHARITY MILE

Pierre Jourdan drew at No 3 for the R600,000 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 6 November and his trainer Gary Alexander was delighted with what he described as “a cracking draw”.

“The draw is important over 1600m, especially at Turffontein,” he said. “We’re there for nothing because he won’t have to fight for position. Now we just have to leave it to Andrew (Fortune).”

Alexander added that his star four-year-old’s preparation was going well.

Pierre Jourdan, who has been beaten only twice in his career, made a winning comeback from a long rest in the Joburg Spring Challenge recently and Alexander mused: “It was a surprise when he won, but his class got him through. I’m very happy with him. As an individual he’s getting stronger and bigger all the time. He’s turning over nicely and is on track for the Summer Cup - if he can pull off a win in this race, it’ll be great.”

Pierre Jourdan will run on behalf of the Maphanzela Primary School and will be publicly represented by Bridget Masinga.

Trainer Mike Azzie was not too disappointed when Service Ace drew at No 9, though he said: “I would have liked to be drawn 3, 4, 5, or 6. But nine isn’t a bad draw and he will stay out of trouble from there.”

“Obviously the Summer Cup is his mission, so he’s just short of his best, but I have got him well enough to run a nice race. I want him to come out of the race unscathed and to come on from the run.”

“I wish the graded race committee would give this race back its Grade 1 status because, looking at the field, it deserves it. It is certainly a race I’m keen on winning. I came so close with Imperial Despatch. And if Service Ace did win it, I would be over the moon.”

Service Ace will be represented by Emmanuel Castis and will run for the Peermont Emperors Palace-nominated charity Thembakazi Primary School.

Galanthus’ trainer Tyrone Zackey was also at the draw ceremony and said: “Galanthus is a nice horse and he’s improving daily”.

He confirmed that Galanthus, who was most impressive in winning last week, is still on the upgrade and will be a contender in both Charity Mile and Summer Cup.

The final field in order of number, draw, horse, trainer, jockey, weight, merit rating, media partner, charity and celebrity :

PEERMONT EMPERORS PALACE CHARITY MILE
DRAW AND WEIGHTS

#	Draw	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	KG	MR
1	5	RUDRA	Mike de Kock	K Shea	62.0	112
2	3	PIERRE JOURDAN	Gary Alexander	A Fortune	61.0	112
3	12	GALANTHUS	Tyrone Zackey	G Figueroa	58.5	107
4	9	SERVICE ACE	Michael Azzie	G Lerena	58.5	107
5	4	BULSARA	Gavin Van Zyl	R Danielson	58.0	106
6	13	GALILEO’S GALAXY	Charles Laird	A Marcus	58.0	106
7	17	MASTER BLASTER	Geoff Woodruff	D David	58.0	106
8	14	CAPTAIN SCOTT	Alec Laird	F Herholdt	57.5	105
9	6	ASLAN	Sean Tarry	P Strydom	57.0	104
10	1	HAVASHA	Mike de Kock	R Simons	57.0	104
11	15	ZORBA’S TALE	Lucky Houdalakis	S Khumalo	56.5	103
12	8	VERTICAL TAKEOFF	Sean Tarry	tba	55.5	101
13	7	THANDOLWAMI	Craig Eudey	B Lerena	55.0	100
14	2	ALDERRY	Mike de Kock	A Delpech	54.5	99
15	18	AUTUMN GOLD	Sean Tarry	tba	54.5	99
16	10	IRON WOOD	Alec Laird	JP v’d Merwe	54.0	98
17	16	IRON CURTAIN	Robbie Sage	Reserve 1	53.5	97
18	11	HEADSTRONG	Mike de Kock	Reserve 2	53.5	97

PEERMONT EMPERORS PALACE CHARITY MILE
CHARITIES AND CELEBRITIES

#	Horse	Media	Charity	Celebrity
1	RUDRA	Emperors Palace	Monde Primary School	Gerry Eisdon
2	PIERRE JOURDAN	Emperors Palace	Maphanzela Primary School	Bridget Masinga
3	GALANTHUS	Daily Sun	Othandweni Children’s Home	Pabi Moloi
4	SERVICE ACE	Emperors Palace	Themakazi Primary School	Emmanuel Castis
5	BULSARA	Emperors Palace	Reahle Primary School	Relebongile (Lebo) Mabotja
6	GALILEO’S GALAXY	Emperors Palace	Khangezile Primary School	Sonia Booth
7	MASTER BLASTER	Racing Association	San Michele	Jen Su
8	CAPTAIN SCOTT	Emperors Palace	Mogobeng Primary School	Connie & Shona Ferguson
9	ASLAN	Emperors Palace	Nageng Primary School	Thuli Sithole
10	HAVASHA	The Citizen	Animal Anti-Cruelty Leaugue	Cindy Nell
11	ZORBA’S TALE	Emperors Palace	Umkhathize Primary School	Redi Tihabi
12	VERTICAL TAKEOFF	Emperors Palace	Welamlambo Primary School	Leanne Manas
13	THANDOLWAMI	TAB	Highveld Horse Care Unit	Neil Andrews
14	ALDERRY	Emperors Palace	Fortune Kunene Primary School	Mmabatho Montsho
15	AUTUMN GOLD	Emperors Palace	Izibuko Primary School	Craig Hinds
16	IRON WOOD	Emperors Palace	Jongimfundo Primary School	Brian Mitchell
17	IRON CURTAIN
18	HEADSTRONG

Phumelela Media Release

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.