Around the world with the kids from South Africa

[my miss storm cat]

RACE 7:Grade 1 VodaCom Durban July (R3 000 000) 2200m Bend

POCKET POWER

OUR GIANT

BUY AND SELL

KAPIL

SMART BANKER

RIVER JETEZ

BIG CITY LIFE

TROPICAL EMPIRE

FOREST PATH

LIKEITHOT

ALUMINIUM

CATMANDU

THANDOLWAMI

BOUQUET-GARNI

METEOR SHOWER

THUNDERING JET

LONDON GUEST

OUTCOME

ZIRCONEUM

* * *

Pocket Power / Kapil / Zirconeum, Big City Life or Our Giant

[my miss storm cat]

Since all the focus is on Pocket Power, thought I'd post this (... no author listed)...

http://www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za/rnews0913.html

KAPIL BOUNCES BACK FROM BROKEN LEG

Kapil would have seemed an unlikely runner, let alone winner, of the Vodacom Durban July back on the day in 2005 when he fractured his leg, but some three-and-a-half years later he is fancied by a few to be wearing the victor’s sash late on Saturday afternoon.

The Stan Elley-trained six-year-old Jallad gelding had won his first two starts as a juvenile but returned one morning from the training tracks extremely lame.

It was discovered that he had fractured a hind pastern.

“He had two pins inserted and then had to stay in his box for three months,” recalled Elley. “It is an operation that has a reasonably high rate of success.”

Kapil began walking after the three month box rest and was then slowly brought back into work.

"He returned to the racecourse after an eight month break 100% sound and won his first comeback race,” said Elley.

Kapil is chiefly remembered for his outstanding performance in the 2006 KZN Guineas at Greyville, in which he faced a highly regarded crop of three-year-olds that included two subsequent July winners, Eyeofthetiger and Hunting Tower.

A howling tail wind blew down the straight throughout the racemeeting that day and it seemed that frontrunners would be favoured, contrary to Kapil’s style which has always been characterised by a flying finish from well off the pace.

Garth Puller ignored the pundits and the trends of the earlier races and had Kapil in last pace turning for home at which point the horse produced one of the more memorable finishes in Greyville history, mowing them down to win by 1,25 lengths.

Kapil was then sent out favourite for the Gold Challenge at Clairwood but was beaten into second by the multiple Grade 1 winner, National Spirit.

It was in that race that Elley believed his soundness issues began.

“He pecked half-way around the turn and returned with a sore back,” said Elley. “I have a very good chiropractor who has treated his back since then.”

Currently, Kapil tends to jar up in his races. Elley said the reason is simply because of his age.

“For a Jallad he actually has good legs,” he added.

Elley keeps him to the sand in his workouts these days to protect his legs.

Kapil spent his four-year-old and part of his five-year-old years in Dubai, Hong Kong and the U.K., where he finished third in a Group 2 race in Dubai before coming fifth in the Dubai Duty Free, which at that stage was the joint-richest turf race in the world.

He has earned a cheque in every one of his six start since returning to South Africa, although he has not won any of them.

In his last race he finished just 1,25 lengths back in second to Pocket Power in the Gold Challenge over 1600m. He will face him on 5,5kg better terms in the July which makes him a huge runner on paper.

However, he is a horse with plenty of speed who is at his best over a mile and there is a doubt about him staying the 2200m of the July. Pundits seem divided on the issue.

In the J&B Met, run over 2000m, he ran on well to finish fourth despite having been baulked twice in the straight. On that evidence he might see out the 2200m and a further positive is that he switches off almost completely in the running.

Kapil was allocated an almost perfect draw of five for the July.

“I will leave the tactics to Piere Strydom,” said Elley, who added that once the July field jumps the importance of a good draw seems to vanish out of the window.

Kapil has always been a character.

“He has a very nice nature, but you have to be very alert with him as he’s playful,” explained Elley. “His groom Johnson Ngozi has learnt to sit very tight on him for the moment you relax he will try and throw you off. He can also nip when you are not expecting it. Myself and Garth (Puller) have told Piere everything he needs to know about him.”

Of the dangers on Saturday Elley said that he had always liked River Jetez and made her a huge runner at the weights, although he added that he also had “massive respect” for Pocket Power.

He didn’t believe River Jetez’s draw of 15 would be much of a problem due to the experience of Glen Hatt and it would also help her to stay out of trouble.

Elley has trained for 35 years and does not have sleepless nights before a big race anymore, realising that he has “done all he can and what happens will happen.”

He revealed an interesting statistic in that two of his most loyal owners, James Drew and Mike Fullard, who are part-owners of Kapil, have had 199 winners in their ownership careers.

What better race to get the 200th than in the Vodacom Durban July.

* * *

Awww this sucks.

RUSSIAN SAGE WILL MISS THE ARLINGTON MILLION
(from SAracing, no author)



Russian Sage unfortunately will definitely miss his engagement in the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes the first week of August in the United States, as a minor hoof ailment set him back after his arrival in England, confirms trainer Mike de Kock from his yard in Newmarket.

Barry Irwin said "Naturally, we are disappointed not to be able to bring the colt over for the Million, as we feel that both the 10-furlong distance and the galloping nature of the Arlington Park layout would suit him. However, we are very happy that Mike has him going the right way again and look forward to seeing him in action at York."

Russian Sage instead will make his next start on August 21 in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes going 9 furlongs at York in a race in which he carries no penalty for being a Group 1 winner.

The Champion Colt at 3 in his native South Africa and a double Grade 1 winner including the Cape of Good Hope Derby, Russian Sage ran well without winning in a pair of starts in Dubai over the winter, but he bled from both nostrils when subsequently unplaced in the Grade 1 Duty Free.

A lot of horses suffered from respiratory ailments in the United Arab Emirates over the winter because of the dust kicked up from nearby construction and Russian Sage was among many first-time bleeders on World Cup night.

De Kock, who won last weekend's Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket with another South African import in Imbongi, confirmed that the change in venue has had a dramatically beneficial impact on his horses from the desert.

"The horses in England are just so different to what they were in Dubai," he said. "I am confident we will see the best of Russian Sage there."

Russian Sage as of now has no long-term game plan, as the interruption in his training schedule has waylaid any definite schedule. "Right now, we are more interested in getting the colt back on track than in mapping out any long-term plans," Irwin said. "Right now, all options will be considered. He is owned by an international group racing men and woman that have as their ultimate goal standing him at stud. We will carefully watch and assess his run in the Strensall and then come up with a more definite game plan. We could be looking at races in the United Kingdom and Europe, a trip to the United States, or a foray to Hong Kong with a possible return to Dubai. We'll play it by ear for now."

The Group win by Imbongi last week heartened Team Valor International's racing partners, as that colt finished just behind Russian Sage when he dead-heated with Jay Peg for second in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta in Dubai. Imbongi got the better of Russian Sage when they met over a mile in the Grade 2 Guineas in Durban last year at 3. The form shown by these two colts is a great advertisement for South Africa," Irwin said. "We feel that over 9 or 10 furlongs that Russian Sage can make an impact where ever Mike runs him."

* * *

SA Racing (no author listed)...

DOUBLE BLOW FOR SHEA AS ARCHIPENKO SCRATCHED



Archipenko has been ruled out of Saturday's Coral-Eclipse.

The South African entire, a general 14-1 chance to win the Sandown showpiece, has a swollen fetlock.

Juan Nel, assistant to trainer Mike de Kock, said: "It's a race we've been targeting for a long time and it's very hard to take. We discovered the problem early on Thursday morning and it's a huge disappointment."

He added: "We haven't had a full prognosis yet, so we're a little bit in the dark in terms of when he'll be back.

"It's a huge blow, but that's racing."

Archipenko, a Group One winner in Hong Kong, was last seen in action on these shores winning the Ascot Summer Mile last July.

It is double blow for international Jockey Kevin Shea, who took the mount in England and hence misses the biggest race in Africa, the Vodacom July, a race he won last year when Dancer's Daughter deadheated with Pocket Power.

[my miss storm cat]

Results...

Guess he just didn't have it today ... cheers to Big City Life.

GE930 - Race 7 - R3M - VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)
Open to all Horses - 2200m
No Horse Jockey Al/Bl Kg Dr Fin Dist Time OP SP Prev
7 BIG CITY LIFE Greg Cheyne A 51.0 10 1 0.00 135.55 11-2 11-2 GE858
20 ZIRCONEUM Anthony Delpech A 50.0 19 2 0.75 135.69 25-1 55-1 GE857
9 FOREST PATH Warren Kennedy A 51.0 20 3 2.00 135.93 50-1 100-1 GE858
16 THUNDERING JET Muzi Yeni A 51.0 3 4 2.75 136.07 100-1 70-1 GE856
1 POCKET POWER Bernard Fayd'Herbe A 58.0 12 5 2.85 136.09 2-1 12-10F CD877
4 KAPIL Piere Strydom A 52.5 5 6 3.35 136.18 6-1 11-2 CD877
2 OUR GIANT (AUS) Anton Marcus A B 55.0 2 7 3.50 136.21 16-1 15-1 CD877
6 RIVER JETEZ Glen Hatt A 51.5 15 8 3.75 136.26 4-1 7-1 CD877
12 CATMANDU Kevin Derere A B 51.0 8 9 5.00 136.50 50-1 50-1 GE811
8 TROPICAL EMPIRE (AUS) Brandon Lerena A 51.0 1 10 5.75 136.64 12-1 15-1 GE811
17 CAPE TOWN Karis Teetan *0.0 A 51.0 4 11 5.85 136.66 66-1 66-1 CD876
13 THANDOLWAMI Raymond Danielson A 51.0 7 12 5.95 136.68 33-1 55-1 GE811
11 ALUMINIUM (ARG) Deon Sampson A 51.0 18 13 6.00 136.69 25-1 55-1 TN1070
3 BUY AND SELL Felix Coetzee A 53.0 13 14 7.00 136.88 40-1 50-1 CD877
14 BOUQUET-GARNI M J Byleveld A 51.0 14 15 7.25 136.93 33-1 75-1 SV903
5 SMART BANKER Brian Nyawo A 52.5 17 16 9.00 137.26 16-1 22-1 GE854
19 OUTCOME Gerrit Schlechter A B 50.0 9 17 9.05 137.27 66-1 75-1 GE768
10 LIKEITHOT Alec Forbes A 51.0 16 18 10.05 137.46 50-1 60-1 GE854
18 LONDON GUEST Derryl Daniels A 51.0 11 19 11.80 137.80 66-1 80-1 SV751
15 METEOR SHOWER (IRE) Kelvin Jupp A B 51.0 6 20 15.55 138.53 150-1 125-1 CD876

[my miss storm cat]

“What a great run,'' said Mike de Kock. “I will be discussing an international campaign with her owners. I believe she is better than Irridesence with which we won a Group 1 race abroad so yes, her next destination might be Dubai 2010.'' ~ MdK on Zirconeum

[my miss storm cat]

One to keep an eye on...

2 year old Musir (winner of the Golden Horseshoe).

[my miss storm cat]

Equus Award winners...

http://www.mikedekockracing.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1794

Cheers to Dancer's Daughter, Musir, Doug Whyte, and especially Horse of the Year (for the 3rd time!!!) Pocket Power!

[my miss storm cat]

A few days old but on Pocket Power and the decision to stay in SA...

http://www.mikebassracing.com/News/n...asp?Art_ID=876

[my miss storm cat]

2009-11-14 18:23:32

KAPIL ALL CLASS IN MERCHANTS
(no author listed)
From SARacing


Kapil (SAF) showed his class with a superb weight-carrying performance in the Betting World Merchants over 1200m at Kenilworth today. Despite lugging 60kg and conceding weight all the way down the field, the 7-year-old kicked on powerfully in the last furlong to run down Villandry (SAF) with Casey Cool (SAF) and Alvaro (SAF) next home.

As expected, it was Villandry who made the early running with Blue Tiger hard held in second and Alvaro, Irish Coffee and Wethreekings also racing prominently. Thunder Key and Casey Cool raced about three lengths off the speed with Kapil, Gaultier and Lady Windermere at the rear of the pack.

Villandry was still running approaching the last 200m with Alvaro trying to give chase and Casey Cool being shaken up to deliver his final burst. Kapil, meanwhile, had coasted up along the inside and there was only going to be one winner once he hit top gear.

Few will begrudge Kapil this victory. The son of Jallad (USA) has always been a high-class performer and for those who were there that day, his astonishing Guineas win at Greyville back in 2006 will live long in the memory. He had to re-establish himself last season when returning from a generally unsuccessful overseas campaign but placed efforts behind Pocket Power in both the Queens Plate and Gold Challenge showed that he was still competitive. Given his versatility, trainer Stan Elley looks to have plenty of options with his charge this summer. Today's win was particularly meritorious as he was conceding 8kg to a crack young sprinter in Villandry and the authority with which he won really caught the eye.

Villandry used his customary front running tactics and they almost paid off. He was simply beaten by a better horse on the day and he had the rest of the field well held. The yielding conditions will not have helped his cause and he should be quite a handful when he gets a chance to perform on really fast going.

Casey Cool is as honest as they come and he ran yet another creditable race here. He just couldn't go with the two that beat him home but his supporters once again got a fair run for their money.

Alvaro deserves a mention for a respectable effort. He looked outclassed against these specialist sprinters but he paced it with them all the way and stayed on under pressure to complete the quartet.

Blue Tiger and Lady Windermere were the two obvious disappointments of the race but the underfoot conditions may have got to them and they are both good enough to bounce back from this.

Kapil (SAF) is a 7-y-o gelding by Jallad (USA) out of Outstanding Star (AUS) by Bletchingly (AUS). He is owned by Messrs M I Fullard, J H Drew, D Watson-Smith, Mrs C L Gabler and Arc-En-Ciel (Nom: Ms S P Pfeiffer) and was bred by Arc-En-Ciel Stud.

Winning trainer: Stan Elley


KW243 - Race 7 - R300K - BETTING WORLD MERCHANTS (Grade 2)
A Handicap for horses 3 years and older - 1200m
No Horse Jockey Al/Bl Kg Dr Fin Dist Time OP SP Prev
1 KAPIL M J Byleveld A 60.0 8 1 0.00 73.56 10/1 15/2 GE930
12 VILLANDRY Felix Coetzee A 52.0 2 2 2.00 73.94 5/2 7/2 KW143
10 CASEY COOL Gerrit Schlechter A B 53.0 3 3 3.50 74.22 5/1 7/2 KW189
8 ALVARO (AUS) Luke Coleman *1.5 A 53.5 4 4 5.00 74.51 33/1 50/1 KW205
9 WETHREEKINGS Marco Latorre A 53.5 5 5 6.25 74.75 14/1 33/1 KW143
6 THUNDER KEY Brandon Lerena A 55.0 11 6 7.75 75.04 7/1 11/1 KW189
2 BLUE TIGER Bernard Fayd'Herbe A 59.5 9 7 8.25 75.13 5/1 7/1 KW143
13 IRISH COFFEE Morne Winnaar A 52.0 1 8 9.00 75.28 40/1 33/1 KW216
5 SOMETHING ELSE Kelvin Jupp A 56.0 7 9 11.25 75.72 7/1 9/1 KW189
3 GAULTIER Karl Neisius A 58.5 6 10 11.50 75.77 5/1 13/2 KW189
4 LADY WINDERMERE Karis Teetan *0.0 A 56.5 10 11 14.75 76.42 7/1 13/2 GE933
7 BUSH PIRATE Scratched CD81
11 MAINBRACE Scratched

[my miss storm cat]

Can he do it again?

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...international/

Final Field L'Ormarins Queen's Plate

Sc# Horse Mass MR Draw B A T Jockey Trainer
1 POCKET POWER 58.0 119 (119) 1 A B Fayd'Herbe Mike Bass
2 KAPIL 58.0 115 (115) 3 A M Byleveld Stan Elley
3 BIG CITY LIFE 58.0 111 (111) 10 A *K Teetan Glen Kotzen
4 IVORY TRAIL 58.0 111 (111) 5 B A R Danielson Joey Ramsden
5 BLUE TIGER 58.0 109 (109) 9 A K Neisius Mike Bass
6 FOREST PATH 58.0 107 (107) 7 A G Schlechter S H Page
7 GAULTIER 58.0 107 (107) 6 A G Hatt Mike Bass
8 STRATEGIC NEWS 58.0 107 (107) 8 B A T P Cosgrave Dylan Cunha
9 THUNDER KEY 58.0 106 (106) 4 A S Cormack Glen Kotzen
10 FABIANI 58.0 103 (103) 2 A R Fourie Glen Kotzen
Couplings: (1,5,7) (3,9,10)

[my miss storm cat]

Wow, he did it!

[my miss storm cat]

A very cool honor for a very cool horse...

From SARacing, no author listed...


POCKET POWER TO RECEIVE UNIQUE SADDLE CLOTH FOR "MET"

Pocket Power, the three times defending champion of the J&B Met, will receive a unique "gift" from Gold Circle on Saturday 30th January as he receives his very own saddle cloth colour for the big race- a gesture never, to our knowledge, bestowed upon a defending champion of a Grade 1 race either in South Africa or internationally.

Vidrik Thurling, Gold Circle's Western Cape Chairperson takes up the story, "I received a phone call today regarding an idea of promoting Pocket Power in his historic attempt to lift an incredible 4th J&B Met crown. Ash Maharaj (M.D: SAHorseracing.COM) suggested that we change the saddle cloth colour of the champion in relation to the rest of the J&B Met field. Thinking that this was an interesting innovation and also is in keeping with our plans to promote equine stars, I suggested that General Manager Gold Circle Western Cape, Mike Greef, investigate the logistics and other details of the plan.

"I am happy to announce that Gold Circle has decided to make the saddle cloth colour of the J&B Met field a beautiful yellow with the red J&B logo on it with Pocket Power's saddle cloth being a striking red with a different shade of red for the J&B logo The red cloth will act as a mark of distinction and distinguish the defending champion and three times holder of the crown in an era where he is truly a living legend of the turf. In our lifetimes we are unlikely to see a horse of this calibre and durability.

"We are thrilled to afford this unique opportunity to this star horse and hope that racegoers will fill Kenilworth on Saturday to shout the champion home.

[my miss storm cat]

Mother Russia, Gluwein and Here to Win are such nice horses... good luck to them and to Rudra who has been through sooooo much.


EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (G1)(F&M) R1-million 1600m

11 CANDY SINGER (M F De Kock) 58.0
19 CAPTAIN'S GAL (S G Tarry) 58.0
6 GOLDEN SCOLD (P F Matchett) 58.0
5 KIRIBATI (S G Tarry) 58.0
12 LISA ANNE (G M Alexander) 58.0
9 MILK AND HONEY (M F De Kock) 58.0
14 MITRA (G V Woodruff) 58.0
18 MOTHER RUSSIA (M F De Kock) 58.0
7 PRESTIC (G H Van Zyl) 58.0
15 QUEEN'S BAY (M G Azzie) 58.0
4 RUN ANGEL RUN (B D Botes) 58.0
17 TEA BREAK (K Naidoo) 58.0
13 ALL AFIRE (A G Laird) 54.0
16 ARIZA (M F De Kock) 54.0
3 FISANI (M F De Kock) 54.0
10 FLIRTATION (M F De Kock) 54.0
21 GENEROUS ANNA (C Laird) 54.0
8 GLUWEIN (M F De Kock) 54.0
2 HERE TO WIN (M F De Kock) 54.0
20 JET TRAIL (A G Laird) 54.0
1 SIDERA (M F De Kock) 54.0

GAUTENG GUINEAS (G2) R1-million 1600m

31 ABSOLUTE HERETIC (H J Brown) 57.0
12 AMATOL (G J Maroun) 57.0
15 BULSARA (G H Van Zyl) 57.0
27 CURVED BALL (C Laird) 57.0
2 DELLOTTO (K Naidoo) 57.0
5 DRAW BRIDGE (R R Sage) 57.0
4 ECHOHAWK (D Zaki) 57.0
24 FLYBYME (G V Woodruff) 57.0
11 FLYING TRISTRAM (C Laird) 57.0
22 FORT PETERSBURG (D Zaki) 57.0
8 GALILEO'S GALAXY (C Laird) 57.0
18 HAVASHA (M F De Kock) 57.0
14 HOUSTON TRIP (G J Maroun) 57.0
13 ILIAD (R R Sage) 57.0
1 IWANNADANCE (R R Magner) 57.0
10 MAHOGANY (P F Matchett) 57.0
16 MAHUBO (H J Brown) 57.0
6 NYAKATHO (E G Anderson) 57.0
21 ORBISON (H J Brown) 57.0
25 ORBIT WAR (A W Kethro) 57.0
3 PIERRE JOURDAN (G M Alexander) 57.0
28 POWER FORCE (H J Brown) 57.0
19 ROCK ME CAPTAIN (L Wiid) 57.0
20 RULE THE NATION (S G Tarry) 57.0
26 SABATINO (B D Botes) 57.0
9 SERVICE ACE (M G Azzie) 57.0
30 SMANJEMANJE (T Zackey) 57.0
17 STORM CROSSING (M F De Kock) 57.0
7 FISANI (M F De Kock) 54.5
29 FLIRTATION (M F De Kock) 54.5
23 GLUWEIN (M F De Kock) 54.5

GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (G2) R500,000 1600m

27 ADORABLE (C Laird) 57.0
24 ALDERRY (M F De Kock) 57.0
29 ALL AFIRE (A G Laird) 57.0
16 ARIZA (M F De Kock) 57.0
26 BUTTONWOOD TREE (M G Azzie) 57.0
21 CASHEW NUT (G H Van Zyl) 57.0
14 CATHERINA LADY (D N Stenger) 57.0
20 CINNAMON SUGAR (R R Magner) 57.0
2 CYCLONE BARBARA (W H Tolmay) 57.0
19 FISANI (M F De Kock) 57.0
12 FLIRTATION (M F De Kock) 57.0
25 FLOWING AMBER (C Laird) 57.0
9 FLYTE (S G Tarry) 57.0
5 GENEROUS ANNA (C Laird) 57.0
4 GLUWEIN (M F De Kock) 57.0
11 GOT PERSONALITY (N F Peech) 57.0
23 HERE TO WIN (M F De Kock) 57.0
30 JET TRAIL (A G Laird) 57.0
28 LADY LECTURE (M G Azzie) 57.0
13 LAVERNA (M F De Kock) 57.0
22 MRS BROCK (R R Sage) 57.0
3 PAGAN DANCE (C Laird) 57.0
18 QUALITY ALONE (C Laird) 57.0
17 QUEEN MIRA (G V Woodruff) 57.0
8 SIDERA (M F De Kock) 57.0
10 SPICED GOLD (S T Pettigrew) 57.0
7 SPLASH AROUND (L Wiid) 57.0
1 TE MOOI (G V Woodruff) 57.0
6 VALLEY OF RUBIES (E G Anderson) 57.0
15 WATER NYMPH (M G Azzie) 57.0

HAWAII STAKES (G2) R300,000 1400m

23 SMART BANKER (C Laird) 60.0
22 RUDRA (M F De Kock) 57.0
3 EIGHT STREET (C Laird) 56.5
25 DAN DE LAGO (C Laird) 55.5
5 FENERBAHCE (G M Alexander) 54.5
9 RUDI ROCKS (C Laird) 54.5
24 THEREALSLIMSHADY (A G Laird) 54.5
10 BHEKINKOSI (G M Alexander) 54.0
11 BRAGGADACIO (M F De Kock) 54.0
4 BUY AND SELL (S G Tarry) 54.0
19 CARBON LEADER (A G Laird) 54.0
21 CHOISIR (G V Woodruff) 54.0
15 CROWN OF POWER (C Laird) 54.0
12 EMIR (G M Alexander) 54.0
26 IMPERIAL GESTURE (C Laird) 54.0
8 JET TYCOON (G V Woodruff) 54.0
7 JOHNNIE FOX (R P Lerena) 54.0
14 LIGHTNING LECTURE (D J Nieuwenhuizen) 54.0
18 LUBRICATOR (D N Stenger) 54.0
1 MENTOR (D J Nieuwenhuizen) 54.0
20 SIRIUS STAR (G M Alexander) 54.0
16 TAP TAP (A G Laird) 54.0
2 THANDOLWAMI (C Eudey) 54.0
6 THE BIG ASK (M G Azzie) 54.0
17 WINTERWONDERLAND (W H Marwing) 54.0
13 POLAR MOON (G J Maroun) 51.00

[my miss storm cat]

Mother Russia wins...

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...international/