O’Brien’s 18-year-old son Joseph will be in the saddle again at Epsom Downs and the trainer believes the Montjeu colt has benefited from his victory in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

Camelot is currently the 4/5 favourite for the Investec Derby with William Hill, Official Betting Partner of the 2012 Investec Derby Festival.

“The Investec Derby is the obvious race for Camelot and hopefully when the time comes he will be there in good shape. We are not going to do an awful lot between now and then, we will just let him go naturally,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“We think he learned a lot in the Guineas, he settled and ran through the gaps and had to fight. Joseph wanted to teach him a bit because we never had to ask him a lot at two, he won both his races very easily and hadn’t been off the bridle or shown the stick or anything like that.

Camelot with trainer Aidan O’Brien, jockey Joseph O’Brien and groom Kaname Tsuge

“You don’t know about Epsom until you go there – you worry about everything including the day, the atmosphere and going to the start. He behaved beautifully at the Guineas and is very relaxed and calm but, as you would expect with a horse with that explosive burst of speed, he does have a lot of nervous energy in there.

“He kept on going when he was pulling up at Newmarket and I’ve not seen anything to suggest he wouldn’t get further.

“I don’t want to blow the horse up in any way but everyone can see he’s a very good looking and good actioned horse and those horses are often too good to be true. The Investec Derby is one of those things I wouldn’t even dream about because I’d be afraid to.”

Speaking about the fact his Jospeh is set to ride Camelot, the trainer added: “It’s been great for all of us, from the time Joseph has been able to walk he’s been in the middle of it all here – both the good days and the bad days. He’s a massive help for us and before he could ride out he was going in the Jeep with us.”

O’Brien is still finalising his team for the Investec Derby and he added: “We’ve got a lot of different options there with the likes of Astrology, Imperial Monarch, maiden winners and Ernest Hemingway, who is a beautiful big horse. He will go for the Dante on Thursday if the ground is good or better but it is doubtful he’d go to Epsom if he misses York. Whether the boys would let all of them go to Epsom, I don’t know.

“We haven’t won the Investec Derby in a number of years so we are very used to coming home every year very humbled. All these horses are bred and reared for Epsom and the Derby is the race that shapes the breed.”

O’Brien could have three representatives in the Investec Oaks and added: “Maybe and Kissed will go straight for Epsom and we could look at the race for Was, who we might run at Naas on Thursday, as well. Wading didn’t come right in the spring and I don’t want to force her so I’d be surprised if she makes Epsom.”

LATEST BETTING FROM WILLIAM HILL, OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF THE 2012 INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL

Investec Derby: 4/5 Camelot; 8/1 Bonfire; 12/1 Mandaean; 16/1 Imperial Monarch, Kesampour, Parish Hall; 20/1 Astrology, Main Sequence; 25/1 Ektihaam, Encke, Ernest Hemingway, Fencing, Noble Mission, Shantaram, Swedish Sailor; 33/1 Apollo, Athens, Mariner’s Cross, Michelangelo, Mickdaam, Mighty Ambition, Rougemont, Top Offer, Wrote, Wrotham Heath, 40/1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

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Best Bets; BIRTHDAY GIFT (race 8, win), AMERICAN VISION (race 9, win) and KOBE TOP GUN (race 3, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2 and 10) race 7 (1), race 8 (2 and 3) and race 9 (1, 2, 4 and 9).

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Race 1

Selections; 2 EMBLESSED – 4 DREAMCATCHER – 3 SEIZE THE DAY – 5 BOUNDLESS GLORY
A good Class 4 with the top four in the weights holding the key as they are all in top form and racing extremely consistently. The 3YO EMBLESSED is probably the one with the most upside, he has won twice at the trip and never missed a place on the Polytrack. He will sit on the pace and should run on well. Moreira’s mount DREAMCATCHER is another 3YO who from his draw has enough speed to lead or at worst sit just back off the lead; he too is suited by the 1200m and will run on well. SEIZE THE DAY will also be up on the pace, and whilst he has only won twice from 16 starts he is generally in the placings. BOUNDLESS GLORY has been over 1400m recently and is likely to get back, but with speed expected in the race he should be running on strongly late. CHARLY B scored a long overdue win last start and whilst being drawn out is a disadvantage as he could well be caught wide, he cannot be dismissed. ARAPUNI is another who will be suited by a hot pace and will finish on strongly. The blinkers go back on GOOD TOWKAY, he found the mile too far two starts back, and somehow managed to get caught wide last start, his previous form was good and he could surprise. CAN BE BETTER have had a number of trials and with Barend Vorster taking the mount could show up whilst fresh. If the emergency HUMOUR TOWN gets a run, from his rails draw, he should be able to sit back off the pace and finish off strongly.
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1 CHARLY B *** Scored long overdue win last start and despite bad draw could go on with it here. 7.00
2 EMBLESSED *** On-pacer racing with great zest. Has won twice over this distance and never missed a place on the Polytrack. 3.50
3 SEIZE THE DAY *** Racing well, and whilst he does not win all that often is generally in the placings. 5.00
4 DREAMCATCHER *** Handy 3YO, well drawn, who with services of top rider should be on the pace all the way. 4.00
5 BOUNDLESS GLORY ** Last two starts over 1400 average, back to 1200 and should be running on strongly. 10
6 GOOD TOWKAY ** Disappointing last two starts but blinkers go on and back to a more suitable distance. Has plenty of pace and could surprise if he can get across. 14
7 ARAPUNI ** Consistent in this class and will be running on at the end. 16
8 DOUBLE S * Gets back and powers home but 1100 appears to be his limit. 25
9 HOWGOODISTHAT * Recent form poor and badly drawn but is a five time winner on the Polytrack and cannot be completely dismissed. 33
10 WORK AHEAD * Two starts since resuming after a short break have been ordinary. Has some ability but this is a tough field. 33
11 CAN BE BETTER ** Better than his form suggests and has had plenty of trials recently. Could go well fresh with senior rider aboard. 16
12 CARNIVAL STAR * Drawn wide and best form has been on turf. 50
13 HUMOR TOWN *** Gets back and runs on powerfully. Will be right in it if he gets a start. 6.00
14 ENGINE * Last two runs have been poor, prior to that regularly placed without winning. 25
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Race 2

Selections; 1 FULL TOSS – 7 PRIZE FIGHTER – 6 POSITIVE THINKING – 2 ABASTOR
A collection of the usual 4YO suspects put together to race over a mile, where the depth falls away after the top five chances. FULL TOSS gets back in his races and is always running on; from the ace draw Moreira may well be able to have him more handy (with blinkers a factor) than in recent starts – expect a big run. Pat Shaw has two good hopes both of whom are drawn wide and had excuses in recent starts. POSITIVE THINKING was stripped on his hind legs at his only start over a mile, and subsequently raced well over 1400m. PRIZE FIGHTER was well beaten by COLD SECRET last start but raced very greenly, and should go a lot better for Felix Coetzee. Both horses should get nice runs on the speed and with no natural leader in the race may well be able to dictate if they can get across. ABASTOR is racing well but needs to be taken on trust at the mile, being by Viscount he may or may not get the trip. YUM CHA is bred to stay, his last run was better and he steps up to a suitable distance. ROCKETY CAT is also first time over the mile and has always raced as though the trip will suit, he should be running on late. QUE SERA SERA looks like the journey will suit and if FIRST EXPRESS gets a start, he gets on the speed and will battle away over the mile.
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1 FULL TOSS *** Blinkers replace pacifiers, well drawn but gets back, should be making ground at the finish. 4.00
2 ABASTOR *** Three runs in this time have been excellent, runs on, and whilst the mile is a question mark, he should be competitive. 6.00
3 SUPER NEW HAWK * Has shown nothing so far. 50
4 ROCKY TWO * Raced greenly at only start – nicely bred but needs experience. 50
5 YAM CHA ** Ran on last start, bred to stay and this may suit. Watch. 16
6 POSITIVE THINKING *** Got into trouble at only start over a mile, ran on well last start, and barrier trialed well subsequently. Drawn poorly but has top rider to compensate and upgrade to blinkers helps. 3.75
7 PRIZE FIGHTER *** Led and battled on well Last start after racing greenly, awkwardly drawn but strong rider will help. 3.75
8 QUE SERA SERA ** Tongue tie on, has not shown a lot but races as though the trip will suit. Exotics. 14
9 JOHNNY BE GOOD * Poorly drawn, and while he has not been very good so far, the mile may suit. 33
10 NEWFOUNDFAME * Only battles. 50
11 ROCKETY CAT *** Well drawn and whilst he has to be taken on trust at the trip has always given the impression the mile will suit. 14
12 RISK FACTOR * Raced wide at only start and from good draw could show up. 20
13 NEVER RETREAT * Failed at only attempt over a mile on turf. Passing. 50
14 FIRST EXPRESS ** Raced poorly in blinkers last start, but previous efforts were reasonable. Chance if he gets a start. 14
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Race 3

Selections; 1 PHANTOM KNIGHT – 3 KOBE TOP GUN – 6 AGENAIS – 5 THE CINDERELLA MAN
A very even race with a lot of tough and proven Class 4 horses to compete over a mile on the Polytrack. At long last, Brian Dean has put a senior rider on PHANTOM KNIGHT and whilst he has to carry the weight he is bound to be finishing off strongly and with any luck in running can win. KOBE TOP GUN’s form reads badly but a recent drop in Class coupled with a step up to a suitable distance has him winning soon. The tongue tie goes back on, and with Opie Bosson to steer; sharp improvement is likely today. AGENAIS is racing in tremendous form at present and just went under last start; he is perfectly drawn and should be in the firing line all the way. THE CINDERELLA MAN also has a good draw and likewise should be on the pace all the way. JOYLUCK has won six times over this trip on the Polytrack and after two recent runs over 1200m and 1700m should be ready to pounce. Top Kiwi rider Michael Coleman jumps on DARING FIGHTER and he should be running on late as should John Powell on MONTEREY who gets on a suitable surface and distance at his fourth run back from a let-up. RAFFLES KNIGHT has been disappointing, and this is a strong field, but from his good alley he could get a soft lead and be hard to run down. For the exotics the old fellow BENGAWAN is tough as teak and whilst Class 5 is his forte, he could give a good account.
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1 PHANTOM KNIGHT *** Senior rider takes over, has good recent form and is bound to be charging home late. 4.00
2 DARING FIGHTER *** Gets top Kiwi rider Michael Coleman and will find this easier than recent engagements – awkwardly drawn but will be running on late with upgrade to blinkers. 8.50
3 KOBE TOP GUN *** Significant step up in distance and will win this company – big show. 6.00
4 MONTEREY ** Fourth run back from spell and suited this surface and distance, though outside draw does not help. 16
5 THE CINDERELLA MAN *** Nicely drawn and should be on the pace all the way -good chance. 6.00
6 AGENAIS *** Racing in tremendous form and from the gun alley should be in the box seat all the way. 4.00
7 FAT BOBO ** The mile tests him but usually puts in an honest effort. 16
8 JOYLUCK *** Loves this trip and surface, a 6-time winner here and bound to be in the finish. 6.00
9 RAFFLES KNIGHT ** Blinkers go on and from the good alley could well lead and be hard to run down. 16
10 LOOK AT ME * Gets backs and runs on, would be helped by a hot pace, but this is a strong field. 25
11 BENGAWAN * Versatile, tough as teak old fellow who whilst better suited in Class 5 has no weight and can never be discounted in these. 25
12 FUKU’S PET * Better suited in Class 5. 50
13 TAKIS * Last two runs poor but only win was over a mile. 50
14 ITISWHATITIS * Has been running on from a mile back in his races and could well do the same here if he gets a start. 25
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Race 4

Selections; 13 RICH BORN – 2 MERLIN – 7 DISTINCT NICHE – 4 BERT
A few solid Class 5 performers compete against a bunch of battlers in this 1600m event. If RICH BORN gets a start with Moreira to ride he may be the one to beat – last start he spanked TORNADO WIN who subsequently won, and his previous form had been sound. MERLIN drops into Class 5 and whilst his best performances are on turf he is a four time winner over 1600m and has been racing very competitively in Class 4. With Greg Cheyne to steer should be able to sit just off the speed and be hard to beat. DISTINCT NICHE’s only win was over a mile, his last run over 1200m was a cracker and with Verenzuela to steer from an inside barrier he should also be able to sit just off the pace and run on strongly. STAR BALLAD’s recent form in this Class has been sound and coming off a tough Maiden win he should be competitive again. BERT is on trial over the mile, but being by Bertolini the trip should be right up his alley, and he has enough speed to sit on the pace, always an advantage in these Class 5 races. KNIGHT SCORPIO is down in Class and his only win was over 1600m on the poly – he gets back and will need luck in running. LEGACY has not won for a long time and is drawn badly, but his last four runs have been sound and in a race with little depth he represents a good place chance. SMARTY SMARTY, EQUIENCE and EXCELLENT BEAUTY make up the usual suspects to be included in the exotics.
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1 KNIGHT SCORPIO ** Down in class and only win was over a mile. Gets back and will need luck, but should be running on late. 9.00
2 MERLIN *** Has won four times over a mile and back in Class 5 after solid performances in higher class should give this a shake. 4.00
3 STAR BALLAD *** Solid Maiden win last start and form consistent enough to suggest a strong chance here. 5.00
4 BERT *** On trial at the mile but breeding suggests he will be suited. Has run well in this Class previously. 6.25
5 EXCELLENT BEAUTY ** Mile is a test but has won over 1400m on turf in Class 4. Chance on best form. 14
6 NEWFOUNDWEALTH * No. 50
7 DISTINCT NICHE *** Huge run over 1200m last start, has won over the mile and from good alley should be just off the pace and powering home. 4.00
8 SMARTY SMARTY ** Has been going over longer distances. One-pacer who would benefit from a fast pace in the race. 16
9 EQUIENCE ** Another one-pacer well drawn who would like plenty of speed so he can run on late. 16
10 JUMBO CAN * Another battler who has one placing in 21 starts. Exotics only. 33
11 KING OF LOTUS * Wasn’t far away last start and only placing was over this distance on turf. Could astonish. 50
12 LEGACY ** Drawn badly and hasn’t won for a long time but recent efforts have been encouraging and could get into the placings. 16
13 RICH BORN *** Smashed them last start and with top rider on board could sit on the pace and do the same again, if he gains a start. 3.00
14 ROMAN EMPIRE ** Best form is on turf, but despite wide draw has a chance if he gets a start. 14
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Race 5

Selections; 1 SUPER GOOD – 15 HOGWARTS EXPRESS – 2 RISING EMPIRE – 13 SMART DRAGON
A capacity field of 2YOs – which in itself will be a challenge – as most of the babies’ races so far, have been small fields. Also, this is on turf over 1200m, not a flutter on the poly. SUPER GOOD is well drawn, will be ridden by Moreira, he has the Freedman polish and has had enough experience and education to do most things right. HOGWART’S EXPRESS is the most interesting runner, she ran in the Karaka Millions in NZ and was not disgraced, prior to that she had run 3rd in a Group 2 and won at Te Rapa – she has had one quiet trial, but she has experience and if she can run up to her Kiwi form she will be hard to beat from her barrier draw. RISING EMPIRE looked very good at his last start over 1000m on poly, he is drawn wider this time, but if he doesn’t have to use too much petrol early and can get a sit, he could be hard to hold out. SMART DRAGON is a speedy type and if Michael Coleman can get him across he could lead for a long way. Freedman’s other runner LAST MAN STANDING is by Bradbury’s Luck, he showed plenty on the poly at his first start, he is a question mark on turf but from the gun draw should be able to get in a good position. PITSTOP got back last start and finished strongly, from his good draw he should be able to get on the speed and finish off. It would be a brave man to tip one having its first start but EASY MAN has looked better than average at the trials, and in a race of many unknowns MASTER KING, JACKPOT, G STRATEGIST and GOLDEN PRINCE have to be included in exotic calculations.
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1 SUPER GOOD *** Looked the goods at his first start but raced a bit fiercely and well beaten last time. With Moreira to steer will be hard to beat. 4.50
2 RISING EMPIRE *** Strong win last start. Awkward draw but should be right in it. 6.00
3 MASTER KING * Outside draw a challenge. Looked good at first start then faded for fourth. Ignore effort over 1400m last start and better suited in this. 25
4 JACKPOT ** Nice type whose three starts have been meritorious but draw will make this difficult. 25
5 GOLDEN PRINCE ** Nicely drawn, will get on the pace and not the worst. 16
6 ALWAYS A WINNER ** Speedy but will need all of Verenzuela’s skill to get across. 16
7 EASY MAN ** Trials well and could surprise. Watch market. 16
8 G STRATEGIST * Very green at first start but raced well though beaten a long way. Blinkers and pacifiers go on to calm him down. 25
9 LAST MAN STANDING ** Has speed and should get a good sit from gun draw. Bound to be in it for a long way. 16
10 PITSTOP *** Winkers on, good effort at first start. Needs to get on the pace from the good draw and can then finish off strongly. 6.50
11 RED RIVER ROCK ** Fair effort first up, but barrier draw makes it tough. 33
12 RORY * Speedy type who raced well at first start. Outside barrier makes it difficult. 33
13 SMART DRAGON *** Has plenty of speed and should be near the lead most of the way. 8.00
14 SONIC BLAST * Tongue tie on, has been given quiet trials but allegedly has ability. Watch market. 33
15 HOGWARTS EXPRESS *** Has good NZ form including G2 placing. Not far way in Karaka Millions. Has had one trial in Singapore. Watch market. 6.50
16 MAKE SENSE * Good effort at first start, but has a tough draw. 50
17 KAISER BRIGHT * Has not shown up at two starts. 50
18 ROMA * Has speed but badly drawn. 50
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Race 6

Selections; 1 GINGERBREAD MAN – 2 COUP ALIGN – 10 POPI POPI – 5 MY SON
Although carrying 59.5kg, GINGERBREAD MAN looks well placed at the race conditions and happy to think he can bounce back from a disappointing run in Dubai and win. He won the Group 1 Guineas in a clean sweep of the 3YO series on this day last year and this looks a terrific opportunity to get back in the winners circle first up over 1200m. The field lacks depth but the horse that has the Class to beat him is COUP ALIGN. The NZ-bred 6YO hasn’t really shown his best since relocating to Singapore with trainer Mark Walker; however, he has looked good enough at two runs in this campaign to think he keeps most Singapore sprinters honest. Down in the weights I think POPI POPI as a 3YO has the most upside and is certainly worth a look in exotics with MY SON and MR TIMELY thereabouts on good recent form.
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1 GINGERBREAD MAN *** First up after unsuccessful Dubai run – could have given the sans rocket international sprint a red-hot go so can win this. 2.00
2 COUP ALIGN *** Has shown enough two starts this campaign to think he can win this. 3.30
3 POWERFUL RULER ** Would have appreciated first run for new stable and should improve. 30
4 MR TIMELY ** Came in for some support last start and ran well enough to be included again in this. 8.00
5 MY SON ** In form and drawn the ace but would need to be at his very best against a couple highly rated sprinters here. 8.00
6 HAMMER DOWN ** Form good and held his own when in this type of company two starts back in the Merlion Trophy – keep safe at value. 20
7 FAST BREAK * Needs it easier than this. 50
8 MOOVA HOOVA * Appreciates first up run but outclassed today. 200
9 PALOMBARO * Last couple ordinary, no. 100
10 POPI POPI *** Youngster who looks well placed with featherweight and could be the surprise packet. 8.00
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Race 7

Selections; 1 SUPER EASY – 3 MICHAEL – 12 BETTER LIFE – 13 SHUTTLE MAN
It’s hardly surprising that the top rated 3YO at Kranji, SUPER EASY, is the only horse to be on in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. The DARCI BRAHMA entire is gunning for his tenth straight win in Singapore and like BETTER THAN EVER and GINGERBREAD MAN before him, a clean sweep in the 3YO series is his for the taking. His win in the second leg over 1400m suggests the mile is NOT an issue but when looking for likely place-getters in this $500,000 feature, horses that will be doing their best work late did appeal with MICHAEL perhaps a good forecast option. The Oscar Stable-owned stayer showed he was more than up to Group company at his last start when taking on the big guns in the WFA Queen Elizabeth Cup over 2000m and his effort to finish fourth – beaten under two lengths – behind WAIKATO suggests he gives this a shake late. This field has plenty of depth though with the likes of BETTER LIFE and SHUTTLE MAN both likely to get some support and be running on late with CASH LUCK, SUPER GURU and even BULLDOZER (at long odds) all in the mix.
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1 SUPER EASY *** Undefeated in nine starts in Singapore and no problem stepping up to the mile for 10 straight. 1.10
2 CASH LUCK ** First up after a couple of game runs in Dubai and previous run in Singapore a strong mile win in good company so worth thought. 25
3 MICHAEL ** Last start 4th behind WAIKATO at WFA in the QEII was huge and pay to respect back in own age-group. 20
4 SUPER GURU ** Smart and last run probably better than the result – keep safe. 35
5 LET’S SEE ACTION ** Placed in the second leg at nice odds and no reason to think this honest type doesn’t do the same again. 50
6 TOTALITY ** Took nine starts to break through for maiden win but hasn’t looked back since can place again at this level. 40
7 EL MILAGRO ** Good effort to be in the mix at this level last start and can include somewhere is what is a very even race. 50
8 IRISH COFFEE ** Last start OK late and can improve with blinkers back on. 100
9 JERAM GLORY ** Knocked in his well deserved second win last time out and the fact he hasn’t missed a place at the other six runs suggests we can follow. 60
10 CITY LAD * Consistent but need to be at his best in what is a very good field. 200
11 BULLDOZER ** Has had excuses of late and certainly shown enough to think he could surprise a few with luck in running. 100
12 BETTER LIFE ** Looked to have every chance against SUPER EASY last start but appreciates the run and step up to the mile – follow. 12
13 SHUTTLE MAN ** Ignore last run in the wet and has to be every chance on three run unbeaten streak prior to that. 12
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Race 8

Selections; 2 BIRTHDAY GIFT – 3 GETREEL – 9 ANDIKO – 5 BOMBAATA
As you would expect in a Class 3 Poly sprint on International weekend, the field is strong and a great race looms. And while BIRTHDAY GIFT looks the obvious on-top choice given his impressive recent winning form, he has the wide gate to contend with and some canny senior hoops will make young ‘Freddy’ Firdaus earn his keep on the likely favourite. But his last start win was just too good to ignore and the NZ-bred 4YO might just run them off their feet. GETREEL looks a serious danger from gate four with Joao Moreira on-board for Brian Dean. And while his form looks like it is starting to read badly you can make excuses and he showed in a recent slick trial he is ready to show his best. He should get the run of the race as well and that might count for plenty late. Plenty of others to look at and watch for value for the likes of ANDIKO, BOMBAATA, MAPLE STAR and SULMONA – all each way shows in what is a great race.
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1 MAPLE STAR *** Edging closer to an overdue win but will need an ounce of luck from the bad gate. 10
2 BIRTHDAY GIFT *** Blitzed them last start and certainly good enough to overcome awkward gate and win again. 3.00
3 GETREEL *** Form starting to read poorly but did it tough enough last start to excuse and recent trial good enough to win this. 3.00
4 IMAGERY * Blinkers off as he tries to find form after two bad runs since win. 50
5 BOMBAATA *** Never a hope first up after issues but better than that in this type of race and could show up. 20
6 RAGING STORM ** Last run better than the result and has better gate and blinkers removed so pay to keep safe. 20
7 SULMONA *** Turned some good form into a strong win last start and pay to follow. 6.00
8 VALEVOLE ** Resuming and recent trial suggests he can step up in Class and win again. 15
9 ANDIKO *** Last start good and better again back on the Poly – watch. 8.00
10 PACINO ** Form suggests he might be looking for easier but could keep a few honest if having a good day. 50
11 SMART GENERAL * Prefer with blinkers in this company. 50
12 TEEN ANGEL * Prefer on the turf. 50
13 SHINING GLORY ** Excuses last start and keeps a few honest if he gets a start. 30
14 COUNTRY CLUB ** Another who will hold her own when she gets a start. 30
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Race 9

Selections; 9 AMERICAN VISION – 1 WILLIAMS – 2 VIDEO CALL – 4 DORAEMON
A tough race to finish with a smart American-bred 3YO looking the one the punters might be pinning their hopes on in the last. AMERICAN VISION showed enough first up on the Poly (with support) to think he was a horse to follow before a poor effort on the turf had analysts re-thinking their optimistic views. But a five-and-a-half length blitzing of his rivals back on the Poly at start three has him the one to beat although meeting some nice Class 4 horses for the first time. So while he will need to be on his game early, he has drawn better in gate seven and Ivaldo Santana should have every confidence in notching back to back wins on the gelding. But there a few horses in this that look well placed to win and this race is far from over. WILLIAMS wins again soon in this company with winkers helping his cause today and the likes of VIDEO CALL, DORAEMON, SACRED SPRING and CAIYAYA all have winning chances.
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1 WILLIAMS *** Showed last start he wins soon this company and a huge chance with winkers added from gate one. 3.00
2 VIDEO CALL *** Resuming so back in trip ideal and goes mighty close given good form last campaign. 6.00
3 CALIFORNIAN GIRL ** Has pace and will win again soon but no luck again at the barrier and might find this as tough as last start. 30
4 DORAEMON *** Super run given how tough he did it last start dropping to this company and well worth following. 6.00
5 MOVIE GOER ** Last run better than the nine in the book and did dhow two starts back what he can do on a good day. 20
6 WINONTOP ** Coming off a couple of shockers and while better than that at his best you have to take on trust. 30
7 SACRED SPRING *** Placed two starts this campaign and claim wont hurt his winning hopes today – goes close. 6.00
8 CAIYAYA *** Turned some very poor form around last start with tough placing and has to be respected on that run. 8.00
9 AMERICAN VISION *** Showed a distinct liking for the Poly winning easily in Restricted Maiden company last time out and one to follow. 6.00
10 SADDLE THE WIND * No. 500
11 SAHORO * Competitive on his day but drawn baldy and better suited Class 5. 50
12 GIVE WAY ** Shown enough two starts this company after maiden win to include in exotics. 40
13 SHORTCUT ** Solid enough but might be better suited turf in this grade. 40
14 IRISH LIGHTNING ** Always some hope but prefer over 1000m. 20

Fast Father! Richard Fourie(pink silks) drives Adobe Pink up to win the sixth.

It is not often that we witness a horse hitting the front and then falling away late in the race, only to come back from the arms of defeat to get up and win. Jockey Richard Fourie produced the stroke of genius when winning on Sally Jourdan’s Adobe Pink in the sixth race at Kenilworth this afternoon.

Four of the Cape’s best jockeys each rode a double on a day when riding honours were evenly spread. Besides Fourie, Karl Neisius, Bernard Fayd’herbe and Aldo Domeyer each took home two winning commission cheques.

We can quite understand Fourie’s motivation. He and his wife Tatum Lea Fourie(nee Puller) celebrated the arrival of a baby girl on Monday evening at 23h32. Christened Bella Tayla Fourie, the little bundle of happiness weighed in at 3.5kgs. That makes Lauren Puller one of the youngest double Grannies in horseracing too.We must all be getting old!

We wish the young parents well on the new baby sister for Mia and they will know that the real fun starts now.

Fourie also won the opening race of the day and very appropriately too. Given his personal domestic bliss, the winner was named Solid Sister. And this lovely daughter of Jet Master built on her surprising odds-on debut defeat, to win the Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m going away.

Valorific! Richard Fourie cruises in on Solid Sister to win the first race.

After the enormous successes of the top-class Captain’s Lover, it is no wonder that Team Valor International have taken to the Willempie Engelbrecht bred fillies, and this two year old was a R1 million sales graduate out of the moderately successful Flaming Rock mare Dame Kiri, who raced in the Engelbrecht interests.

She is held in high esteem by trainer Justin Snaith and can only improve further from here. She won in the familiar Valor silks, who race her in partnership with Anant and Vanashree Singh.

But it was Fourie’s winning ride on Adobe Pink for trainer Neil Bruss that really called on the young jockey’s talent and skill. The sixth race was a minefield of an MR 70 Fillies and Mares Handicap and a case could be made for practically all of the thirteen moderate sorts that went to post.

Jayson Smitsdorff took the Paddy Kruyer-trained Jazelle, who started a weak tote favourite out to lead, and she was going strong until challenged and passed by Adobe Pink at the 400m marker. Fourie looked to have done enough until Karis Teetan took over on Mirabile wide out. In a three corned drive to the winning line, Fourie somehow managed to get Adobe Pink to rally near the rail and she came back to grab a tight decision from Jazelle who tried her heart out. Mirabile stayed on a further short-head back in third.

Owner Sally Jourdan works for Lammerskraal Stud and this Go Deputy filly is out of the top Pas De Quoi mare Nacarat, who produced the Graded performers Nania and Target Acquired.

Adobe Pink has won two of her nine starts and could continue to earn in the weaker winter months down in Cape Town.

Richard Fourie’s father-in-law Glen Puller, who become a grandfather again on Monday evening, also celebrated the occasion of the new addition to the family when he sent Stunning Tiger  out in fighting trim after a four month break to win the jackpot opener.

Karl Neisius. A top jockey still.

We saw some vintage Karl Neisius stuff in the MR 87 Handicap run over a mile and he allowed the normally enthusiastic front-running Stunning Tiger to watch on from midfield as Great Kalli and Spy Glass cut each other’s throats out front. Spy Glass skipped at the 300m marker but Neisius was allowing none of it and he produced the Puller gelding under a driving ride down the rail to win well.

Bred by Boland Stud, Stunning Tiger is by the deceased former Vodacom Durban July winner Eyeofthetiger, out of the Northern Guest mare Stunning Kitten. He runs in his trainer’s silks and has now won three of his eight starts for R127 000 in stakes. One would have thought that he was an ideal Winter Series type horse but the second leg, the Winter Classic is run next Saturday,and he looks unlikely to go for the Winter Derby.

Aldo Domeyer rode a textbook determined race to win the seventh race, an MR 70 Handicap over 1400m on Ronnie Sheehan’s Mogok filly, Lola Bud.

Lemon Meringue made most of the pace but fell away at the 300m as Karis Teetan looked to have sealed a match-winning run on Glen Kotzen’s Silvano filly Wings Of Fortune. Teetan was already banking the cheque but had not reckoned on the Domeyer swoop and the gallant little fily swept past late to win readily. She had been backed by some shrewdies from 10-1 to 13-2.

Andries Steyn’s Pasadera was at last given a decent ride, and she ran on well for third at 12-1.

Double! Aldo Domeyer rode a good double in the seventh and eighth races.

Lola Bud is only three years old and has finally won her second race from 18 starts. She has run 8 places and has paid her way by earning R141 000. She only cost R40 000 off the National Two Year Old Sale. Bred by Hadlow Stud, she is out of the three-time winning Manshood mare, Florist Gump.

Domeyer recorded his double in the very next race when winning the Maiden Plate(F&M) on the long overdue Princess Jacqueline. The daughter of Surging River relished her first bash at 2000m and has been a model of consistency with eight places from her sixteen starts. She was bred by Zandvliet Stud.

With the shadows lengthening over Kenilworth, the curtain was brought down on the day with a favourable result for punters in the Maiden Plate over 1200m.

Jamie Lee Jet cut out the early fractions and led for most of the trip. But Grant Van Niekerk was sitting with a double handful on the 22-10 favourite Roaring Wind, and he pressed the button as the impressive chestnut gelded son of Deep Sleep strode away to win well. This was the Riverworld Stud bred Roaring Wind’s fourth start. He was yet another trainer-owned horse to win on the day and runs in the Glen Kotzen silks. Kotzen also trained his three-time winning mom, Shelela, by Baroon.

The Bass’ De La Rey grabbed his customary second place cheque and his connections cannot complain about a horse that looks likely to never win a race, but has earned all of R80 000 for his fifteen racecourse apperances to date. Jamie Lee Jet stayed on well enough for third place.

The Mike Robinson first-timer Waterfront Moon appeared to break down at about the 450m marker and some intrepid finger trouble by the on-course producer broadcast an awful side on shot of this regrettable incident to the entire world. Full credit to the Tellytrack Rivonia crew for their proactive issuance of an immediate apology on behalf of the Kenilworth crew.

In fact it was not a red-letter day for Cape racing and very justifiably, Tellytrack also landed up questioning the decision to reschedule the start of the Kenilworth  fifth race to clash head-on with the opener from York.  Such basic errors. Or maybe they haven’t heard of York?

It’s a move that makes a lot of sense for the right horse and Alyson Wright’s great win with Code Rock in the Gr1 Castle Tankard two weeks ago, may have been the start of something big.

Nico Does his boots!

Betting World sponsored a trip to Zimbabwe’s biggest raceday for Tellytrack’s Nico  Kritsiotis and Gareth Pepper. All work and no play, they say, makes Jack a dull boy. But no dull boys here.

Besides  doing  their odd boot here and there and becoming acquainted with their own taste of glasnost courtesy of a local cocktail appropriately named ‘Gorbachev’ as a result of its’ ingredients, which include  Vodka, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Eggnog, Syrup and ground nutmeg, the two Tellytrack presenters have returned home fired up and determined to become goodwill ambassadors for a unique brand of horseracing in a special and beautiful country.

The Gr1 Castle Tankard celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 5 May and is billed as Africa’s oldest sponsored horserace. Thirteen horses competed for a gross stake of $50 000 (that’s American) and it was won by Code Rock, a 50-1 outsider owned by Mauritian interests and trained out of Summerveld. The son of Doowaley started his career down at Glen Kotzen’s Woodhill  Racing Estate in Paarl.  South African jockey Francois Herholdt rode the winner for Alyson Wright. The horse was saddled by Wright’s mom, Penny ‘Gogo’ Fischer, a former professional trainer in Zimbabwe and who now runs her daughter’s local satellite  base.

The  race was called by Kritsiotis on his first visit to Zimbabwe after five years absence. He said it was an ‘absolute honour and privilege to play a part in the big day’ and added that the atmosphere on course was carnival and electric with cars being given away in lucky draws, fashion shows and paratrooper displays.  Besides that, he said that everything ran on time and like clockwork.

According to some local news reports, there were apparently punters and racegoers who weren’t thrilled by what they termed the ‘exorbitant’  price of beer which was sold at $1. 50 for a can of local lager which is going for less than a $1 in supermarkets and a $1 in most places in the town and suburbs.But it wouldn’t be racing if there was no whinging, would it?

Pepper said that he arrived in Zimbabwe, a paradise that he describes as ‘one of my favourite countries’ on the Wednesday prior to the running of the Tankard. “ One is struck by the friendliness and warmth of the local racing hospitality. People can never do enough to make one feel at home. I visited trainer Seb D’Aquino who took me on a tour of the stables.”

Gareth said he was impressed by what he had seen: “ Contrary to some urban legend, the stables are neat, clean and in good order. Horses have everything that they need available to them. Quality feed, good grass, spacious stables and of course, beautiful tracks to train on. This level of quality is a tribute to the resilience of all the local trainers, considering all that has happened,” he said.

The thirty year old Seb D’Aquino has 32 horses in training but has capacity for 75 and he told us that he had fielded increasingly more enquiries over the past few months from South African owners investigating the options.

Pepper confirmed that D’Aquino was one of the most marketing orientated and focussed young trainers he had encountered. “ Seb has the credentials and the will to succeed. He has learnt from top men like Paul Matchett and Neil Bruss. All he needs is the horses and support and he will take off. He is prepared to sit down and talk turkey as regards favourable fee  structures, which are in any event, cheaper on average than in South Africa. That also applies to  veterinary care.”

Pepper said that average stakes are between $600 to $700 per race and that the Mashonaland Turf Club would repatriate the stakes payment to the nominated SA bank accounts.He explained that when one takes cognisance of the racing opportunities, the relative strength of the opposition, the cost of keep versus potential returns and the far more affordable extras such as veterinary care, then the model works very well. He added that the unquantifiable social aspect of the affordable holidays in tandem with enjoying the racing also added up to providing what racing is surely meant to be about – winning, thrills and plenty of fun.

On Wednesday evening, a special awards evening was hosted by Castle, in the newly renovated  Glass House at Borrowdale racecourse. It is now an  impressive venue. People that have played a role and influenced the Tankard over the past fifty years were acknowledged for their support and influence. The who’s who of Zimbabwean racing was in attendance and included a few dignitaries from Castle

On Thursday evening Pepper and Kritsiotis attended the card call for the Tankard. It was hosted at the racecourse by Castle and they again came to the party with a lavish spread and warm hospitality.  It was after the card call that their good friend Andy Lowe hauled the two reluctant party-animals off the local watering hole, Tin Roof, to experience their first encounter with the Gorbachov. The detail is blurred thereafter.

Yearling Sales

On Friday they attended the Yearling  Sales where 66 lots were offered. After the pre-drinks and an official welcome, it is into the Nelson Mandela Hall. There aren’t a lot of horses on sale and the prices are not great. But life goes on.

They commended their host, Robson Chinamasa of the Mashonaland Turf Club, for going out of his way and ensuring every aspect was covered.

Pepper closed by calling on his South African colleagues to take advantage of the opportunities and incentive and to send horses to Zimbabwe: “ I have personally never felt so welcome and at home anywhere else in the world. With the subsidies that will be available for transport and the stakes pools being upped and paid in US dollars, financially it will make sense. That is not even to mention the friends you will make, and the great times you will enjoy as part of the overall experience. I am very happy to assist and answer any queries. “

Last weekend saw the Castle Tankard and successful racing fixture up in Zimbabwe. This weekend South Africa seemed to stage its own Zimbabwean festival.

Exhibit 1

The weekend kicked off in fine style at Kenilworth when ex-Zimbabwean Ronnie Sheehan and Karis Teetan hit the boards with the handsome son of Silvano, Just Harry in the 3^rd race of the afternoon.

Exhibit 2 – The Listed Terrance Millard Olympic Duel Stakes

Reflective Image being led in by the Jolliffe family after last Saturday’s Olympic Duel Stakes

Karis was in the irons again for a rather special winner in the 6^th race when Reflective Image stormed home 1.5 lengths to the good of Kwitizina. The connections were out in force to lead her in and I caught up with Gary Jolliffe to find out a bit more.

During my high school years, I was teased about my stories about ‘back on the farm’, but I guess there are worse things to be compared to than a ‘Golden Girl’, so go with me on this one. Picture it: Bulawayo, 2002… Velvet’s Image, a filly by Goldkeeper out of Velvet Mitt is growing up on Jill Burgess’s farm just outside Bulawayo. Unfortunately for Velvet’s Image and her friends, they were born during the time of the Zimbabwean land grabs. The tentacles of political unrest stretch all the way onto their tranquil lives on the farm and one horrible day, the family and farm-workers are driven off, leaving the animals to fend for themselves as best they could.

After a few months had passed and things had quietened somewhat, a rescue attempt was staged. Fences were cut and a party of workers snuck onto the farm to retrieve what livestock they could, and walked the animals back to Bulawayo. It was only about a month before the yearling sales, but Jill and her team did their best and despite the desperate set-back, managed to produce a consignment for the sales.

Velvet’s Image did not make her reserve and was returned to her boarding farm after the sale, where she caught the eye of Gary Jolliffe. He describes her as a small, but very high quality filly and offered to pay Jill the reserve then and there. Jill refused, but the offer obviously stayed at the back of her mind, because a few months later, she returned Gary’s phone call to ask whether the offer still stood. It did, and it became one of those pivotal decisions, the enormity of which one only realises with the benefit of hindsight.

Paul Matchett, another Zimbabwean to become a fixture on the SA racing scene, also liked the look of the filly and expressed an interest. When the Jolliffe’s explained that they were new to the country and didn’t really have the means to keep a horse in training, Paul offered them to find a partner. A few months went by and Gary enquired whether a suitable partner had been found, only to be told that Paul had such confidence in the filly, that he’d decided to retain the share himself!

Velvet’s Image duly repaid everyone’s faith in her, becoming a 4 time winner and placing 7 times from 12 starts, earning her the moniker of ‘the Jolliffe’s ATM’ from Nico Kritsiotis.

When the filly retired, the Jolliffe’s and their young family were still finding their feet in South Africa. Again they decided to find a partner to share in the trials and tribulations of having a horse at stud and Mike Kid joined the team.

The first produce was a Tamburlaine filly called Velvets Reflection, who unfortunately proved a disappointment on the track. However, her next filly, also by Tamburlaine, would go on to be christened Reflective Image. In keeping with the strong ties to home, Reflective Image joined the string of another ex-Zimbabwean, Brett Crawford out in Philippi and debuted most impressively to finish second in October last year. With a total of 7 starts under her belt so far, she has yet to finish out of the money.

Gary is, understandably, over the moon and says Velvet’s Image really has been their fairy godmother. She escaped Zimbabwe with them and has really helped put them on their feet in South Africa. He says the horse business is not unlike surfing – you have to swim out against the current, in shark infested waters, and paddle like hell to catch that wave. But once you’re on the right one, you’ve just got to enjoy the heck out of it and pray that it lasts!

Subsequent to Reflective Image, Velvet’s Image has produced a 2009 filly by Imperial Stride (another recent addition to the Brett Crawford string) and an impressive 2010 colt by Horse Chestnut, who was knocked down to Paul Matchett at the recent Book II Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Although the mare suffered a paddock injury last season, she is now in foal to Var and it goes without saying that the Jolliffe’s await their next arrival with great anticipation.

Exhibit 3 – The Gr3 Recall Effective EC Derby

A baby Tribal Dance

The following day we were treated to more of the Zimbabwean invasion when Vaughan Marshall took a trip up memory lane (and the N2) to PE, stopping in just long enough to scoop the EC Derby with another horse with a Zimbabwean flavour, Tribal Dance. Whether you love it or loathe it, PE racing continues to produce some solid racing talent. No-one can dispute that Tribal Dance won like a good thing and seems destined to light up the Formgrids pages for some time to come. And better still, he also comes with a good story!

Much like his journey to PE, Tribal Dance’s journey has also taken rather a scenic route. In Geoff Armitage and his family, Zimbabwe’s loss was South Africa’s gain. Geoff, son James and connections relocated to South Africa from Zimbabwe some six years ago, alighting for a while at the old Daytona stud before settling in at their current premises, Sandown Stud, just a little off the N1.

James relates that he found Navajo Angel on the 2008 Equimark Broodmare sale as part of the Oaklands dispersal draft. With her dam, Navajo Princess, being a half-sister to Dancing Brave there was quite a lot to like from the pedigree page alone, but she was a nice type and the fact that she was in foal to first season sire Tiger Dance sealed the deal – the hammer fell his way at R35 000.

Navajo Angel produced a bright bay colt with an asymmetric blaze tailing off over his left nostril. In case there is any doubt as to how much breeders put into their babies, James rummaged around in the recesses of his computer and promptly produced a few photos of baby Tribal Dance by his mother’s side. James describes the colt as not particularly flashy, but ‘with everything in the right place’. The tall, leggy colt was held back till the National Two Year Old Sale where he went under the hammer to Cape-based trainer Vaughan Marshall. Vaughan says he likes to support first season sires as they often offer good value, but also noted the connection to Dancing Brave. Whether it was a lucky gamble or an exceptionally shrewd purchase, at R40 000 the colt certainly looks a bargain.

Tribal Dance races in the familiar colours of the late Roy Eckstein, whose cheery yellow and cerise silks have become a familiar fixture on our courses and winner’s enclosures. Horses may not be able to read their catalogue pages, but the beautifully bred colt has certainly fulfilled his potential. He has made an eye-catching addition on parade (as well as past the post!) at the recent Gr1 Investec Cape Derby (finishing 3^rd behind Jackson) and second to Variety Club in the Gr3 Tekkietown Winter Guineas.

Vaughan is understandably pleased and proud of his charge and relates that the colt will hit the road again shortly and should reach his new digs in in Durban by Tuesday morning.

In a rather neat twist to our tail, which brings our two features pretty much full circle, the Armitages stand Goldkeeper at their Sandown Stud. Goldkeeper is the sire of Velvet’s Image, who produced the Jolliffe’s filly, Reflective Image.

I rest my case, your honour!

Paul Matchett has just debuted Genuine Leather. Brett Crawford is conditioning Jackson. Tribal Dance is en route to Durban…

Whether you go by the fundamental interconnectedness of all things, the six degrees of separation, or simply believe that the racing gods move in mysterious ways, one thing is certain – fasten your seatbelts folks, the Zimbabweans are coming!

Bryan Claassen

When BRYAN CLAASSEN was 5 years old he met a polo crosse filly, Nillie, who, he says, taught him to ride. His father Ronnie Claassen was a jockey so between Nillie and his dad he fell in love with horses, and the idea of being a jockey, at a young age. His favourite subject at school was maths so he is obviously a very intelligent young man. His goals are clearly set wanting to ride 60 winners in the very near future and to ride in the Durban July as an apprentice. He admits that his greatest thrill as an apprentice thus far has been to beat Anton Marcus and Piere Strydom in a thrilling finish. His two favourite jockeys are Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea so he has set his sights high and from what we have seen of him, so far, it seems pretty certain that race goers will be seeing and hearing a lot more about him. He is yet another young rider coming out of the academy who will be doing our racetracks proud. 

What is your name and age? Bryan Christopher Claassen and I am 17 years old.

What is your star sign and birthdate? I am a Sagittarius and my birth date is on 19^th December 1994.

Where were you born? I was born in Port Elizabeth.

Where do you live?  My family live in Pietermaritzburg but I currently live at The South African Jockey Academy at Summerveld.

Tell us about your family? My dad, Ronnie Claassen passed away when I was three. He was a jockey. My mom is Liz. I have two sisters, Leigh Ann and Michelle. I have a step father-whose name is Graham Crook and I also have a step brother, Justin and two step sisters Ashleigh and Nicky.

Do you have a ‘nickname’? No.

Favourite food?  I will have two big macs and a regular chips please, when allowed.

Favourite drink? Chocolate milkshake.

Favourite music? Classic music like Bryan Adams. That’s who I am named after.

Favourite sport? Polo-crosse and horse racing of course.

Favourite soccer team? Manchester United.

What is your favourite holiday destination? It’s a tough call between Mozambique and Kosi Bay.

Briefly discuss your school days in terms of favourite subjects?  Maths, maths and more maths!

As a school boy did you follow horse racing and did you have any favourite horses or jockeys that you followed?  My favourite horse was Nillie, a polo-crosse horse. She taught me how to ride from when I was 5 years old. I never really followed horse racing from a young age. I did watch videos of my dad riding though.

How did your interest in horse racing come about and how did you get into the academy? My family had a huge influence on me becoming a jockey. I was interviewed by the academy staff and my application was successful.

By the time you went to the academy had you ever ridden a horse? Yes. I rode my first horse when I was five years old and played polo-crosse. I started playing polo when I was only 9 years old.

When did you start your apprenticeship? January 2010.

Who were your fellow apprentices at that intake?  Donovan Dillon, Gerrit Olwagen, Lerato Mohapi and Mandla Ntuli.

List some specifics about the first year of your apprenticeship? I enjoyed making new friends and being around them. I also enjoyed working with the horses and doing stable management. It was hard at first but once I got into the swing of things it became a way of life.

Describe a typical day at the academy? Wake up at 4am and ride work at the training centres until 9am. We then return to the academy for breakfast. School starts at 10:30 until 2:30, then we do stable duties and go for riding lessons.

What year of your apprenticeship are you in? I am in my third year.

What is the most difficult part about being an apprentice? Getting rides!

Which year would you say indicates if you can become a proper jockey or a failed apprentice?  Generally towards the end of your first year.

Once you got into the academy which senior jockey inspired you the most?  I always wanted to be a jockey like my late father and I am happily fulfilling that. I look up to him.

How long were you in the academy before you competed in your first race? Tell us about that first ride?  One year and two months. My first ride was for Mr. James Goodman at Scottsville on Brightman. It was a good experience and I enjoyed every second of the race.

Tell us about your first winner? My first winner was Perazim Joy for Mr. Des Egdes. It was an adrenalin rush like you can’t believe and I was thrilled. I watched the replays over and over again.

Which were the trainers who took the most interest in you and were prepared to help you along the way?  Mr. Des Egdes has been a huge support system for me and helped me through the good and the bad times. He has taught me a lot.

Which tracks have you ridden on in South Africa and what is your favourite one?  Greyville, Clairwood, Scottsville, Kimberley, Turffontein and Vaal. My favourites are Kimberley and Greyville.

How many winners have you ridden to date? I have ridden 9 winners thus far and looking forward to the next one.

Which stables do you ride work for? There is not enough space here to list all the trainers I ride work for.

You are getting some really good rides from various stables. Is there any chance you could, in the near future, become stable jockey to any of them? One never knows the future, but I am ever hopeful.

Which top jockeys do you admire the most in South Africa?  Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea.

Which do you consider to be the best horse / horses you have won on to date?  Miss Filly and Gandolf The Great.

What are your short & long-term ambitions?  Short: to ride 60 winners as soon as I can and long-term to ride in the Vodacom Durban July as an apprentice.

With the KZN winter season upon us which horses do you think will do really well? Jackson, Variety Club and Polar Bound.

What is your most memorable moment in racing thus far?  Beating Anton Marcus and Piere Strydom on the line. It’s always hard to beat these fine top jockeys.

What is your ideal riding mass and do you have problems maintaining it?  I am very happy at 50kgs and I am blessed in that I have no problem maintaining my weight.

What is your current claim?  I am currently claiming 4kgs.

You have probably noticed that many trainers and jockeys have sponsors. Are apprentices allowed to be sponsored and if so, do you have a sponsor?  Yes, we are allowed to be sponsored and I would love to be an ambassador for some company.

Do you do anything extra to keep maximum fitness apart from riding work and races?  I enjoy running and swimming.

How good a judge are you in assessing gallops? Average to good!

Outside of racing do you have anything else you are passionate about?  I absolutely enjoy playing computer games and anything to do with an Xbox!!!!!

Do you think racing is well-policed?  Well, I have received a suspension before, so yes indeed it is.

Do you have a steady girlfriend or are you concentrating on your career?  I have chosen to concentrate on my career at this point so all the lovely ladies will have to hang on a little while longer.

Very Fast. Captain Obvious is Singapore's second highest-rated galloper

The shock late withdrawal of the brilliant speedster Rocket Man, has thrown Sunday’s Gr1 Krisflyer International Sprint at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore wide open.

The $1 million 1200m Gr1 KrisFlyer International Sprint is a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and is the sister sprint race to Singapore’s jewel in the crown, the Singapore Airlines International Cup to be run over 2000m on the same card. The winner takes home a healthy $570 000 cheque, while stakes are paid all the way down to tenth finisher, who earns $10 000.

After winning his fourth Gr1 Lion City Cup in his last outing on 29 April, local hero Rocket Man looked to avenge his defeat by Krypton Factor in the 2012 Gr1 US$ 2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. But in a shock announcement on Tuesday, he was withdrawn by trainer Patrick Shaw.

Rocket Man’s absence takes some lustre off the big race. He won the Krisflyer in 2011 and ran second in 2009 and 2010. Singapore’s champion sprinter was withdrawn by trainer Pat Shaw and owner Fred Crabbia after the six-year-old succumbed to a ligament strain to his near foreleg. Shaw and Crabbia wisely decided to err on the side of caution to avoid any permanent damage.

Singapore Turf Club veterinary surgeon Dr Curry Keoughan said Rocket Man had a swollen left front medial suspensory ligament.

Krypton Factor will now look to capitalise. The Golden Shaheen win marked a first thoroughbred success for the Kingdom Of Bahrain at the Dubai World Cup and Krypton Factor stopped the clock in 1:10:79, in the fastest renewal of the Dubai Golden Shaheen since its relocation to Meydan. Very impressive stuff!

The four year old has his regular pilot Kieren Fallon aboard again and trainer Fawzi Nass’ gelded son of Kyllachy, who has won eight of twenty career starts, looks a strong contender for top honours. A lot of use was made of Rocket Man in Dubai as he jumped keenly from his 1 gate and strode freely. He was caught late in the race by the shrewd Fallon, and Krypton Factor went on to win by 2,25 lengths. The win was still full of merit and he is obviously an outstanding sprinter and Fallon harbours aspirations of possibly riding him at Royal Ascot later this year.

With plentiful pace in abundance, this race could certainly turn into another cat-and-mouse tactical battle, with Krypton Factor a horse that is able to settle well and then kick late.

Captain Obvious is Singapore’s second highest rated horse behind Rocket Man. He hasn’t won since Dubai on 20 January this year when beating Hitchens over 1200m. He put in an excellent trial on Tuesday this week and could prove the dark horse in the race.

The rest of the nine-strong field include the likes of the seven year old grey English galloper Secret Asset, who may need the outing, having run only once this year.

Barend Vorster rides Rocket Man’s South African – bred stablemate Ato. He shows plenty of toe but doesn’t always finish his races and hasn’t won for close on a year.

Perfect Pins ran third in this race last year but has had soundness and bleeding issues. He ran a good second in fast time at his last start a month ago over 1100m, but should battle.

The seven year old Irish mare Invincible Ash is the only representative of the fairer sex in the race and won in Dubai over 1000m in early March. She could run a place.

A tough call in a race that should prove a spectacle and delight for anybody who loves the sport.

The Krisflyer Sprint is carded as the ninth race and is due off at 13h50.

On track. Godolphin’s City Style on the polytrack in Singapore earlier this week

South Africa has a proud record in the $3 million Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup. Time sure flies and past winners include the ill-fated Lizard’s Desire (2010) and current stallion Jay Peg(2008). In 2012 our patriotic connection is by way of jockey Felix Coetzee who rides California Memory for his former boss, Tony Cruz.

Herman Brown trained last year’s winner Gitano Hernando for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov. He was ridden by Australian-based South African jockey Glyn Schofield and beat Pocket Power’s awesome sister River Jetez in a memorable race. This year we rely solely on Felix Coetzee to stoke the fires of our national pride.

Coetzee will still be smarting from the obvious disappointment of the scratching of Rocket Man from the Krisflyer International Sprint and gets on California Memory. The consummate professional will have his attention focussed on the big prize though. He replaces regular rider Matthew Chadwick on the American-bred son of Highest Honor, who ran second in the QE 11 Cup last year, before finishing eighth in this race.

Tony Cruz and Felix Coetzee will go down as one of the great trainer-jockey partnerships in world horseracing in the modern era. When they parted company after a powerful association that dominated Hong Kong from 1999 to 2008, Cruz said: “I won two championships with Felix as my retained jockey. We won two Derbies, a Hong Kong Mile with Lucky Owners, and 17 straight wins with Silent Witness.While Felix was riding for me, we broke George Moore’s record for the number of wins in a season, and the all-time single-season prize money record, too. Felix was always very dedicated and professional, never late for work a single morning, and I’d say a real model for the apprentices as the sort of jockey they should strive to become.It will be very hard to get a person to replace Felix Coetzee.”

That says it all and would it not be a fairytale were they to team up and win this big prize?

California Memory had a blank scorecard in Dubai, but was running on for fifth behind Rulership in the QE 11 last month. He worked one and a half laps on the polytrack on Tuesday and looked a million dollars. “I’m happy and I have a happy horse. He’s eating and drinking and his weight is good. I cannot be happier for now.” said work rider and travelling foreman Cheng Ka Po.

The last of the visiting raiders to arrive on Monday evening was the Godolphin-owned City Style . The six year old is trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni and will be ridden by Dubai World Cup winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, who is fast developing into something of a Frankie Dettori with his antics!

City Style came out of quarantine for England in a late decision to run here as he was considered so well and practically ‘jumping out of his skin’. Travelling head lad Andrea Mascolo said City Style had come through a long campaign in Dubai in good fashion and had continually improved his form throughout the season.

Michael Freedman sends out the five year old Not A Single Doubt gelding Always Certain, who comes off a fruitless Dubai campaign. He won the Raffles Cup eight months ago, but appears to lack the current form to be a factor.

The New Zealand-bred Waikato won the QE 11 Cup last time out beating New Rose Wood and is quite a revelation since switching from sprinting to ground.He will be one of the few horses in history to have run in both the Krisflyer International Sprint and the Singapore Airlines International Cup. He improved from fourth in 2010 behind Lizard’s Desire to dead-heat for third in the shadow of Gitano Hernando last year. He finally cracked the 2000mwith his big win last time and even at the age of eight could prove competitive.

The Singapore Airlines International Cup is carded as the tenth race and is due off at 14h40.

The Aga Khan’s Takar, who has won two of his three starts to date, stamped himself as a potentially exciting 3yo to watch when he won the recent Tetrarch Stakes (a prep for the Irish 2000 Guineas). By the red hot sire Oratorio (whose runners have been firing both in Europe and South Africa), Takar is out of the Green Dancer mare, Takarouna.
What is interesting about Takar’s pedigree, is that his dam was 19 when he was born. A proven stakes producer, Takarouna had previously produced Takali (Royal Whip S), Takarian (Meld S), Tanouna (Galtres S) and the stakes placed Takariya.
Clearly age was no barrier for Takarouna!

Another top-class performer produced by an older mare was this year’s 1000 Guineas winner, Homecoming Queen. She was born when her dam, Lagrion, was 20 years old. Lagrion, like Takarouna, is a proven world class producer, having previously produced champions Dylan Thomas and Queen’s Logic.
This classy performers clearly underline the fact that a good broodmare remains capable of producing stakes winners, at the highest level, regardless of age.

First Winner For Rock Opera

Former Equus Champion 2yo filly, Rock Opera (Lecture – Drummer Girl) was recently represented by her first winner in the UK.  Her 2yo son Heavy Metal (by outstanding sire Exceed And Excel) won a five furlong maiden at Brighton in convincing fashion. Owned by Sheikh Hamden Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the colt is trained by Mark Johnston.
The colt is certainly bred to fly, as both his sire and dam won G1 contests over six furlongs.

Heavy Metal has been entered in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, which will be run at the Curragh later in the season.

Rock Opera is also the dam of a Singspiel colt, who was placed, but unfortunately she missed to the cover of Exceed And Excel this season.

Classically Bred Colt Wins South Aus Derby

Zabeelionaire, winner of the recent G1 South Australian Derby, has a classic pedigree, to say the least. He is one of no fewer than 42 G1 winners for his sire, Zabeel, himself winner of the Australian Guineas.  Zabeel has sired 17 classic winners.
Zabeelionaire is out of a mare by Prix de’l Arc de Triomphe winner Carnegie – who hails from the same family as Zabeel.
Zabeelionaire is inbred to the great sire, Nureyev – broodmare sire of Zabeel, and the sire of Zabeelionaire’s fourth dam. He is also inbred to Special – granddam of Carnegie’s sire Sadler’s Wells and the dam of Nureyev. The 2012 SA Derby winner is a direct descendant of Simons Shoes – ancestress of Sadler’s Wells and Nureyev, among a host of great horses.

Guineas Winners’ Contrasting Pedigrees

Sunday saw the running of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas). The two classics were won by horses with vastly different pedigrees.

The French 1000 Guineas was won by Beauty Parlour – who gave her sire, Japanese superstar Deep Impact, his first European classic winner. Deep Impact had previously produced  the last two Japanese 1000 Guineas winners Marcellina and Gentildonna, and the former Triple Crown winner has made a superb start to his stud career.  Beauty Parlour is from the second crop of her sire, who retired to stud in 2007. Deep Impact, himself a son of Champion Sunday Silence and G1 winner Wind In Her Hair, has already produced five G1 winners in his first two full crops (ie 3 and 4 year olds) to race.

Beauty Parlour is out of a stakes winning daughter of world leading sire and broodmare sire Giant’s Causeway (the latter is already broodmare sire of the 2012 G1 winners Eden’s Moon and Soft Falling Rain). Her dam, Bastet, is a half-sister to champion Australian runner Might And Power, and this is the family of such great sires as Sir Tristram and Hyperion. (Another runner from this family well known to South Africans is top SA sprinter What A Winter).

Lucayan is by the promising French sire Turtle Bowl, also sire of 2000 Guineas runner up French Fifteen. Turtle Bowl, winner of the G1 Prix Jean Prat, himself stood this season for a fee of just 6,000 euros – a fee which is bound to go up for next season. Like champion sire Montjeu, Turtle Bowl is out of a mare by French Derby winner, Top Ville.

Lucayan’s first two dams won two races between them, and his first three dams never bred a stakes winner, although Lucayan himself is a half-brother to a champion stayer in Spain. However, the fourth dam is Pasadoble – dam of the mighty Miesque. Miesque herself founded a dynasty through such horses as Kingmambo, East of the Moon and Miesque’s Son, and Miesque is also dam of the promising young SA sire Judpot.

This family is very much alive and kicking, so to speak, in South Africa, and is represented by recent G2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Amanee.  Another top-class contender from this family is the promising Irish 3yo Tower Rock, who was a close second in Sunday’s G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.

Gibraltar Maintains Excellent Record

South African’s leading sires list, by average earnings per runner, makes for interesting reading. It is headed by the Irish based Rock of Gibraltar, whose 20 local runners have earned over R3.591 million this season, with an average earnings index of R179, 560.
This is quite exceptional, even for a stallion with a long history of producing high-class runners ,in this country in particular.

Rock of Gibraltar has been represented by three stakes winners in South Africa this season – Europa Point, Atyeb, and Gibraltar Blue.  Overall, the stallion has left behind seven individual black type winners in this country including the talented Perana, and the G1 winner Seventh Rock, a horse who has attracted plenty of attention as a young stallion.

Rock of Gibraltar’s progeny have also proven to be extremely versatile – his daughter, Gibraltar Blue, won this season’s G3 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge (over 1450m) while son, Atyeb, landed the G3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850 metres.

It is also interesting to note, that while some stallions seem to get stock more effective in some parts of the world than others, Rock Of Gibraltar has produced G1 winners in France, Hong Kong, North America, Australia, South Africa and Britain.

SA Ties To Top British 3yo

There are strong South Africa ties to one of this season’s most progressive 3yos, Mickdaam. The colt, who recently won the G3 Chester Vase (despite a rather poor ride),  is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who has raced such champions as Bold Silvano, Igugu, and Mahbooba in South Africa.
Mickdaam was purchased at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe, who snapped up the well bred bay up for 360,000 guineas.
The colt, who had previously won the Listed Al Bastikiya, is beautifully bred, being by world leading sire Dubawi, and is a half-brother to G1 winner Kinnaird. He has considerable stud value, with Dubawi, who stands for a stud fee the equivalent of R985,000,  being one of the most sought after sires in Europe. He is the sire of the 2012 Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso, among others.

Originally Mickdaam was being pointed at the Investec Derby, but unfortunately he has suffered a setback in training, and is likely to miss the Blue Riband.

Bayern Munich v Chelsea

After seeing off Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, the 2012 Champions League final sees German giants Bayern Munich hosting former English champions Chelsea. There isn’t much history between the two sides to look back on. Bayern possess the far superior record in the competition, this being their 9th final. So far they’ve won four and lost four, but interestingly have lost more often than not when matched up against English opposition, with Aston Villa beating them in 1982 and Manchester United in 1999. Neither of those matches though were in Munich, a place where English sides have only ever won once in European competition (Norwich in 1993).

Despite a German Cup Final thumping by arch rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend (5-2), who completed a domestic double, the attacking firepower of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben – who knows Chelsea as well as anyone – goal machine Mario Gomez, and the central threat of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller (second striker) is primed and ready to exploit Chelsea’s weaknesses. With Terry, the leader of the Chelsea defence, suspended for the final because of a red card received in the semi-final, the Blues back line will have to contain Munich striker Mario Gomez and co, or it’s going to be a disastrous night for them. Gomez is a strong striker who has a powerful shot and movement second to none. He dominated the Bundesliga this season with 26 goals in 33 appearances. A big plus for Bayern is home advantage. Domestically they won 14 of their 17 home matches scoring a handsome 49 goals and conceding only 6. They also won all 6 games played at home en route to this final  beating Real Madrid, Marseille, Basel (7-0), Manchester City, Napoli and Villarreal in the process.

Chelsea’s improbable comeback in the second leg of the semi-final at the Nou Camp against defending champions Barcelona with 10 men gave the team a ton of confidence and the belief that they can overcome any odds. However, defeating a world-class squad like Bayern will be tough for Chelsea since several important players are suspended for the final. Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles, John Terry and Ramires will all miss the final. Ramires is the biggest loss for the Blues because of his ability to defend, score on the attack and give the club pace in the middle of the pitch. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Chelsea has success if Didier Drogba doesn’t come to the party. He was key against Barcelona in the semi-final and his size and strength could be an advantage over a Munich defence that isn’t very big and is not used to dealing with strikers as powerful as him. Chelsea struggled on the road in the Premier League. In their 17 home matches they won only six matches, losing six and drawing seven. However, they are a revitalised outfit under Roberto Di Matteo who has surprisingly inspired them to win the FA Cup and brought them to the most prestigious cup final. Winning the Champions League will be the only way for the Blues to qualify for next seasons’ Champions League after finishing sixth on the league table and a chance for caretaker Di Matteo to boost his chances of being named permanent Chelsea Manager.

Both sides will start the match looking for the early goal with Chelsea probably likely to sit back if they are to get it. Bayern will be inspired at home and with their quality attack should get something early on and win the match.