The "Feature" Edition
The Cape summer season is fast approaching, so we thought in this edition we would give you an insight on how our anticipated feature race contenders are coming along. This year we feel our Colts may have the upper hand on the Fillies but only time will tell. Below is a list we have compiled together with their profiles, itineraries and progress reports.
Senior Colts and Geldings
Pocket Power
SIRE
Jetmaster
DAM
Stormsvlei
SIRE OF DAM
Prince Florimund
After a somewhat plagued Durban season for South Africa’s Horse Of The Year. Pocket Power fans will be pleased to know that he appears to be back to his best delivering some top notch work at home and we are all very excited with his forthcoming Cape campaign. The break since his return has done him very well and he seems to be free of his foot troubles for the time being. Pocket Power will be aiming to repeat his last season triumphs in the Queens Plate and J&B Metropolitan again.
Floatyourboat
SIRE
Jetmaster
DAM
Foverington
SIRE OF DAM
Foveros (GB)
Investec Derby winner Floatyourboat, returning to the track after two knee surgeries, will place his bid this season where we will be aiming him for the Queens Plate and J&B Met. We are very happy with his work and we were pleased with his last two races, although not finishing in the money the Jock’s reported that he was traveling very well to a point before tiring as his fitness levels are nowhere near to where they should be. The light tracks at home have made it difficult to get him fit, but we feel as the tracks dry up we will be able to get a lot more work into him. He is a horse that takes an immense amount of work and we will start to step it up now as his previous injuries do not seem to be hampering him at all at the moment.
Hilgrove
SIRE
Casey Tibbs (IRE)
DAM
Leap To Fame
SIRE OF DAM
Truely Nureyev (USA)
Premier Stakes winner Hilgrove has returned from a rest on the farm after his Durban campaign where he found a few too good in the Durban July and Gold Challenge. The handicapper appears to have him at their mercy at present but if we get him back to his best he may be able to pick up another feature this season. He will again be aimed at races like the Premiers Trophy and the likes there of.
Bill Of Rights
By: Saumarez
Out Of: Fine Series
By: Fine Edge (GB)
A surprise package since entering the yard, he sustained a career threatening injury as a yearling but has since blossomed into a very handy stayer, picking up the grade 3 Winter Derby late last season. He is very consistent in his work at home and we will be steering him down a similar road to Hilgrove and he if can show his worth along the way we hope to qualify him for the J&B Met in February.
Naughty Prince
SIRE
Casey Tibbs (IRE)
DAM
Naughty Princess
SIRE OF DAM
Develish Ninja (USA)
A consistent son of Casey Tibbs. He took some time to mature and strengthen up but has since furnished into a lovely Horse. He picked up a group three status in the Winter Classic over 1800m and his close up second to State Crown in the Winter Guineas to clinch the overall Winter Series proves he is no slouch. He will be aimed at the premiers trophy and the Peninsula Handicap this season.
Dunford
SIRE
Shalford (IRE)
DAM
Pelican Brief
SIRE OF DAM
Piaffer (USA)
A small fellow with a Lion heart who always tries his best. He is getting along now but with age seems to relish the ground. We cant ask too much from him as he has done it all already, But we would not be surprised to see him romp home a another small feature this season if all things go his way.
Global One
By: Nureyev (USA)
Out Of: Fifth Award (USA)
By Houston (USA)
One of Nureyev’s last progenies to grace the track. Owned by the Tawny Syndicate, Global One is a 4 time winning Australian import who has recently joined our yard to see out the remainder of his racing career before standing at Stud. Impeccably bred, he is a beautiful specimen to look at and although already 6 years of age, his powerful work at home may make him a force to be reckoned with in the sprints this year.
Older Fillies
Zooming Zellie
King Of Kings (IRE)
DAM:
Bezelle (GB)
SIRE OF DAM:
Dominion (GB)
Out of a group 1 winning mare , she is possibly our best filly in training at present. She had an extremely unlucky Durban season with poor health when she arrived causing her to miss the SA fillies sprint and some very bad luck in the running. She is very well at present and we will be concentrating her over the sprint distances, particularly the Merchants as well as all the fillies sprints. Her maximum distance would probably be the 1400m and we hope she is able to pick up a group 1 this season.
River Jetez
SIRE
Jetmaster
DAM
Stormsvlei
SIRE OF DAM
Prince Florimund
As you know a full sister to Pocket Power. She picked up 2 feature races in Durban last season, the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu stakes over 1400m and the Gr2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m. Like her brother she is a versatile sort but as she has matured she appears to relish the ground. We hope to have her at her peak come the Paddock Stakes in January.
Cymbeline
SIRE
Counter Action
DAM
Ratafia
SIRE OF DAM
Flaming Rock (IRE)
A big, strong good looking daughter of stable trained champion Counter Action. From 12 starts she has only finished out of the placing’s on 1 occasion being her debut start. Already a small black type winner of the Winter Oaks, we hope to pick up some graded features with her this season with her main aim being the Paddock stakes. She is very well at present.
3 Y O Colts
Blue Tiger
By: Counter Action
Out Of: Manuka
By: Rainbow Dream (FR)
Very highly rated in the Bass stable and one whom we think will be a huge contender for feature races this season. Probably our best candidate along with Air Combat to stake their claim on the Guineas this year. We have been very happy with his races to date and perhaps a little unlucky not to have picked up one or two features already.
Definitely one to watch out for in the future.
Air Combat
By: Jet Master
Out Of: Shoot The Booze
By: All Fired Up (USA)
As mentioned, along with Blue Tiger he should be a big runner in the Guineas this season. Only met the track once in Durban where he set a new class record on Debut. Being a Jet Master, predictably we have taken our time with him as his temperament is a little on the nervous side and we feel with time he will be a very exciting prospect in our yard. The reports on his work at home have been excellent.
Field Event
By: Western Winter (USA)
Out Of: Field Princess
By: Northfields (USA)
Tall good looking son of Western Winter who has recently joined our yard from Neil Bruss who now resides in England. Not yet raced on Cape soil, his record speaks for itself. After winning on debut his next two starts in the Gr2 Umkhomazi and the Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m he finished 5th and 4th respectively. We feel he is looking for a lot more ground now and his main mission this season will be the Derby over 2000m on Met day.
Road To Reason
By: Joshua Dancer (USA)
Out Of: Treasure Teft
By: Goldmark
Joshua Dancers have already made an impact in the Cape this season and Road To Reason has been no exception. He is from the direct family of Perfect Order and Counter Action. Home bred by Owner’s Mr Deon Nel and Lukas Theron he has begun his early career well with two wins after his debut performance, both over sprint distances. We feel he will definitely need more ground as he matures and we hope he will be a lively contender in a few of the smaller features this season.
Gold Man
Sire: Goldkeeper (USA)
Dam: Love Of Eros
Sire of Dam: Foveros (GB)
Won his maiden sprint with ease after being left in the pens at the start. He is a late maturing colt that will need much more ground later on. Although early to tell at this stage his work at home is nothing short of impressive and if he continues to improve like he has been we must include him as an impending feature race nominee.
3 Y O Fillies
Aquatint
SIRE:
Peintre Celebre (USA)
DAM:
Sakieh (IRE)
SIRE OF DAM:
Green Desert (USA)
A very well bred and talented Filly who puts up phenomenal work at home. She has yet to break her maiden, but we feel with time she will grow into herself nicely and we will direct her towards a few fillies features this year.
Journal
Sire: Saumarez (GB)
Dam: Classique Story
Sire of Dam: Ellidor (FR)
Won impressively on debut, but since then has not quite run to expectations; however she is still lightly raced and shows a fair bit of potential. Being by Saumarez she will probably look for further and we hope she could prove to be a contender for a few fillies features this season.
Sing Dixie Sing
By: Western Winter (USA)
Out Of: Whistling Dixie
By: Raise A Man (USA)
A very strong well bred Filly out of the speedy mare Whistling Dixie. She won on debut but we are not quite sure as to what her preferred distance will be. She shows potential at home and we feel she could be a prospective candidate to line up in a few fillies features. Time should tell the tale with her.
Una Invitata
By: Confidential Talk (USA)
Out Of:Verdadeira
By: Haras Basano
A very recent Brazilian import to come into the yard. Her sister was the Champion Triple Crown winner Colina Verde who was the first filly to win the Triple Crown in Brazil since her own third dam Emerald Hill pulled off the trick 29 years earlier. Too soon to tell but she is very well conformed and we would obviously be delighted if she could follow up the talent of her Great Sister.
Via Della
By: National Assembly (CAN)
Out Of: Doradella
By: Elliodor (FR)
A well bred rangy Filly from the family of Doradella. A win and 3 places from four starts to date. Still very early to tell but shows fair ability at this stage, as she matures she will need further and we feel she will be a candidate for the Fillies features.
for the Fillies features.
