Betting World 1900 Night - Trainer Comments

Journalist: David Thiselton – Gold Circle Publishing Department

MEDIA RELEASE

17 MAY 2017

Justin Snaith

The cold front which has brought heavy rains to KZN has made full work for Summerveld horses impossible. Trainer Justin Snaith, whose three charges Elusive Silva, It’s My Turn and Prince Of Wales are at the top the boards for Friday night’s Gr 2 Betting World 1900, said it would consequently be impossible to predict just how well his charges would run.

Snaith pointed out, on top of the horses’ interrupted program, another important aspect to training was for a horse to go into a race feeling well and he added, "They have been soaking wet for three days, there has been a huge amount of rain."

However, on the bright side, he said the Summerveld polytrack had allowed the horses to canter and he had also been "over the moon" with the well-being of the horses at the time of the cold front's arrival.

He also singled out Elusive Silva as a horse who had proven himself to be "useful" in soft conditions.

He added, “Above all it is important for racing to go ahead.”

Elusive Silva is the current Vodacom Durban July joint-second favourite, not surprisingly after his impressive win in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1800m at Greyville. Snaith pointed out he had needed that run and would still be well weighted for the Betting World 1900 as his merit rating of 99 happened to be at the top of one of the merit rated bands.

He said Prince Of Wales, running on third in the Sledgehammer, had probably needed the run even more than Elusive Silva had and would now be 1kg better off for a two length beating.

Elusive Silva was in 16th place on the first July log, while Prince Of Wales was among the first five horses just outside the top twenty. The former will thus need a good run to solidify his place and the latter will need a big run to impress the panellists.

It’s My Turn finished fourth in last year’s July. He will carry 60kg on Friday night and will have to give the whole field at least 2kg. It will be his first run since finishing a decent 5,65 length eighth in the Sun Met, where he carried a 2kg Gr 1 penalty. Interestingly he finished just 1,6 lengths behind the current July favourite Marinaresco in the Met at level weights. He will receive 4,5kg from the latter in the July, as things stand, yet Marinaresco is a 15/2 shot and It’s My Turn is at 22/1.

Snaith said It’s My Turn would not be at his best on Friday night as he had to ensure he lasted for the entire SA Champions Season. However, he rated him a July dark horse.

“He will be better weighted in the July than he was last year,” he concluded.

Snaith also spoke of the well-being of Zodiac Ruler, who made a decent start to his Champions Season campaign by finishing second in an Allowance Plate over 1400m and then third in the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas.

Zodiac Ruler was in 17th place on the July log and It’s My Turn was in 18th place.

Snaith said Krambambuli, whose last two runs have yielded wins in the Gr 2 Blue Label Telecoms Cape Stayers over 2800m at Kenilworth and the Non-Black Type Highland Night Cup over 2400m, would likely be weighted out of the Gold Cup, so this race was currently not on his list of targets. Krambambuli has virtually booked his July berth as he was in 13th place on the log.

Meanwhile, the yard’s champion filly Bela-Bela will start her Champions Season campaign in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville’s Festival Of Speed meeting. The connections, whilst keeping in mind how valuable she already is, would decide the rest of her Champions Season campaign after that race. Snaith said a tilt at the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge might be one of the options. Her two Gr 1 wins have been in the Woolavington 2000 and the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m and she is currently ninth on the July log.

Journalist: David Thiselton – Gold Circle Publishing Department

MEDIA RELEASE

17 MAY 2017

Newly licensed Summerveld trainer Nathan Kotzen attributes his passion for horseracing to his father, also named Nathan, and will attempt to get his career rolling on Friday night at Greyville where his classy filly Persian Rug runs in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup over 2000m.

The Ideal World filly infamously stopped in front of the grandstand shadow when looking to have the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes in the bag as a two-year-old. She became disappointing thereafter on the Highveld but her career took off again soon after she was sent back to Greyville. Her form points to 2000m being her best trip, but she does have a wide draw to overcome and has also had an interrupted preparation.

Kotzen said, “She injured a near hind stifle after her last start and had a hematoma so was out of work for a bit. Therefore, I would have liked to have had one more race going into this one. The recent rain also ruled out the one more gallop I would have liked. But she has had two gallops and has done well in her work. She is fit and should run well.”

Persian Rug is a massive filly and should be suited to soft ground. She won a 2000m fillies and mares handicap on the polytrack in January, but her most eye-catching performance this season was when running the decent gelding Celtic Captain to half-a-length over 2000m on the Greyville turf in February.

Kotzen is the younger brother of Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Glen. The brothers were taught the ropes by their father, who was both a jockey and a trainer.

Nathan has vast experience as a trainer of thoroughbreds and his new career ended a 16-year stint as assistant trainer to the legendary Mike de Kock. He obviously learnt a lot from De Kock but also attributed his overall knowledge to other trainers such as David Payne, Robbie Sivewright, Mike Azzie, Pat Shaw, Paddy Lunn, the late Michael Roberts and to his brother Glen.

Nathan helped De Kock win the KZN trainers title nine times between 2002 and 2012 and the Vodacom Durban July four times courtesy of Ipi Tombe, Greys Inn, Bold Silvano and Igugu. He was closely associated with other top horses such as Victory Moon, Flight Alert, Kildonan, Irish Flame, Vercingetorix and many others.

Nathan once dreamed of being a jockey, but was just too big to ever become one, although he did win plenty of races in the amateur ranks.

Nathan is already looking to move yards as his string has expanded to 22 and he has another four on the farm.

Among the owners supporting him are Mary and Jessica Slack, long time breeding and owning stalwarts of South African racing and loyal supporters of the De Kock yard.

The long-time KZN colours of the Armstrong family will also be seen on one of his runners. These black, white and red colours are owned today by former Gold Circle director Bruce Armstrong.

Nathan picked up a Master Of My Fate filly at the National Yearling Sales, and also picked up three at recent CTS sales and one at a dispersal sale. There were a couple of well-bred sorts among those.

Kotzen said experiencing the other side of the coin, where he was now master of the yard, had not really “hit him” yet but he did confirm there was added pressure.

He spoke of the help brother Glen had given him at the sales. The skills in this area is the most important asset needed to convert from a successful assistant to a successful trainer.

His father is helping him at the yard and eldest daughter Natasha will be doing the books.

The affable Nathan has always been an asset to South African racing and it would be no surprise to see him reach the heights brother Glen has.

Persian Rug, whom he has always had a share in, will be the second runner of his licensed career.

Journalist: David Thiselton – Gold Circle Publishing Department

MEDIA RELEASE

18 MAY 2017

The Glen Kotzen-trained Banner Hill has become a Vodacom Durban July dark horse since winning his SA Champions Season pipe opener over 1800m on the Greyville turf in impressive style on April 9.

The four-year-old Maine Chance Farms-bred Tiger Hill gelding will attempt to qualify for the big race on Friday night at Greyville, where he runs in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900.

Kotzen said, “He had always been our Gold Cup horse. But, when he won that 1800m race we opted for the July route. He now just has to run a cracker from a wide draw on Friday night. He is absolutely flying at home. He likes to run fresh, so we have given him a breather since that last win.”

The latter point might give him an edge, because the big rains over the last week have prevented any KZN horses from doing full work. Furthermore, the likely soft conditions tomorrow night will make the race more testing, which will play into his hands as he is a versatile type who has won from 1600m up to 3200m. Lastly, that 1800m win at Greyville was in “very soft” going, so he will enjoy the going conditions.

Banner Hill’s win on April 9 was his first outing since winning the Gr 3 Chairmans Cup over 3200m at Kenilworth. He raced off a 93 merit rating in the MR 93 1800m-handicap, meaning he had to carry topweight of 60kg. The long-striding bay went handy from draw five and was suited by a good pace. This allowed him to turn it on impressively at the top of the straight and from there on in he stayed on resolutely to win by 2,75 lengths.

Banner Hill has been raised to a 99 merit rating and faces a considerably stronger field tomorrow night. He did not feature in the first July log, so will need a big run. He jumps from draw 15 of 15, but a big plus point is that the world class Richard Fourie remains aboard. He will need a strong pace and could be vulnerable to horses which quicken well. However, he will be staying all the way to the line.

Banner Hill’s sire Tiger Hill stands in Germany at Gestüt Fährhof, owned by Andreas Jacobs, who owns Maine Chance Farms in South Africa. This Danehill stallion won three Grade 1s between one mile two furlongs (2000m) and one mile four furlongs (2400m) in the late 1990s. In 1998 he finished a one length third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the following year finished fifth in that elite event. As a sire Tiger Hill has produced the like of Rewilding, whose two Gr 1 wins include the Dubai Sheema Classic over a mile and four furlongs and Royal Ascot’s Prince Of Wales Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. Rewilding also finished third in the Investec Epsom Derby.

Kotzen secured Banner Hill for R200,000 at the CTS Premier Yearling Sale in 2014.

Banner Hill was an August 1 foal but started his career late, in the December of his three-year-old year, for two reasons. He injured himself one day after breaking loose and he is also a late maturing type. Kotzen confirmed Banner Hill was currently improving “month by month.”

Betting World are taking little chance with Banner Hill and have priced him up at 8/1 for the 1900 and 55/1 for the July.

Journalist: David Thiselton – Gold Circle Publishing Department

MEDIA RELEASE

18 MAY 2017

High-flying Highveld trainer Geoff Woodruff has two runners in Friday night’s Betting World 1900 on the Greyville turf, the geldings Master Switch and Go Deputy.

Unlike the KZN-based horses, whose programs have been affected by the heavy rains over the last week, they have not missed any work as they have been prepared for the race at Randjesfontein. However, Woodruff admitted to being concerned by their wide draws and the going conditions on the rain affected track.

On the latter point the pair were not bothered by the “very soft” conditions in their last start in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m on Turffontein Standside. Master Switch appeared to have that race in the bag after quickening well from the back of the field. However, Go Direct then came flying out of the pack to nab him on the line.

Woodruff said about Go Direct, “He is just a lovely little horse who is very honest. I told Marco (Van Rensburg) to wait with him for as long as possible. He was never out of his ground.”

At first sight it appeared Go Direct had needed every inch of the long Turffontein straight, but bearing Woodruff’s clarifying comment in mind he should have no problem with the short Greyville straight.

However, Woodruff admitted he would need luck in running from draw 13. He is only 1kg worse off with Master Switch for the neck beating and has clearly come into his own in the typical fashion of a Go Deputy four-year-old. Van Rensburg retains the ride.

Woodruff said Go Direct had not been a Vodacom Durban July consideration before that last win, but were he to win tomorrow night he would be supplemented for the big race.

Master Switch has run twice at Greyville before. He was backed into 7/1 third favourite for last season’s 1900 and ran a touch disappointingly, finishing a 4,7 length seventh. He stayed on at one pace from a good draw that night. Then on July day he missed the break, a rarity for him, in the Gr 3 Delta Airlines 2200. He then over raced at the back of the field, so did well to run on for a 3,6 length fifth. Woodruff believed he would have won the race had he not missed the break.

Chase Maujean had no problem settling Master Switch in that last start at Turffontein, which augurs well for the horse tomorrow night. Anton Marcus is now aboard the Mayfair Speculators-owned five-year-old Jet Master gelding and might well opt to drop him out from his draw of nine, because with the front-running Serissa in the field there should be a decent pace.

Woodruff confirmed Master Switch had improved in the last 12 months. The pair were being transported down to KZN on Wednesday. Woodruff has boxes at Summerveld for the Champions Season, but will raid for his campaigners’ first runs and then keep them at Summerveld from then onwards.

Master Switch is the 1900 second favourite at 7/2 with the sponsor and Go Direct is at 16/1. Master Switch was in 20th place on the first July log, so will need a big run to book his place. He is currently a 35/1 shot for the July.

Woodruff has just come off another big race win on the Highveld, landing the R4 million Premier’s Champions Challenge with Deo Juvente, who started the race at 25/1 and upset the Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle. That saw Deo Juvente being put in number one spot on the July log and he is also now the joint highest rated entry on 115. Woodruff said Deo Juvente had come out of the race “very well.” However, he will have a tough task carrying topweight in the July and Betting World currently have him at 33/1.

For me a top bet tomorrow night has to be Secret Captain in the 8th Race. I can't believe that some bookies have Edict Of Nantes at the top of the boards. He has been off since his win in the Cape Derby and is clearly aimed at bigger things, considering he has already qualified for the July. He also has to give Secret Captain all of 9 kg's.

Secret Captain ran a cracking second behind Janoobi over the course and distance last time out. He is having his 3rd run after a rest and should be cherry ripe tomorrow. Even though Lady Of The House is better in on the official ratings, Secret Captain probably ran to around a 99 last time out, putting them on a par. On lengths behind however he would have finished around 10 lengths ahead of Lady of the House last time out and will meet at the same weight terms. It was Lady Of The House's first run back that day so should have come on but I can't see her getting too close to Secret Captain. Keegan gets along well with the horse and looks very hard to oppose.

At the weights I cannot see anything else getting close to Secret Captain and make him a 5 star bet. Take as much of the 16/10 and 17/10 on offer as I am sure he will start much shorter, if not in the red.

shrek wrote: For me a top bet tomorrow night has to be Secret Captain in the 8th Race. I can't believe that some bookies have Edict Of Nantes at the top of the boards. He has been off since his win in the Cape Derby and is clearly aimed at bigger things, considering he has already qualified for the July. He also has to give Secret Captain all of 9 kg's.

Secret Captain ran a cracking second behind Janoobi over the course and distance last time out. He is having his 3rd run after a rest and should be cherry ripe tomorrow. Even though Lady Of The House is better in on the official ratings, Secret Captain probably ran to around a 99 last time out, putting them on a par. On lengths behind however he would have finished around 10 lengths ahead of Lady of the House last time out and will meet at the same weight terms. It was Lady Of The House's first run back that day so should have come on but I can't see her getting too close to Secret Captain. Keegan gets along well with the horse and looks very hard to oppose.

At the weights I cannot see anything else getting close to Secret Captain and make him a 5 star bet. Take as much of the 16/10 and 17/10 on offer as I am sure he will start much shorter, if not in the red.

Agree - got some 2/1 yesterday

Got a bit of 28-10 when WSB opened betting and within minutes price as gone......shrewdies were wide awake and waiting For the betting :evil: now for the win SC..

rolands song wrote: Got a bit of 28-10 when WSB opened betting and within minutes price as gone......shrewdies were wide awake and waiting For the betting :evil: now for the win SC..

Saw that too. Would have taken the 28/10 too but have limits on my account with them.

Have been impressed with Secret Captain every time if seen him and am surprised that he has managed to have his MR where it is.
He ran very well in a sprint and then followed up behind Janoobi . At the weights he has to go close here and was already on my shortlist for Daily news.

Race 7 - Elusive Silva 33/10 (into 5/2 now)


Landed me an excellent touch on his comeback win. That was an important win - showed he retained his ability and likes the Greyville circuit. I thought the 33/10 was a great price and it's no surprise to see him shorten. I think he's so well-weighted here. Snaith said Elusive Silva was going to be his Met horse before injury - if you look at It's My Turn who ran in the Met and where he ran there it shows you where Elusive Silva should in theory be rated.

I only have two concerns. First being it's his 2nd run after rest and he's already on the log for the July so while he does have to run well here, he can probably scrape in without winning this. I'd like to see him made to work here so we can see how good he is. Good draw, Delpech up, goes on soft ground, he should run a cracker tomorrow night.

MOMF how would you rate Go Direct and what would you think of its chances in the BW1900 , considering that Go Direct had run behind Elusive Silva: 28/10/2015 KNI Race 5 1600
3 [2.0] Elusive Silva (58) 16-1
5 [3.3] Go Direct (58) 4-1
also Go Direct maybe supplemented for the July should he win the BW1900, i feel that Go Direct has made sufficient improvement to win the BW1900.

shrek wrote:

rolands song wrote: Got a bit of 28-10 when WSB opened betting and within minutes price as gone......shrewdies were wide awake and waiting For the betting :evil: now for the win SC..

Saw that too. Would have taken the 28/10 too but have limits on my account with them.

why do you have limits ?