Photocopy on the mark
PAUL REEVES celebrated his 51st birthday yesterday and victory for Photocopy in the opening Itsarush.co.za Welcome Maiden at Durbanville today would be a most welcome present.
The four-year-old is a consistent, albeit frustrating, sort who has been placed in all but one of his 11 starts but for a long time his trainer has been saying that his trip is a mile. Yet he runs over 1 250m here.
“Yes, I always thought he would be best over a mile but I now believe that is in the summer,” Reeves explains. “He doesn’t like the wet and a mile on softish ground at the end of May proved to be too far.
“This 1 250m should be perfect for him and if he doesn’t win today he is not the horse I thought he was!”
Reeves rode nearly 300 winners before a freak head-on collision riding work on the Milnerton training track ended his career.
He started training nearly nine years ago and has earned a reputation as a hard-worker who can be guaranteed to get the best out of even the most moderate horse.
Photocopy probably has most to fear from Tyrian who is ridden by Richard Fourie, the rider of Photocopy in five of the latter’s last six starts.
The Dynasty colt raced green on debut and was 9-10 favourite with World Sports Betting yesterday when Photocopy was a 5-2 chance. However the weights favour Photocopy. He has only to concede 2kg to the younger horse whereas the weight-for-age scale says he should be giving away 8kg.
Whatever his fortunes on Tyrian, Fourie should win the TAB Telebet Maiden on Margrethe 35 minutes later if he can only keep the Justin Snaith filly calm in the pens.
She ran a most encouraging debut only to become fractious in the stalls on her last start. She got extremely upset and reared repeatedly. She was in no frame of mind to race when the gates eventually opened and she only managed fourth. She has been backed from 11-10 to 8-10 with Touch Of Green (13-2) and newcomer Princess Irene (11-2) also in contention.
Beautiful Beat
Beautiful Beat (15-2) is another with claims. Ikebana (7-10) is the obvious choice for the Tabonline.co.za Handicap after finishing well last time but don’t ignore 15-2 shot China Wolf as she is expected to leave last time’s disappointing effort behind her.
“It was her first run out of the maidens and she was taking on the boys,” says Dan Katz. “She got a bit interfered with but she flew home. She is a big runner.”
Forest Prince (13-10) stands out in the Betting World Handicap despite a poor draw and losing ground at the start last time.
Those looking for a better price (and a slightly better draw) may like to consider Astrapi at 92.
Blue Roller has been second on all his four starts but his turn should finally come in the Play Soccer Maiden, particularly with Aldo Domeyer’s mount stepping up to a mile. THE EQUUS AWARDS voting panel met at Greyville on Saturday evening, 28 July to finalise the nominees and winners for this season’s awards.
The first round of nominations were submitted after Vodacom Durban July Day.
The voting panel comprised of Matthew Lips, Robert Garner, Roger Smith, David Thiselton and Larry Wainstein as non-voting chairperson.
The categories and finalists are: Champion Two-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Soqrat, van Halen Champion Two-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Mighty High, Return Flight Champion Three-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Bold Respect, Do It Again, Eyes Wide Open, Hero’s Honour, Lobo’s Legend, Surcharge, Tap O’ Noth, Undercover Agent. Champion Three-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Oh Susanna (Aus), Snow Dance. Champion Older Male – distance immaterial: Captain America, Coral Fever, Legal Eagle, Will Pays. Champion Older Filly/Mare – distance immaterial: Nother Russia, Redberry Lane, Sommerlied. Champion Sprinter – (1 000 – 1 200m; age/gender immaterial): Attenborough, Bold Respect, Sergeant Hardy, Will Pays. Champion Miler – (1400 – 1600; age/gender immaterial): Legal Eagle, Snow Dance, Undercover Agent. Champion Middle Distance – (1 800 – 2 200; age/gender immaterial): Captain America, Coral Fever, Do It Again, Oh Susanna (Aus). Champion Stayer – (2400 and up; age/gender immaterial): Hero’s Honour, It’s my Turn.
Voting Criteria The awards are based on graded races and in particular Grade 1 races. As regards the stayer category, the winning horse will be at the discretion of the voting panel.
This decision was taken as the only Grade 1 race in SA is the SA Derby, which would mean that this should be the obvious winner based on a single run. This would also have excluded fillies and mares. Breeder Awards: Stallion of the Year Broodmare of the Year Breeder of the Year The Thoroughbred Breeders Association may include outstanding and/or international
achievement awards.
Individual Awards: Champion Apprentice Champion Jockey Champion Owner (based on stakes earned) Champion Trainer (based on stakes earned) Industry Merit Awards Horse of the Year Award The awards are a glittering black-tie gala event that takes place at the Convention Centre at Emperor’s Palace on Tuesday, August 14.
Basel
Clyde Basel will be the master of ceremonies for the evening and guests will be treated to an array of entertainment. There will also be an after party at the same venue.
If you wish to purchase tickets (R700 per person) for this event, please contact Penny Morsner at the Racing Association on (011) 683-3220 or email penny@racingassociation.co.za