Newsletter February 2009
January proved to be a big month for the progeny of Klawervlei stallions. National Emblem confirmed his place among the elite of South African sires with a pair of Grade One winners.
Rebel King has long been one of South Africa’s best sprinters, and the handsome chestnut broke through for his first Grade One win when landing the Cape’s premier sprint, the Cape Flying Championship. The entire was settled just off the pace and came with a flourish to defeat the classy pair of Blue Tiger and Gaultier. Out of Badger Land mare Cousin Linda, Rebel King has now won over R1 million in prize money. Like his sire, Rebel King is trained by Charles Laird.
Rebel King (National Emblem - Cousin Linda) - Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1)
Geoff Woodruff trains the top filly Emblem of Liberty. She caused one of the upsets of the season when defeating champion Dancer’s Daughter in the R1 million TBA Paddock Stakes. Emblem of Liberty dug deep to hold off the top-class older mare River Jetez in the finish, with Dancer’s Daughter only third.
Whilst it was a first Grade One win for Emblem of Liberty, she had previously won four other stakes races, including the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge. Out of a Kendor mare, Dafka, Emblem of Liberty has now won six races and will be a valuable broodmare prospect when she retires to stud.
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Emblem Of Liberty (National Emblem - Dafka AUS) - TBA Paddock Stakes (Grade 1)
National Emblem has long been known as a potent source of juvenile talent. His two-year-old son, Lt Samson, won first time out over 1000 meters. Trained by Alan Greeff, Lt Samson won by over 10 lengths and looks an exciting future prospect. He is a son of the winning Al Mufti mare Samson’s Queen.
Other winners for National Emblem in January include Fantasma, Springbok Summer and What I Really Mean.
January was also a big month for Casey Tibbs. One of South Africa’s most consistent stallions, Casey was represented by his first Grade One winner in the form of Big City Life.
Big City Life gave his trainer, Glen Kotzen, his first Cape classic win, when victorious in the Investec Cape Derby. Well fancied for the Guineas off his second place to Pocket Power in the Green Point Stakes, Big City Life showed an appreciation for the step up in class, and reversed the form with the Guineas winner Le Drakkar, who could only finish third. A full brother to the useful El Guerrouj, Big City Life will certainly be a horse to watch for in the upcoming Durban season.
Big City Life (Casey Tibbs - Dollar Crisis) - Investec Cape Derby (Grade 1)
Charles Laird trains the smart Cyber Case. Lightly raced, the four year-old won his third race at the Vaal recently. The gelding moved up with 300 meters to go and kept on gamely to hold off the charge of runner up Full Power. Cyber Case is at his best over sprint distances, unlike his illustrious half-brother, Jay Peg.
The filly, Irish Darling, took a while to break a maiden, but has come good since then. The Craig Eudey runner was placed in four of five starts before picking up her second career win. She strode clearly to win by over four lengths over 2400 meters, and should have more wins to come. Irish Darling is out of the talented racemare Firestar, by Fair Season.
Lightly raced three-year-old, Ultra Tune, picked up his second win in just five starts, when defeating a big field at Turffontein over 2600 meters. The colt made up ground late, under S’Manga Khumalo, to win going away for trainer Tyrone Zackey. Rated good enough to tackle Cerise Cherry in the Graham Beck, Ultra Tune should add further to his winning tally. His dam, Northern Melody, is a three time winning daughter of Northern Guest.
Other winners for Casey Tibbs during January included El Guerrouj and Newtown Abbey.
Captain Al was, as per usual, represented by a goodly share of winners last month.
Dance With Al showed plenty of promise at the beginning of her career, winning both starts in good fashion. She lost her way slightly since then, but bounced back on Met day to win going away from a useful field of fillies and mares. Trained by Justin Snaith, Dance With Al is out of the Dancing Champ mare, Dancing Miss.
Dance With Al (Captain Al - Dancing Miss)
Charles Laird trains the smart Galahad. Lightly raced, the colt added to his winning tally by scooting home, giving weight to the useful runner up, Fuzzy Cuzzy, over the Vaal’s 1000 meter course. To date, Galahad has won four of his seven starts, and has a distinct liking for the Vaal sand track. Arguably the best horse produced by former Oaks winner to date Danseuse Classique, Galahad has clearly plenty of ability.
A horse who won well at the second time of asking was the well regarded Al Felon. Third first time out to the very promising Disa Leader, Al Felon was sent off favourite and duly obliged, winning by a length over the stiff Turffontein mile. Trained by John Vos, Al Felon is out of the winning mare, Foxy Felon, from the famous Oilshow family.
Captain’s League has always been very talented. The Eric Sands inmate won his sixth race at Kenilworth, defeating the well regarded Royal Chalon by a neck in the process. Captain’s League, who earlier reeled off four consecutive wins, was given a fine ride by Karl Neisius, to come from just off the pace to win. Out of the talented Sportsworld mare Little League, Captain’s League is inbred to the great broodmare Gay Missile.
Other winners for Captain Al included Summer Recess, Solar Voyageur and Frusk.
Captain's League (Captain Al - Little League)
