GREYVILLE at 5 July 2003
Race 7 : VODACOM DURBAN JULY (GRADE 1)  R1500000 (2200m) at 16:20

Best in on ratings | Class indicator | How they rate to finish at best | Equipment changes | Take Note

 

No.	Runner	Age	Sex	Draw	Kg	Lbs	Race FMR	FMR minus Wt.	Jockey	Bl	Alum.	Days since last run
1	FREE MY HEART	7	G	15	58	128	134	6	R HILL	B	A	11
2	SET AFIRE	4	G	5	54.5	120	125	5	B FAYD'HERBE	B	A	11
3	WOLF WHISTLE	4	C	10	54	119	125	6	K SHEA	B	A	11
4	DYNASTY	3	C	20	53	117	129	12	R FRADD		A	17
5	AFRICAN LION	4	C	4	53	117	124	7	A MARCUS		A	11
6	FANTASTIC HORSE (ARG)	4	G	18	52	114	124	10	B VORSTER		A	17
7	RED BADGE	4	C	6	52	114	124	10	G HATT		A	19
8	SURVEYOR	3	G	19	51.5	113	125	12	A DELPECH	B	A	17
9	YARD-ARM	3	C	11	51.5	113	125	12	P STRYDOM		A	11
10	HIDE OUT	5	G	14	51.5	113	123	10	M V'Rensburg		A	11
11	BIANCONI	3	C	3	51	112	118	6	J LLOYD		A	19
12	HAIL CAESOUR	5	G	12	51	112	122	10	B SMITH		A	11
13	ORATORY	5	G	7	51	112	123	11	M ODENDAAL		A	17
14	STEIGER	4	G	16	50	110	123	13	C ORFFER		A	11
15	COUSIN JOHN	4	G	8	50	110	113	3	F NAUDE		A	11
16	DELAWARE PARK	4	G	13	50	110	115	5	M BYLEVELD		A	19
17	DOUBLE REEF (NZ)	6	C	1	50	110	123	13	D SAMPSON	B	A	11
18	SPECIAL PARADE	4	F	9	50	110	117	7	K DERERE		A	11
19	MONET	4	C	2	50	110	122	12	M KHAN		A	19
20	NAME THE KEY	5	C	17	50	110	114	4	S BROWN		A	19

BEST IN ON RATINGS		CLASS INDICATOR
DOUBLE REEF (NZ) 13 STEIGER 13 DYNASTY 12 MONET 12 SURVEYOR 12 YARD-ARM 12 ORATORY 11 FANTASTIC HORSE (ARG) 10 HAIL CAESOUR 10 HIDE OUT 10 RED BADGE 10 AFRICAN LION 7 SPECIAL PARADE 7 BIANCONI 6 FREE MY HEART 6 WOLF WHISTLE 6 DELAWARE PARK 5 SET AFIRE 5 NAME THE KEY 4 COUSIN JOHN 3		DYNASTY 136 FREE MY HEART 134 SURVEYOR 132 YARD-ARM 132 BIANCONI 125 SET AFIRE 125 WOLF WHISTLE 125 AFRICAN LION 124 FANTASTIC HORSE (ARG) 124 RED BADGE 124 DOUBLE REEF (NZ) 123 HIDE OUT 123 ORATORY 123 STEIGER 123 HAIL CAESOUR 122 MONET 122 SPECIAL PARADE 117 DELAWARE PARK 115 NAME THE KEY 114 COUSIN JOHN 113

 

		This graphic represents the projected order of finish, provided each horse reproduces its best exposed form. Other factors which affect performance, such as: draw, state of going, distance suitability, jockeyship, current form etc., are not factored into this calculation.
Each horse icon = 1 length
DOUBLE REEF (NZ)	0
STEIGER	0
DYNASTY	-0.67
MONET	-0.67
SURVEYOR	-0.67
YARD-ARM	-0.67
ORATORY	-1.33
FANTASTIC HORSE (ARG)	-2
HAIL CAESOUR	-2
HIDE OUT	-2
RED BADGE	-2
AFRICAN LION	-4
SPECIAL PARADE	-4
BIANCONI	-4.67
FREE MY HEART	-4.67
WOLF WHISTLE	-4.67
DELAWARE PARK	-5.33
SET AFIRE	-5.33
NAME THE KEY	-6
COUSIN JOHN	-6.67

FMR - Form Merit Ratings represent a rating of the runner's best not current performance level.

THE THREE-YEAR-OLDS

A 3-y-o in July is equivalent to an 18 year old in human terms. On average they still have 4 to 5 lengths (approximately 7lb) weight-for-age improvement to make. They are at a transitional stage in their careers - not at their full powers, but capable of taking on the older horses if they have an adequate pull in the weights.

A very powerful contigent of four crack colts represents the 3-y-o's in this race:

DYNASTY - Rated 136+. Carries 53 kg from No 20 draw - a formidable task for a 3-y-o. But this is a formidable racehorse - Has won 7 of 9 starts and 2nd twice. High points include:

1) A 5,5 length romp over African Lion and Free My Heart in Green Point Stakes; 23 November.

2) A spectacular 4,5 length victory in Cape Derby after racing wide and being checked in straight; 15 February.

3) Unchallenged 3 length victory in SA Guineas; 3 May.

4) Unextended 2,25 length defeat of Surveyor in Daily News 2000; 8 June.


Considered by both Dean Kannemeyer and Karl Neisius to be the best horse they have ever been associated with, but just how good is he? We will only know after the running of the race. He will need all of Karl Neisius' supreme skill and more than a little luck to beat the worst draw under 53 kg.

We believe that he is unquestionably the best horse in the race and we may have underrated him at 136.

SURVEYOR - Rated 132?. If this race was run at Turffontein this rattling good colt would be very hard to beat. Victories at that track for this winner of 8 of 17 starts include:

1) The Dingaans. 1600m.

2) Triple Crown Gr1. 1600m.

3) SA Classic Gr1. 1800m.

4) Tony Ruffel (Listed) 1600m
- all in the space of under 4 months.


Surveyor is a long-striding colt who needs a strong pace to be fully effective. He is bred to be most effective at 2400 metres. At his last 2 starts, both over this Greyville track, he ran well below par when

1) 3,5 lengths behind Dynasty in SA Guineas.

2) 2,25 lengths behind Dynasty in Daily News 2000, beating his stablemate Big Bad John by 1,25 lengths.

DAVID FERRARIS: "I was very disappointed with Surveyor's last 2 runs at Greyville. He finished behind Domino Man in the Guineas. He had beaten this good colt by nearly 5 lengths in the SA Classic. Based on their work at home I think that he is a vastly superior horse to Big Bad John, so I can't accept the Daily News form. Prior to the Daily News Surveyor galloped with Set Afire at Greyville. He beat him easily. Set Afire then won the Gold Challenge from African Lion, Wolf Whistle and Domino Man.
"Perhaps it was the poor pace of the Daily News that resulted in Big Bad John finishing so close to Surveyor. He is nicely weighted in the July, but is badly drawn. Because there is no doubt in my mind that he is a much better horse than Set Afire I think that with 51,5 kg he should have the beating of most of the older horses as long as there is a decent pace and Anthony can overcome the draw.
"Dynasty is an exceptional colt, but so too is Surveyor. Should he reproduce his Turffontein form he will be right there at the finish. He is doing very well in his preparation."

YARD-ARM - Rated 132?. A winner of 4 of 7 starts to date and twice 2nd to Surveyor in Gr1 classics. Form high points:

1) Ran Surveyor to 1,75 lengths in Gr1 Triple Crown 1600 when still very green.

2) Had Surveyor at full stretch in a stirring battle for SA Classic Gr1 1800m.

3) Romped home by almost 8 lengths from Big Bad John in Gr1 SA Derby.

4) Made all under 57,5 kg when giving very smart Sports Warrior a 10lb weight-for-age beating in the 1800m Cup Trial at Clairwood.

GEOFF WOODRUFF: "Yard-Arm galloped very well before the Cup Trial and then won the race the hard way when leading all the way under 57,5 kg. This colt has enormous potential, and may just be mature enough to win here under 51,5 kg. He will have his final gallop at Greyville so I would like to think that negative track bias won't be his undoing. He has loads of both speed and stamina and the services of a fine rider. I will be very disappointed if he doesn't run a big race. He looks a champion of the future."

"Yard-Arm and Monet galloped at catch weights which means that Yard-Arm was conceding his companion 7 kilograms (15lbs). Both horses worked well. Considering that he was carrying so much more weight than the 4-y-o I think that Yard-Arm's workout was exceptional."

BIANCONI - Rated 125. Has won 6 of 12 starts. Showed top-class ability and courage when a hard fought 1/2 length 2nd to Set Afire and Wolf Whistle in the Gr1 Champion Stakes 2000m Turffontein. Finished close-up in false run Greyville 1900m. Seems held at the weights by the other 3 three-year-olds but has a good draw and only 51 kg.

OLDER HORSES

Please note that our ratings reflect on assessment of a horse's best form, not current form.

FREE MY HEART - Rated 134. Has won 12 races including a remarkable 8 Grade 1 stakes. Carried 57 kg in 2001 July when 3 lengths behind Trademark (received 5 kg) - the run-of-the-race at the weights! This grand 7-y-o gelding faces a tough task under 58 kg from draw 15.

SET AFIRE - Rated 125. Talented and courageous winner of 10 races including 3 Gr1 stakes from last 3 starts. Well drawn, but also faces big task under 54,5 kg.


WOLF WHISTLE - Rated 125. Winner of 7 and placed 2 or 3rd in 5 Gr1 Stakes. Best recent form rates him very close to Set Afire. Ran a big race when 1,35 lengths behind Monet (received 13 half-kilos) under 58 kg in Greyville 1900 - the run-of-the-race. Now has a 5 half-kilo (2,5 lengths) pull in the weights. Top-class, game and consistent.


AFRICAN LION - Rated 124. Has won 5 and 2nd 5 times from 15 starts. Showed top-class merit when 1 length 2nd to Free My Heart in Gr1 Queen's Plate. Ran horribly wide when only 4 lengths behind Angus under 53 kg in J & B Met. Ran a big trial when neck 2nd to Set Afire in Gr1 Gold Challenge, beating Wolf Whistle narrowly. With 53 kg now has these 2 well held at weights. Expect a big run from No 4 draw.


FANTASTIC HORSE (ARG) - Rated 124. Has won 8 of 21 starts including 5 races from 1400 - 2200m, 1 over 2400, 1 over 3000, 1 over 3200m. Showed great fight when beating Oratory by 0,75 lengths to win Gr1 Gold Bowl. Was conceding 3 half-kilos to Oratory when 0,5 lengths behind him in Lonsdale 2400m Greyville in his prep. Top-class, consistent and working very well. Big drop in weights at 52 kg. Despite his bad draw at 18 we expect him to give the 3-y-o's plenty to think about.


RED BADGE - Rated 124. Defeated African Lion by 0,75 lengths to win Winter Classic (1800m) in June last year. Ran Wolf Whistle to 0,75 lengths in Darley Arabian 1800m on July day last year. 3 Lengths behind Key Of Destiny in Natal Derby. Impressive when 2,75 lengths 4th to Angus (received 1 half-kilo) in J & B Met. Was badly hampered when 1,75 lengths 3rd to Monet (received 9 half-kilos) in Greyville 1900. Reported to be working very well.
Top-class 4-y-o. Well drawn. Well weighted at 52 kg. Must be a big runner.


HIDE OUT - Rated 123+. Unbeaten Champion 2-y-o Zimbabwe. Rattling good 3-y-o with victories in Castle Tankard and Turf Championship and 2nd to Stay Alert under 54 kg in OK Grand Challenge. Moved to South Africa with Paul Matchett as a 4-y-o. Has won 3 races at 4 and 5 and showed a welcome return to best when a top-class 0,75 length 2nd to Hail Caesour (received 3 half-kilos) in Jubilee Hcp on June 14. In that race gave a 5lb beating to top-class De Los Rios.

PAUL MATCHETT: "Because of soundness problems Hide Out lost his form when we moved to South Africa last season. "He has had only 5 starts as a 5-y-o, 4 sprints and then the Jubilee Hcp. He won 2 of those sprints and has made steady progress in soundness and fitness to peak for this race. He ran an excellent race under 58 kg in the Jubilee Hcp and I think he will be back to best in the July. He deserves the utmost respect with only 51,5 kg.


HAIL CAESOUR - Rated 122+. A winner of 7 races from only 14 lifetime starts to date. Showed big promise at 3 when 3,55 lengths behind Champion Celtic Grove in SA Guineas. Raced only twice due to unsoundness at 4. Has put up excellent performance at every one of 6 starts at 5 including 3 wins, a 3rd in November Hcp (beaten 0,5 lengths) and his impressive winning July trial in the 1800m Jubilee Hcp.

ALEC LAIRD: "I think that I would rate him as just top-class, certainly not brilliant. He has had soundness problems but is doing well at present. We were very happy with the way he finished over 1800m in the Jubilee and I think that he will stay the extra distance. A fully mature horse with only 51 kg must pose a threat to the three-year-olds and the higher weighted older horses. And he is not too badly drawn."


ORATORY - Rated 123+. A winner of 9 races to date, 8 of them from 1400 to 2200m. He stays well, but has a pedigree with strong speed factors like a triple x-linked inbreeding to brilliant Gold Bridge, and a dam inbred to War Admiral (x-linked). Beaten 0,75 lengths by Fantastic Horse in Gold Bowl at levels. Had 3 half-kilos weight advantage when beating that horse 0,5 lengths in Lonsdale over 2400m on 8 June after racing 3 wide throughout. This talented, courageous, consistent 5-y-o is bang in form and loves Greyville. Well drawn and a big drop in weight to 51 kg. Should prove a tough nut to crack.


STEIGER - Rated 123?. Repeatedly proved himself to be one of the best of his generation at three: 3/4 length 3rd in Cape Derby; 1,75 length 2nd to Key Of Destiny in SA Classic; 1,25 length 2nd to Timber Trader in SA Derby; 2,65 length behind Fiery Fred in slow-run Daily News 2000. Overcame worst draw to fight out finish of Darley Arabian on July day when head 2nd to Wolf Whistle (received 4 half-kilos); 2,55 lengths behind Key Of Destiny in Natal Derby. As a 4-y-o he won twice and was then hobdayed.

JOEY RAMSDEN: "Steiger's breathing seems to have improved considerably since his hobday. In fact I think he is even cleaner winded now than when he ran all those good races at three. Since his 6 month layoff he has had 3 prep runs (in May and June) finishing within 5 lengths of the winner on each occasion. He is back to his best distance here and has only 50 kg on his back. He has no recent form to commend his chances but I do expect him to run a much better race."


DOUBLE REEF (NZ) - Rated 123?. This NZ bred 6-y-o has a remarkable pedigree - his sire's grandam, Mill Princess, and his own dam, Giladah, are both daughters of the great Mill Reef - ie Mill Reef inbreeding 3d - 2d! High points of his career include a 4,75 length victory in the Natal Derby; a top-class win from No 16 draw under 56,5 kg in the 2001 Greyville 1900; 1,75 lengths 3rd to Trademark (received 2 half-kilos) in the 2001 July Hcp.; a highly meritorious 2,4 length 4th to Cereus (received 12 half-kilos) under 58 kg in the 2001 Gold Cup. Between October 2001 and May 2003 he completely lost his form and then he surprised with a win in a 1400m handicap at Scottsville. He was then slow away when 4,85 lengths behind Monet in the Greyville 1900 and raced wide when 3,3 lengths behind Yard-Arm in the Cup Trial. Because of his indifferent form during the past 2 seasons, he won't have too many supporters. But with 50 kg from draw 1 over a far more suitable distance, don't be surprised to see him storming through at the finish.


MONET - Rated 122?. Winner of 7 of 13 starts including his last 5. The face value of his Greyville 1900 win under 51,5 kg doesn't represent top-class form but we should heed the view of his trainer.

GEOFF WOODRUFF: "I believe that punters should make allowance for the fact that a slow-run 1900m was not in Monet's favour. He meets the likes of Yard-Arm on 10lb better terms than weight-for-age which must make him a lively contender. He will be a much better horse in a fast run 2200m. He is well drawn and has the strongest lightweight rider in the country on his back and is only now starting to peak at the end of his 4-y-o season."


SPECIAL PARADE - Rated 117. Winner of 7 of 18 starts. 2nd Beaten only 2,75 lengths by Ipi Tombe in SA Classic 1800m Turffontein on April 6. 2nd Beaten 1,25 lengths by Crimson Palace in Paddock Stakes on 28 December 2002. Brilliant 3,5 length defeat of Kournikova in Gerald Rosenburg St 2000m Turffontein on April 26. 3rd To Yard-Arm in Cup Trial on 14 June beaten 3,25 lengths on 9lb better terms than weight-for-age. This represents a 15lb Wfa beating. In this race she meets Yard-Arm on 10lb better terms than Wfa. She looks well held by that crack colt, but who knows, she may improve over this extra 200m. This is a very good filly. Chance for money.


COUSIN JOHN -  Rated 113+. Has won 7 of 19. Received a 19lb Wfa beating from Yard-Arm in Cup Trial. Meets Yard-Arm on 10lb better terms than Wfa here. Game, consistent but looks well held by Yard-Arm.


DELAWARE PARK - Rated 115. Has won 5 of 19 starts. Ran Cousin John (received 1lb) to 1/2 length in The Sledgehammer St 1800m at penultimate start. Last time out ran Monet (received 2lb) to 1/2 length in Greyville 1900m. Showed merit 9lb behind Wolf Whistle in that race and now receives 8lb from that 4-y-o. Good, consistent recent form.


NAME THE KEY - Rated 114. Has won 7 of 25 starts. Beaten 1,4 lengths by Monet (received 1 half-kilo) in Greyville 1900m when badly drawn at 14. Beaten 2,14 lengths by Cousin John in The Sledgehammer St 1800m at penultimate start. Looks well held at weights by Red Badge who gave him a 10lb beating in the Algoa Cup 2000m on 10 November 2002. Receives only 4lb from Red Badge here.

SUMMARY

In order of our best in on ratings which is FMR minus weight carried in lb.

DOUBLE REEF (+13) - Stays 3200m so should now need this 2200m to get going. Best draw. Bottom weight. Won sprint at 3rd last start. Excuses at last 2 starts. Well handicapped but weak form line over last 2 seasons inspires little confidence. Mike de Kock a master at getting them right for the big one so don't write off.

STEIGER (+13) - Has yet to regain best form since 6 month layoff after hobday. Trainer feels he will run a better race as this is definitely his optimum trip. Loves Greyville. Only race will tell.

DYNASTY (+12) - 3-y-o Sensation! Just how good we have yet to find out. 2 Magnificent preps at Greyville. Big weight for 3-y-o from 20 draw but destined for greatness.

MONET (+12) - Has peaked as a late 4-y-o. Excellent draw. Bottom weight. Geoff Woodruff very bullish about his prospects; discounts Greyville 1900 form because of slow pace.

SURVEYOR (+12) - Turffontein's Champion 3-y-o. Big strider who needs a strong pace and proper test of stamina. Preps behind Dynasty only OK, not his best. Well handicapped. Bad draw. Big runner in fast run race.

YARD-ARM (+12) - Majestic victories in SA Derby and Cup Trial. No Greyville form creates uncertainty, but this colt could be even better than rated and services of Pierre Strydom a positive. Tough nut to crack. Exceptional workout when conceding 15 pounds to Monet in official July gallop.

ORATORY (+11) - Fully mature horse with only 51 kg and good draw. Greyville specialist smashing trial when winning Lonsdale despite 3 wide. Strong jockey. Expect big run.

FANTASTIC HORSE (+10) - Same as for Oratory. Older horse with low weight. Bang in form. Big trial in Lonsdale.

HAIL CAESOUR (+10) - Peaked in his prep with fine win in Jubilee over 1800m Turffontein. Staying on. Older horse with low weight can't be discounted.

HIDE OUT (+10) - Should have edge over Hail Caesour at turn of weights on excellent 2nd in Jubilee but bad draw at 14. Paul Matchett has honed him carefully to be at peak for this race.

RED BADGE (+10) - Low weight. Good draw. Working well. Hampered when close up in Greyville 1900. Big runner.

AFRICAN LION (+7) - Tremendous trial in Gold Challenge. Big run in Met when very wide. Excellent draw. Well weighted.

SPECIAL PARADE (+7) - Top-class filly who will prefer this extra. Excellent Cup Trial. Good draw. Low weight.

BIANCONI (+6) - No 3 draw and 51 kg earns respect for this top-class 3-y-o. Won't run wide and should avoid trouble. Therefore a chance for money.

FREE MY HEART (+6) - A real class act but can he concede all this weight?

WOLF WHISTLE (+6) - Difficult task at weights but super-reliable and bang in form. Likes Greyville.

SET AFIRE (+5) - 3 Grade 1 wins in a row! Big-hearted; highly talented; well drawn. Can be counted on to run a big race.

DELAWARE PARK (+5) - Looks just out of this class despite low weight.

NAME THE KEY (+5) - Same league as Delaware Park.

COUSIN JOHN (+3) - Same league as Delaware Park and Name The Key.