Met Day Runner Comments for Crawford Racing
RACE 2 – MAINE CHANCE FARMS MAJORCA STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1) – 1600M
For Fillies and Mares at weight for age
FATAL FLAW
Age: 3 (at last run)
Sex: f
M/Rating: 115 (at last run)
Owner: ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)
Breeder: Mr L M F Wernars
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: New Predator (AUS) – Alinga (AUS) by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE)
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Fatal Flaw has run nine times, only running unplaced on debut. Since then, she has run second five times and won three races, her last win being in the Cape Fillies Guineas. Drawn thirteen in a thirteen-horse field and big race jockey Piere Strydom would have to use all his experience and guile to guide through this race. As they jumped, her natural gate speed allowed her to negate the wide barrier, with Piere expertly bringing her across before the field started taking the bend.
07 Dec 2024 – Fatal Flaw wins the Fillies Guineas
As they spun into the stretch Piere gave her a breather before asking for more and she extended down the lane to be three lengths ahead of the field as they entered the last 400M. She continued galloping strongly down the lane, finding more in the in the last 200M to win by just over two lengths. A brilliant and rewarding victory for a top filly.
On Saturday, she has her second run in Cape Town, is drawn widest but only in a seven-horse field, and Championship chaser Craig Zackey throws a leg over her. Hollywoodbets has priced her up as second favourite to the Snaith trained superstar Double Grand Slam in a race which if the betting is to be believed should be a match race. However, she is a superstar in her own right and Saturday should see a titanic struggle in between two of the best fillies in South Africa, ridden by two of the best jockeys in South Africa in one of the most anticipated Grade 1 Fillies races of the season. Hollywoodbets Kenilworth awaits.
Brett’s Comments – Doing very well at home, very happy with her prep – expecting very competitive run.
RACE 3 – TSOGO SUN SUMMER FLING STAKES (Grade 3) – 2000M
3yo & Older F & M at Weight For Age + Penalties
FATAL GEM
Age: 4 (at last run)
Sex: f
M/Rating: 91 (at last run)
Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Breeder: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Master Of My Fate – Sapphire Gem by Trippi (USA)
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Fatal Gem takes a step up in class on Saturday into the Grade 3 Tsogo Sun Final Fling Stakes over 2000M. She will run under sufferance, as her merit rating is below many of her rivals, including the winner of her last two runs, versus whom she is carrying level weights on Saturday because of the conditions of the race.
All her wins have been at Durbanville, and she will have to run above her merit rating to be competitive in a strong field on Saturday. However, she goes the 2000M for the first time in her career, and with her style of running coming from off the pace, she could find the extra distance and the long Summer Course straight at Kenilworth a combination that could count in her favour.
She has been priced up at 8/1 at Hollywoodbets and 16/10 to run into the top three, so despite the unfavourable weight conditions, the unknown with regard to her going the distance for the first time could be a positive for her on Saturday.
28 Dec 2024 – Fatal Gem runs second to Gimmethatpearl at Kenilworth
RACE 4 – NEW TURF CARRIERS WESTERN CAPE STAYERS (Grade 3) – 2800M
Open to horses aged 3 years or older
OTTO LUYKEN
Age: 5 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 100 (at last run)
Owner: Mr Greg Bortz & Ms Gina Goldsmith
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Flower Alley (USA) – Laurel Cherry by Ideal World (USA)
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Otto Luyken is a stable debutant for Crawford Racing on Saturday. With a merit rating of 100, his first mission is straight into a Grade 3 race on WSB Cape Town Met day and it will also be the first time that he will go 2800M. The horses at the top of the merit ratings have an advantage because of the conditions of the race so he does race under sufferance versus the top four MR horses.
However, that does not mean that horses flying under the radar can’t run a forward race and run better than there merit ratings. Going the distance for the first time, coupled to a good draw and the benefit of the long run in at Kenilworth could see Greg Bortz & Gina Goldsmith’s gelding run well on Saturday. Hollywoodbets has priced up Otto Luyken at 10/1 in the ante post betting and could provide each way opportunity for value players.
14 Dec 2024 – Otto Luyken is a fast finishing second to The Futurist in the G3 Peninsula Handicap
RACE 5 – WINX CLASS 3 – 1400M
Open. Benchmark at 60.0kg = 96
CAPTAIN WEST
Age: 3 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 103 (at last run)
Owner: Mr P M Murugasa
Breeder: Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: One World – Weston by Philanthropist (USA)
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Captain’s West is a lightly raced son of One World, having had only six runs, but the formlines have been very strong. When breaking his Maiden, Captain’s West beat On My Honour by almost five lengths, with the Glen Kotzen trained son of Gimmethegreenlight subsequently won three races in Gqeberha.
In his next run he ran third to Radiccio, who has since reeled off a hat trick of wins in Gauteng. His next two runs were in a Grade 3 and Grade 2 races, the Grade 2 being the Punter’s Cup where he ran fourth to King’s Plate winner One Stripe.
On Saturday Captain’s West drops into a Class 3 Handicap and despite carrying 59kg, has the services of Louis Mxothwa in the saddle. He is drawn reasonably well at seven and will have the length of the Kenilworth straight to negotiate a passage to the line. He is currently priced up as the favourite at 4/1 in a very competitive race and with the drop-in class 4/1 could be very good value in this Class 3 Handicap.
17 Aug 2024 – Captain West beats subsequent hat trick winning On My Honour at Durbanville
RACE 5 – WINX CLASS 3 – 1400M
Open. Benchmark at 60.0kg = 96
BIG UNIT
Age: 4 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 86 (at last run)
Owner: Mr P M Murugasa
Breeder: Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Master Of My Fate – Stormz Emprez by Second Empire (IRE)
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Some horses need time to develop, others, despite displaying natural speed, require racing over the middle distances, and other colts are naughty and require the unkindest cut of all. Big Unit’s first six races yielded one win, over 1250M at Durbanville.
Since then, he has won another three races and has shown courage and determination in all his runs and his wins have never been easy wins, but he seems to find a way to win. That is the hallmark of a good horse, and although he takes a step up in class here, there is no reason for him to run a forward race if the gaps open at the right time down the stretch.
16 Nov 2024 – Big Unit wins impressively at Kenilworth over 1400M
RACE 7 – HKJC WORLD POOL CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (WFA) (Grade 1) – 1000M
Open to horses at Weight For Age
SURJAY
Age: 6 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 124 (at last run)
Owner: Mrs S Viljoen
Breeder: Estate Late Dr R J Antrobus
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Vercingetorix – Something Of Value by Badger Land (USA)
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Surjay is a warrior. The six-year-old gelding, who was having his 26th run in the Grade One Mercury Sprint on Gold Cup Day at Greyville, was primed and ready to give his all to give Louis Mxothwa his first Grade 1 victory for the season. It was a brilliant ride by Louis, tracking the pace one horse wide around the turn and then making his run down the centre of the racetrack which allowed Surjay to surge, peg back the frontrunners and get first run on the favourite.
Although 1200M is his absolute forte, he drops back a furlong on Saturday over the Kenilworth 1000M in this Grade 1 contest. Gavin Smiths Cruise Control will ensure a fast gallop, and he has the early toe to just sit off the pace even over the minimum trip.
He has dropped three kilos in weight as well to a more manageable 60kg and could give the pure sprinters a scare if he shows his customary kick in the closing stages with the cheekpieces for the first time. He is priced up at 12/1 at Hollywoodbets which is very good odds for a Grade 1 winner.
Brett’s Comment – Working extremely well – trip is only concern but he will be right there on the pace.
22 Dec 2024 – Surjay runs third to Outlaw King carrying 63 kg in the G2 Cape Merchants
RACE 8 – WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE TOWN MET (Grade 1) – 2000M
Open to horses at Weight For Age
ORIENTAL CHARM
Age: 4 (at last run)
Sex: c
M/Rating: 125 (at last run)
Owner: Messrs Greg Bortz & Leon Ellman & Ms Gina Goldsmith
Breeder: Cheveley Stud
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Vercingetorix – Souk by Greys Inn (USA)
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After breaking his Maiden on debut, Oriental Charm had been penciled in form studiers little black books. His next three runs were all over the sprint trips, but then in his next six runs he won three races, including the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900M, the Grade 3 Dolphin Cup, and the pinnacle of the Natal season, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The son of Vercingetorix was then given a well-deserved five-month rest. He made his reappearance in the Grade 2 Green Point Sakes, against a small but very competitive field. Another brilliant win to follow up on his July win, which was followed by his second run after the rest in the King’s Plate over 1600M at Kenilworth.
Brett’s Comment – Doing very well – got him back to his best – expecting a very competitive run.
07 Dec 2024 – Oriental Charm wins the Gr2 Green Point Stakes after a five-month layoff
This resulted in a below par performance, being well beaten by One Stripe. However, on Saturday he reverts to his more favoured distance, it will be his third run after the rest, and his good gate speed will be enhanced by his barrier position of three. This should allow him to get to the lead without expending too much energy. He ticks many of the boxes in Cape Town’s premier race to run a very good race for Messrs Greg Bortz & Leon Ellman & Ms Gina Goldsmith.
RACE 8 – WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE TOWN MET (Grade 1) – 2000M
Open to horses at Weight For Age
ZAPATILLAS
Age: 6 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 119 (at last run)
Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert), Kalinga & Mrs P A Isdell
Breeder: Varsfontein Stud
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Master Of My Fate – Moggytwoshoes by Mogok (USA)
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Zapatillas is a striking horse. When he walks into the parade your eye is automatically drawn to him as he stalks around the parade ring. He has slowly been coming back to form and Saturday has his third run after the rest. He goes the distance for only the second time in his career, and with the growing maturity as his racing career has progressed, he should have very little problem doing so on Saturday.
In both of his comeback runs he has been running well and being drawn in the Kenilworth Racecourse car park on Saturday, he will probably drop in close to the back of the field. However big race jockey Louis Mxothwa will try and navigate the best route down the stretch to give him the best chance of running at the leaders. Cheekpieces have been fitted to the son of Master Of My Fate to assist him to concentrate all the way through the race. He is very well going into the race, and a top four finish is not out of the question at very good odds of 33/1.
Brett’s Comment – Doing very well at home – looks amazing – Draw is only concern. Best place bet on the day.
16 Nov 2024 – Zapatillas runs second to Rapscallion in the G3 Cape Mile
RACE 11 – WORLD SPORTS BETTING A STAKES – 1400M
For All Horses
THE FUTURIST
Age: 6 (at last run)
Sex: g
M/Rating: 107 (at last run)
Owner: Pete & Janet Carolin, Mrs G MacGregor, Mr A G & Mrs D Turk
Breeder: Mr P F Carolin
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Futura – Black Mischief by Black Minnaloushe (USA)
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The Futurist is the racehorse definition of an Enigma. He is mysterious and difficult to understand and is a horse who runs one way, fast. He will jump and run, and if he is in the mood, will win. The Futurist has a mind of his own and can beat good horses when he is in the mood and has won two Grade three races in seven months by a combined margin of ten lengths.
He might be coming to the end of his racing career, but the way he runs, there is no reason to think that if entered in the right race, ridden by the right jockey, he could very well win another race or two. On Saturday he drops into 1400M handicap, and if he is in the mood to lead, will have to contest that lead with the very talented Justin Snaith trained Snow Pilot.
They could both be trying to get to the lead after the jump, which should make for a spectacle and a race within a race. Which horse leads into the bend which depend on the jockeys of the respective horses, but Kabelo Matsunyane is riding The Futurist for the fifth time, so should know all the quirks of the Enigma as the field to give him the best chance of running a good race despite being close to the bottom of bookmakers’ boards.
14 Dec 2024 – The Futurist gallops resolutely to record his second Grade 3 victory
RACE 12 – WORLD SPORTS BETTING CLASS 4 – 1200M
Open. Benchmark at 60.0kg = 80
CAVALRY COMMANDER
Age: 3 (at last run)
Sex: c
M/Rating: 84 (at last run)
Owner: Mr Greg Bortz & Ms Gina Goldsmith
Breeder: Al Adiyaat (Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum)
Trainer: B/J Crawford
Breeding: Vercingetorix – Temenee by Var (USA)
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Cavalry Commander has only run twice. In his first run, everything that could have gone wrong went wrong on his racecourse debut finishing halfway down the field, running sixth in an eleven-horse field. His next run, despite being ignored in the betting, he beat the Lucinda Woodruff trained Victor Hugo in a titantic struggle to the line. He showed grit and determination in a driving finish.
On Saturday he comes up against some seasoned handicappers and is once again down at the bottom of Hollywoodbets bookmakers’ boards and will be jumping around the 25/1 price when the gates crash open for the 12th race. However, he is drawn 11, JP Van Der Merwe is riding the crest of the wave currently and being his third run, he could still be on the upgrade.
The son of Vercingetorix could therefore run better than his current merit rating and give Mr Greg Bortz & Ms Gina Goldsmith a good ending to a wonderful day of racing at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday.
26 Nov 2024 – Cavalry Commander breaks his Maiden at the second start over 1200M
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