I Can See Clearly Now 👀

Another week wrapped up, and I spent a day at the eye clinic with Mrs. S.

Despite the reported unemployment numbers, it's still surprising to see every car in Pretoria heading towards Joburg between 7 and 9 AM. We made our way to Centurion, where I have to commend the staff for their superb service. It was a bit of an Afrikaans affair, with local hits scrolling on the TV—so much so that a couple got up for a Langarm dance to break the tension of the procedure. 🕺💃

On all accounts, the cataract operation seems well worth the trouble, and now Mrs. S is helping me read the Computaform to find the winners. I’m considering the same for myself next year when more medical funds are available.

Mrs. S has been advised to take it easy this week, so Scotia has taken over—preparing food, cleaning, washing, and handling the school run. I even made a video of my culinary skills to share with the family. Let’s just say Jamie Oliver might be feeling the heat.

In the world of headlines, things must be slow when Oasis makes the news before Russia, the Middle East, or Sudan.
I see Zuma's criminal court case has been postponed yet again, and some of the state-capture gang are being sworn into Parliament via the MK. 😳
Tshwane on the BRINK of disaster
Cilliers is a hard working, proactive, trustworthy Major and obviously this type of CV does not sit well with the opposition candidates 😡

On the racing front:

We have a South African delegation heading to the Asian conference in Japan, where we can hope for some "exchange" of ideas to help advance SA racing. Cape Racing has introduced morning gallops—a fantastic idea that hopefully leads to racing in the afternoons. 🤣 sorry could not resist 😅 

Today, we've got racing from PE, and we're hoping for another solid run from the ever-consistent El Romiachi. The first two favourites look strong enough to cover the exotics.

Saturday brings a double-header:

Durbanville, where Roccapina looks like a banker for Candice Bass-Robinson.
Turffontein, where the first two favourites seem like the best bets.

In overseas news:

South African mare Beach Bomb is set to run at Monmouth on Sunday over 1700m. On a bigger stage, City of Troy seems poised for the Breeders' Cup. If you’d told me I could get 7/2 the next time he runs, I’d be over the moon. 🌙 But he’s running on dirt against the Yanks. Still, I fancy him to take the lead and show the world just how good he is. 👍

In sports:

The upcoming clash between SA (4/10) and the All Blacks (5/2) should be a cracker, with the pub already fully booked. The Boks have been fantastic, but the All Blacks are always a concern—maybe the 7.5-point start in the handicap is the safest bet.

Last week’s post actually sparked some responses,👍👏 especially on the topic of my apology and attempts at being politically correct.

As for my song choice this week, who better than Ray Charles with "I Can See Clearly Now"—fitting for Mrs. S’s recovery and for Cape Racing, here’s hoping they catch a break with "Now That the Rain Has Gone."🙏

Good punting! 👍




Sent from my Galaxy
 

One of the world’s best racehorses will warm up for his historic bid for global stardom with a shock appearance at Southwell racecourse.City of Troy, who has completed the remarkable treble of winning the Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International this summer, will be welcomed by thousands of fans when he takes part in a public gallop at the Nottinghamshire track on September 20.

 City Of Troy confirmed for Breeders’ Cup workout City Of Troy will head to Southwell for a racecourse gallop on September 20 as part of his build-up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.Winner of the Derby and Eclipse, City Of Troy stamped his authority at York last week when making all for victory in the Juddmonte International, smashing Sea The Stars’ course-record time in the process.Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners have made no secret of their Classic ambitions, with City Of Troy appearing a perfect candidate for the headline event at Del Mar as he is a son of American Triple Crown winner Justify.The Ballydoyle handler is now planning to simulate full raceday conditions at Southwell next month, with American starting stalls employed and a team of stablemates set to accompany City Of Troy in a public  Chris Armstrong, who was representing O’Brien at Navan on Thursday afternoon, said: “It’s been confirmed this morning that City Of Troy will go to Southwell on September 20 for a racecourse gallop.“We’re delighted that Southwell have been able to accommodate the request and Aidan and all the team are delighted that it will fit in nicely to his programme.“It will be four weeks after York and will give him five weeks before he leaves for the Breeders’ Cup.“He will work with a group of horses over a distance of about a mile from American stalls with the bell ringing and it should leave him right for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”Southwell has been used by O’Brien in the past to prepare his Breeders’ Cup runners, with Giant’s Causeway working there in 2000 before being beaten just a neck in the Classic, while Derby winner and subsequent supersire Galileo did the same a year later, although his American bid was not  Armstrong added: “The finer details such as timings have yet to be confirmed, but we have spoken with Southwell and Aidan and all the team are more than happy to open the doors to everyone and all racing fans and the media can watch the piece of work.“It will be an experience for everybody and a bit like a normal raceday.“It will be a new track to him and a new surface which will be good for him.“He will fly over in the morning, have a rest in the stables like he normally does before a race, work in the afternoon and then fly home in the evening.“Everything fits into his schedule beautifully and it’s something we are looking forward to.”City Of Troy has yet to run on anything but turf, with Southwell now the home of a Tapeta track. The course’s executive director Mark Clayton is looking forward to welcoming O’Brien’s superstar to Nottinghamshire.He said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Aidan O’Brien, as one of the leading trainers in the world, bring City Of Troy, one of the leading horses in the world this year, to Southwell.“It’s a testament to the track and the work we do as a team, but also to Tapeta and the surface they delivered us back in 2022, that we are trusted by Aidan to bring a horse of City Of Troy’s calibre to Southwell prior to the Breeders’ Cup.“I personally didn’t see any of Aidan’s visits in the past, but I have heard all about what historic days they were and this will be exactly the same.“We are chuffed to have the opportunity to put this on for Aidan and hopefully he is just as chuffed to bring the horse here. It is still at the early stage for us planning the day, but we will plan with Aidan and release a statement about the day closer to time. 

The planning that goes into a horse like this is something else , O'Brien leaves no stone unturned. 

​

 

100% Dazza 
that's why he is the greatest and totally transparent. 

He is trying to simulate the big night in advance and sure there will be a decent crowd 👌 

He is another level. I recently saw a clip on YouTube where he greeted every member of staff by first name and confirmed everything was grand with their mounts . I will try and post it on here but am technically challenged when it comes to things like that 😕

Here is an example? 

I think it was actually a clip from that video.

Thanks for posting 👍.

 

You can bet SP at WSB at the moment, they will price up when odds become available:  worldsportsbetting.co.za/#!/mplevents/20...204614982_204615003_

 

EQUIBASE CARD:  www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH083124USA-EQB.html

Any news on  Gimme Another.?

Has MDK given her to another trainer ? 



​​​​​​

​​​​

The Boks were fantastic!