Captain Secret takes well to sand in Grade 3 August stakes

Captain Secret, ran a terrific race on his sand debut at the Vaal when finishing second to the Tarry trained Across The Ice. Jumping from a wide draw, M J Odendaal rode him patiently throughout, and we were impressed with how he moved well through the field to get up for second. Although well beaten by the winner on this occasion, trainer Mike Bass will have taken a lot of confidence from this performance that his Captain Al gelding is clearly competent racing under these conditions.

The Emerald Cup is now a realistic target for Captain Secret and on this run we suspect he should have no problem in securing his position in the starting line-up. We have good reason to believe he will be competitive, his half-brother Narc (by National Assembly) was a champion sprinter winning 10 times on sand and in fact won this in 2008 when beating the now based Klawervlei sire, Lion Tamer by a length on that occasion.

The Emerald Cup, South Africa’s richest race on sand, will take place on the 22^nd September.

Sussex Song wins at a wet Kenilworth

Sussex Song coped well in the rain drenched Kenilworth conditions to record his second career win when beating home Bronco Buster comfortably in the 5^th of the afternoon for owners Russell Morse Guy and Marsh Shirtliff. The stable fancied him on this occasion making him a value bet on the tipping service despite the competitiveness of the field and won well for his believers returning R8.00 a win on the tote. Guy Shirtliff, who has now moved to Singapore to pursue a business venture, will be particularly pleased with his win after selecting the Doowaley off the 2010 Equimark Vintage sale for him and his then work collegue Russell Morse. Good luck guys.

Rushing Wind retires

A favourite for most amongst the staff for many years was the versatile, consistent and amazing top division race horse Rushing Wind. The 7 year old Windrush gelding out of Nordic Vine ran 42 times during his career for 5 wins and 19 places amassing stakes of R902 000.

He was an absolute dream race horse to train for his owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste. He was versatile over most distances but perhaps his speciality was over 1200m where he indulged us all with his trademark style of always dropping out and displaying a magical turn of foot in the final furlongs. He always raced how he wanted to race, and Ironically  it was perhaps this late turn of foot that ultimately also cost him on many occasions as well and he could be considered somewhat unlucky not to have finished a group 1 winner. He came close on so many occasions , the most memorable when finishing second to the Champion sprinter JJ The Jet Plane in the 2010 Gr 1  Golden Horse Casino sprint.

During his 42 appearances he won the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes and was placed a staggering 14 times in either graded and listed races including:

·        1^st  Gr3 Matchem stakes

·        2^nd Gr1 Cape Flying Championship

·        2^nd Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint

·        5^th Gr1 L’Ormarins Queens Plate

·        5th Gr1 Mercury Sprint

·        4^th Gr2 WPOTA Diadem Stakes

·        4^th Gr 2 Selangor Cup

·        4^th Gr2 Betting World Merchants

·        3^rd Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes

·        4th Gr2 WPOTA Diadem Stakes

·        3^rd Gr 2 Betting World Merchant Stakes

·        5^th Gr3 Cup Trial

·        3^rd listed RA Stakes

·        3^rd Listed east Cape sprint

·        2^nd Listed Umgeni Handicap

Rushing Wind was always a favourite, but held a special place with Candice Robinson, and she has made sure he has retired to an amazing home where he will see out the rest of his days being spoilt in luxury. He is stabled at her livery yard, so we will be able to have close contact with him and his progress in the show ring. He has settled in really well and taken everything in his stride thus far. His striking looks, consistency and tremendous nature as a race horse are traits that will be missed by the whole Mike Bass stable.