7/10 Via Africa

Doubt that KZN breeding was STRONG in the past. The racing was the best in the country but horses from breeders like the Birch Bros and offspring of stallions like Persian Wonder, Drum Beat were the wonder horses when I can first recall the local racing.

Scott Bros. Oligarchy bred Politician and No Reprieve from Hartford Stud bred Sentinel. Apart from those two, have you seen any other GR1 winners from these sires?

Her performance in her last two starts has been well below her ability. She has not run on in both and that stride/finish of her's was missing. A vet was done on her after Sat poor run. She has a virus and needs a course of anti-biotics etc. Her bloods were perfect before both races but after Sat a virus was picked up. Sad, but thats racing. Alec Forbes unfortunately is no longer Duncan's stable jock. Pierre was asked for the season, but since then Duncan has given all his top rides to KB and is using his service's hence the change again. She had shown no symptoms during training leading up to both runs or she would have been scratched. So NO conspiracy theories guys. She wasnt herself thats all. She will be back !!
Duncans step son Alex is doing an amazing job in CPT with their string. He has one of the most knowledgeable mentors/horseman overseeing him in Eric Sands. Check the RESULTS before you talk rubbish.

neigh Wrote:

---

> Her performance in her last two starts has been
> well below her ability. She has not run on in both
> and that stride/finish of her's was missing. A vet
> was done on her after Sat poor run. She has a
> virus and needs a course of anti-biotics etc. Her
> bloods were perfect before both races but after
> Sat a virus was picked up. Sad, but thats racing.
> Alec Forbes unfortunately is no longer Duncan's
> stable jock. Pierre was asked for the season, but
> since then Duncan has given all his top rides to
> KB and is using his service's hence the change
> again. She had shown no symptoms during training
> leading up to both runs or she would have been
> scratched. So NO conspiracy theories guys. She
> wasnt herself thats all. She will be back !!
> Duncans step son Alex is doing an amazing job in
> CPT with their string. He has one of the most
> knowledgeable mentors/horseman overseeing him in
> Eric Sands. Check the RESULTS before you talk
> rubbish.


errr, glossed over that one Neigh ... comment?

Last comment. If KB rides work he rides the horse. Communication problem with yard and Pierre ?? I dont know.

ManP Wrote:

---

> During the interview he said, he came to Cape Town
> to ride Via Africa and he doesn't know why he was
> taken off the ride.

During which interview ManP? Was it this last Saturday?.

interview after he won on snaiths cap alright.

Duncan make my garden grow

winzip Wrote:

---

> interview after he won on snaiths cap alright.

In that case , I have no idea why Striker would say that ( maybe a language barrier).

Reason...

Via Afrika was one of the first to be nominated for that race and the booking of KB was confirmed at that early stage.
Furthermore, look at any publication of that particular racecard which usually comes out days ahead of the meeting, you will find that Shea was booked for that ride.

So, to say Striker came to CT especially for the VA ride and was jocked off, cannot be true in my opinion.

neigh Wrote:

---

> Her performance in her last two starts has been
> well below her ability. She has not run on in both
> and that stride/finish of her's was missing. A vet
> was done on her after Sat poor run. She has a
> virus and needs a course of anti-biotics etc. Her
> bloods were perfect before both races but after
> Sat a virus was picked up. Sad, but thats racing.
> Alec Forbes unfortunately is no longer Duncan's
> stable jock. Pierre was asked for the season, but
> since then Duncan has given all his top rides to
> KB and is using his service's hence the change
> again. She had shown no symptoms during training
> leading up to both runs or she would have been
> scratched. So NO conspiracy theories guys. She
> wasnt herself thats all. She will be back !!
> Duncans step son Alex is doing an amazing job in
> CPT with their string. He has one of the most
> knowledgeable mentors/horseman overseeing him in
> Eric Sands. Check the RESULTS before you talk
> rubbish.

Duncan Howells 8th on the trainers log for the season................the Sands stable 74th.................what's that you said about RESULTS???
The point is,that trying to maintain the same levels from a distance is traditionally difficult ..........not fault just fact!

The following is from the stipes report

e) In the closing stages FAIRYINTHEWOODS (G van Niekerk) was carried outwards by VIA AFRICA (K Shea), which was hanging out from the 300m. Thereafter in the concluding stages VIA AFRICA (K Shea) had to check to avoid the heels of FAIRYINTHEWOODS (G van Niekerk), which shifted in away from the crop.

Which ever way you look at it.......this is not the same horse that travels supremely well in the race and then kicks! in the last 2 races the horse was not travelling well and was basically scrubbed at the entire race. Something must be wrong, but she will be back......but right now, something needs to be sorted out on her and i have no doubt Duncan will sort it out

PeeKay Wrote:

---

> Which ever way you look at it.......this is not
> the same horse that travels supremely well in the
> race and then kicks! in the last 2 races the horse
> was not travelling well and was basically scrubbed
> at the entire race. Something must be wrong, but
> she will be back......but right now, something
> needs to be sorted out on her and i have no doubt
> Duncan will sort it out

Peekay I agree with you