Black Swan Stud Busy few days ahead

I think you mean once he got interfered with he gave up all together and didn't continue to ride.
Maybe if he started riding again once the front two where out his way he might have managed to hang on for 3rd although he only had about 20m before the finish line.

Good third by Montfort. Maybe the poly is her forte.
Treasure Hunt a bit disappointing- in hindsight could have got a soft 3rd in the fillies race if we had but known it would end up with just 4 runners.
Elusive Tango very unlucky- had to work a bit to get to the front- if he’d had a good draw would probably have won. Reckless riding by Cheyne on the winner in the closing stages, hung in and not helped by Herholdt shifting out slightly which squeezed ET badly and Grant was forced to ease to avoid a nasty pile-up. Amazingly, no race review called by our stipes- I look forward to their report. Grant did the right thing as safety must take priority, but perhaps once he was in a safe position should have pushed again the last stride or two, and would have maybe got 3rd or at least 4th. In any event, the interference clearly cost us a clear third place. Under the old rules the winner could have been disqualified, but as the two culprits were both passing us, we clearly no longer had a winning chance, so no point in objecting from our side under the current rules.

Only 3 days left this season, and 3 runners:
Pharr Out in race 4 at Fairview
* Vic Falls in race 8 at Fairview.
Both open handicaps so anything can happen.
* Just For Laughs runs in the Thekweni Stakes Gr 1 on Saturday. While the two Gauteng fillies look hard to beat, I’m amazed that we are 16/1 after a very decent run in the Golden Slipper. We had a wide draw, raced without any cover wide on the bend yet still managed a close up 4th. With the extra experience, Grant in the saddle, a favourable draw, I think that we are a serious runner. The 1600m should suit, and her work has been good.
Hopefully she can run into the first three and finish the season for us on a high note.

Not quite the finish to the season that we were hoping for:
Vic Falls very unlucky- gave them a few lengths start and just went down half a length. She will pay to follow.
Just For Laughs pulled and fought off a slow early pace and then taken to the outside for her run and did not go through with it. She is much better than this performance, but perhaps now just take her through the divisions after a break.

All in all a good season for the stud- we ended up 28th on the log with just shy of R2m earned from our 42 runners. A very pleasing 57% winners to runners for the season, which was 4th best of the top 60 studs.
We had seven 2yo runners of which 3 have won and another 2 placed, not counting Sounds of Warning which is registered under Drakenstein.
Our 3 year olds have done well- 19 foals of which 18 have run, 10 winners and a further 7 have placed. Not counting a further two winners bred in partnership.
Our 4yo crop (2016 foals) -17 foals of which 11 have won and a further 2 placed
Our 2015 crop- 20 foals, 19 runners, 14 winners and a further 4 placed.

Elusive Fort had a great season- 7th on the general sires list and 2nd on the sires of 3 yo list. His top performers were Kommetdieding and Catch Twentytwo. 9 Juvenile winners from 23 runners, so we can expect another good season for him as he will have a number of decent 3 year olds to back up the strong cohort of newly turned 4 yos.

Well done !!

A creditable performance Peter D.
May you go from strength to strength.
Once again thank you for your posts on the various meetings. They have been extremely enlightening and helpful.

Well done PeterD
You deserve all the good fortune in this sport you those, be it for leisure or pleasure
After almost 50 years of casual punting i can't see you or anyone else doing it for profit
All the best for the new season and thanks for the input you give on your runners.
,we all appreciate it

PeterD is a legend. You set the standard for your peers. Keep it up, may and good fortune continue to shine on you!

The new season has kicked off, and good to see that Elusive Fort has been quick off the mark with 3 winners from 17 runners in the first 4 days.
The early mares are getting ready to foal, and the newly turned yearlings still have their winter coats, but it won’t be long before they start their pre sales prep.
The matings for this season have been planned and the next few months are busy, but visitors are always welcome to see the yearlings, the foals or our Stallion.

A lot of horses are having winter breaks and getting their vaccinations.
Our first runner of the season is on Thursday at the Vaal, Super Tanaye in race 1. Showed some encouraging improvement last time, and with the early favourite, What a Honey scratched, looks to be in with an ew chance. The unraced Faeezahs Princess is now a warm favourite in what looks a weakish field.
On Friday at Fairview, * Mistress of Means runs in race 9. She is holding form well, but has to jump from a very wide draw, and Zackey rides as Fourie, who has built up a good understanding with her, is not available. A competitive handicap, but if she has some luck from the draw, is always in with a shout.
On Sunday at Scottsville , * Drama Queen takes her chances in the Off to Stud listed race, where she draws wide and is a bit out at the weights against the top few. We are hoping that she can sneak into the places.

A very gutsy performance by Mistress of Means, and very well ridden by Craig Zackey gave us our first winner of the season.
Drama Queen not disgraced just 3 lengths off them, and she should pick up another win soon in handicap company.
Four runners this week.
Some stormy weather predicted for Cape Town tonight and tomorrow, but hopefully will not interfere with Tuesday's racing.
We have *Gentleman in race 1. He has taken a while to learn what racing is all about, and his work at home is better than what he has shown in his two starts. Would have preferred to run in the 1200m, but he would have been reserve runner there, so rather another run over 1000m. Lots of unraced runners so difficult to know what we are up against. If the penny drops, he could run a place.
*Helen's Legend is a full sister to Helen's Blush and half sister to Helen's Ideal. She makes her debut in race 2. Has had a grass gallop, and is a big, strong filly, but will need further.
*Cape Point improved last time and runs in the 8th race. Must have an ew chance in a relatively weak maiden handicap.
On Friday, *Jean Paul runs in race 3 at Fairview. If he doesn't win, he will be gelded.

A very good winner for Elusive Fort in the Fillies' sales race on Saturday. Big Burn, bred by Narrow Creek Stud, looks a smart filly.

Gentleman showed some improvement, and if he had not been baulked late would have got a few lengths closer.
Helen’s Legend showed surprisingly good early pace, and then ran out of puff the last bit. Pleasing debut. Will probably have one more learning experience down the straight and then go her proper trip.
Cape Point was disappointing after being well positioned throughout.
Jean Paul still not bringing his homework to the course- will now be gelded.

Today Versailles runs in the 8th at Kenilworth. Has the best exposed form of the 3yos, but needs to improve against the older Our World, and there are a few bred for this trip coming off sprints that can show big improvement. Must have a good ew chance despite wide draw.
JP Two Thousand makes his debut in race 1 at Turffontein on Sunday. Full brother to Encryption.
* Gentleman runs again on Wednesday at Kenilworth in a WR maiden race 1-must have a place chance with a good WR up.
* Grey Princess also runs on Wednesday in race 8- very good win last time and must have a good ew chance again although a bit up in class, has a light weight.
Understated runs on Thursday in race 5 at the Vaal. Has been costly to follow, but again an ew shout over this trip.