The strapping Malmesbury Missile (Gimmthegreenlight), who fetched R900,000 at the Cape Racing Cape Premier Yearling Sale, is fittingly named after Springbok powerhourse Pieter-Steph du Toit. He is the first winner for Gabor, Equus Champion Two-year-old fillly in 2018/2019. He was brought home by Turf Talk-sponsored jockey Chad Little. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Malmesbury Missile, named by Drakenstein Stud in honour of Springbok and two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit, was the popular choice in the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, and the 2yo son of Gimmethegreenlight duly obliged with a comfortable victory. Ridden by Chad Little and trained by Glen Kotzen, Malmesbury Missile (11/10) was always in the firing line, and he stayed on well to hold out One Stripe’s half-brother Vapour Trail by a length.
The second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m, looked a match race between Diamond Bomber and Catch A Penny and so it turned out to be. Night In Japan made the early running but soon came under pressure in the straight and Catch A Penny moved through with Diamond Bomber poised to strike. Catch A Penny (2/1) tried gamely to maintain her advantage, but Diamond Bomber (8/10) responded well under Aldo Domeyer and gained the upper hand to score by half-a-length.
Tenpenny, bred by Brett Van Laun’s KZN-based Camargue Stud, was all the rage to win the third race, a Maiden plate over 1600m, and the progressive son of What A Winter had the race safely won 400m out. At that stage Tenpenny (9/10), trained by Patrick Kruyer for Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, was travelling well within himself, and the favourite drew clear to put daylight between himself and runner-up War Hawk.
JP van der Merwe completed a race-to-race double when Ahead Of The Facts stormed home from the rear of the field to take out the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 2000m. The pace was frenetic throughout with Jet A One setting a brisk gallop ahead of a well-stretched out field. The odds-on favourite Future Frequency was in trouble a long way from home, and it was left to Ahead Of The Facts (6/1) to score at the expense of Umfula and Wood World.
Double Dash attracted solid on-course support from 11/2 into 15/10 and the money proved spot on as the temperamental daughter of Master Of My Fate landed top honours in the fifth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1800m, under a good ride by Grant Van Niekerk. Double Dash turned for home in front and maintained a resolute gallop to hold off the cavalry charge headed by Greenlight Skye and Tuscan Romance.
Red Dawn made light of 62,kgs on his handicap debut scoring an emphatic win in the sixth race, a Class 5 over 1800m, to give Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson their second winner of the afternoon. The 3yo son of Horizon has improved significantly since being fitted with blinkers and he could complete a hattrick in Class 4 next time.
Give Me Everything is clearly a filly heading in the right direction. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer for Owner-Breeders Varsfontein Stud, the 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight had won a modest maiden last time but she stepped into Class 4 company in the seventh race over 1600m yesterday and blew the opposition away. Craig Zackey was content to sit midfield one off the fence and when he called for an effort approaching the final 200m, Give Me Everything (14/1) lived up to her name and forged ahead to win comfortably with Pentolina (14/1) and My Only Weakness (28/10) completing the Trifecta.
Easy Money, a three times winner over 1000m, dispelled any doubts about her ability over 1200m with a fluent victory in the eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M), when leading from start to finish and holding off the favourite Royal Lytham by the best part of a length. Why Not Jackie made some late progress from well off the pace to claim the third spot.
Patrick Kruyer signed off in the ninth race at Kenilworth yesterday with his second winner of the afternoon, and JP van der Merwe’s third, when First Masterpiece (10/1) put a disappointing last effort behind her with an exciting victory over Tanneron. Palo Queen ensured the race was run at a blistering pace but the swoopers closed quickly over the final 200m and First Masterpiece, coming from near last, just edged out Tanneron (9/2), with the well-backed Lucy Rocket and Love Shack making up the frame.
