Ahead Of The Facts gives Justin Snaith the second of five wins on the day and the first of three Graded Stakes wins (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The Justin Snaith-trained Ahead Of The Facts had no right to win the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over on the form of recent staying races but he relished the step up to 2800m and not only defied the weights, but romped home by three lengths under Richard Fourie.
Another reason he won is because he is by Futura and this sire’s progeny continually improve and probably come into there own halfway through their four-year-old season, like Ahead Of The Facts seems to be doing.
In November Ahead Of The Facts won the Listed Woolavingon Stakes over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth by 2,50 lengths when rated 86 and carrying 50kg under East Cape lightweight Yuzae Ramzan.
In his next start over the same course and distance in the WSB Club Prive Cape Summer Stayers Handicap he was touched by the shortest of short-heads by Holding Thumbs, although he was receiving 11kg.
Next time out he was receiving 10kg from Holding Thumbs in the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Chairman’s Cup over that same 2500m trip and he was beaten again, this time by 2,65 lengths and he was only in fourth place.
So what chance did he have receiving only 2,5kg from Holding Thumbs in Saturday’s Western Cape Stayers?
Fourie had him near the back in a one out position wit cover.
It was not going well for Holding Thumbs as he was caught one out and one back without cover, although the “iron horse” has overcome such minor details before.
Holding Thumbs was sent for home early in the straight but the 60kg he had to carry as lone topweight, not to mention he was coming off two hard fought victories over 2500m carrying 63,5kg and 62kg respectively and he had also had no cover throughout, was going to make it tough.
He got locked into a battle with Magic Verse and was getting the better of him when Ahead Of The Facts swept past him and romped home by three lengths.
Navajo Nation also overtook Holding Thumbs who held on for a gallant third.
Master Redoute caught the eye running on for fourth ahead of Magic Verse.
Bred by Syrilla Stud, the winner, who is raced by Zev Blieden, Ryan Copeland, Darren Smith, Jarrid Murcia, Dave Musikanth & Garth Musikanth, is a son of Futura (Dynasty) out of the one-time winning Silvano mare, Nicety.
A R100 000 National Yearling Sale purchase instigated by Jonathan Snaith, the progressive Ahead Of The Facts has won 4 races with 7 places from his 15 starts for stakes of R740 150.
