Magic Verse burst through on the inside to deny the well weighted favourite Mocha Blend at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Sunday (Picture: Race Coast)
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
After being slagged off by a disgruntled punter after his first two races, Richard Fourie “put his words back in his T-shirt”, as he reeled off a treble for Justin Snaith, first on In A Timely Manner and more importantly Magic Verse in the Conditions Plate that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 25 October.
In a field where many were prepping for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, Magic Verse was particularly impressive. Not having been seen out since a modest effort in the HKJC Gold Cup back in July, he scythed through his field under the minimum of fuss from Fourie.
Getting a clear run from the top of the straight, the Magic Verse quickened smartly under the hands to win as he liked from Mocha Blend with Whispering Death running a cracker at the weights to stay on for third.
It was an ideal Betway Summer Cup prep by Magic Verse but so was the performance by defending Cup winner Mocha Blend. Although second, she was running on stoutly and Frank Robinson will have been well pleased with her effort if one takes the long TAB Turffontein straight into consideration.
Third in the first, runner-up in the second and first in the third, that’s the way Fourie’s afternoon started and for those that follow the sport closely, the fact that Snaith was up from Cape Town to saddle his runners will have been the ‘office’ that there was something afoot.
After In A Timely Manner’s win, Fourie revealed post-race that the gelding still had plenty to offer as he got the better of The Marquee as he played them all on the break. Although shifting in away from the grandstand, In A Timely Manner had the race in hand a long way out with Snaith pointing out that he thought the right-handed Greyville circuit with its relatively short straight would suit the gelding’s running style.
The blue-blooded and expensive yearling purchase Samuel Bellamy was all the rage in the first but the benefit of experience is worth gold in many instances and Casino Royale, with one outing under his girth, showed the benefit of having some racing experience.
Jumping from a wide draw Serino Moodley had his mount contesting the lead early with Samuel Bellamy a tad slow out of the gate and having to take his medicine as the field shifted across in front of him.
Moodley revealed post-race that he knew Samuel Bellamy from the home gallops and decided to put him under pressure early.
It proved the right move as Stuart Ferrie’s four-year-old gelding quickened up smartly to hold off a late effort from Bright Blue with Samuel Bellamy racing green but making late progress from well back in the straight. One for the note book.
Trip To Venus had been knocking at the door for some time before Yogas Govender added blinkers and dropped him back to a mile for yesterday’s second race. He was given a strong lead by Prince Of Rabada allowing Tristan Godden to sit comfortably on the fence with favourite Le Concierge also comfortable on his outside under Richard Fourie. However, the favourite was under the pump early as Trip To Venus fired off the false rail and was not for the catching, leaving Le Concierge having to fight off Prince Of Raba for second.
It was a Snaith Fourie treble as Song To The Moon made all the running to land the fifth in fine style. Allowed to dictate the pace, Fourie had the field backed up from the jump before quickening away at the top of the straight with Jazz Festival, a good two-lengths adrift, edged out a cavalry charge for the minor money.
Nautical Fire prevented a major boil-over in the sixth as Darryl Moore’s charge got home under a driving ride from apprentice Anaas Mosaheb to finally get the better of rank outsider Dog Soldier. The latter had snuck up the inside rail and hit the front briefly but Nautical Fire rallied over the final 100m to get his head in front close home.
Champagne Mac took full advantage of the postage stamp on his back as he quickened away from the opposition to win as he liked. Four-claiming Elrico Sesingi had Champagne Mac well position on the rail stalking the pace and when asked for an effort, Adam Azzie’s gelding shot clear and was not for the catching with Little Cracker making a forlorn attempt to close the gap.
Losing your stick under the current rules equates to unprofessional riding but four-claiming apprentice Qiniso Ngcobo is likely to get away just with a scolding from his riding masters as he steered Scandalize to a convincing victory for Glen Kotzen in the eighth. Steering his mount through a widening gap up the center, his intended back-hander saw his crop sailing away but it may well have been a blessing in disguise as Ngcobo punched his mount out under the hands and Scandalize responded with a winning finish.
Major League rounded off the afternoon for Mike Miller and Tristan Godden. A recent maiden winner at just his third outing he had been improving with every start. He took on some modest handicappers and followed up with a smart win. Challenge from all sides, Godden powered him home to hold off challenges from Follow Your Heart and long-time leader Who Blinked with The Swan Song running on from well back for the shallow end of the purse.
