Double Grand Slam Lands A Second Gr 1

In the big day’s chief supporting feature, the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m, the Justin Snaith-trained Varfontein Stud-bred Vercingetorix filly Double Grand Slam proved herself the best filly in the country under a fine ride by Andrew Fortune.

Double Grand Slam was slightly slowly away from draw nine out of 13, but it panned out perfectly for her when Fortune drove her forward as she was able to find the rail in midfield.

Fatal Flaw was even slower away and then had to round virtually the whole field and only got into her favurite front-running role at about the 700m mark.

Rascova was the early leader and only got a tow from Fatal Flaw when more than half the race was run.

Richard Fourie is usually Double Grand Slam’s rider, but is contracted to Ridgemont, so had to ride Mon Petit Cherie.

Mon Petit Cherie sat on the rail behind Double Grand Slam and only had three horses behind her.

Scarlet Macaw went round Rascova before entering the straight and hit the front.

Fatal Flaw began fading and Rascova challenged for the lead together with Spumante Dolce, but Rascova was hanging to the left.

Meanwhile, Double Grand Slam got a dream run down the inside to middle part of the track.

This was as opposed to Mon Petit Cherie, who had to wait for a gap and then had to be angled to the outside.

Double Grand Slam hit the front at the 200m mark.

Mon Petit Cherie then ran at her strongly, but it was too late and she was beaten 0,80 lengths. Mon Petit Cherie is much improved and was perhaps a touch unlucky not to add this to her WSB Fillies Guineas victory, considering the path she had to take in the straight.

Nevertheless, Double Grand Slam was a thoroughly deserving winner, especially considering he bad luck she suffered in this same race last year, not to mention her bad luck in the recent Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

Rascova was a 2,20 length third and Just Be lekker and Spumante Dolce were beaten three lengths and four lengths in respective fourth and fifth places.

Fortune saluted the crowd before crossing the line, but the stipendiary stewards did not react to it.

However, they did react to his showboating in the winner’s enclosure, where he prompted further crowd applause by standing up in the saddle and waving his crop like an orchestra conductor.

He was fined R2000 for removing his skull cap on two occasions during that sideshow.

Fortune’s life story is well documented and he said in the winning interview, “People want to tell me that there’s no God? If I told you that just six months ago, when I didn’t have a license, that I would have been riding a Group 1 for Justin on July day …. they would have referred me to a mental institution. So, the people who are not believers … look at my life and you’ll become a believer. I had little to do with this win. I just turned up. You see, the human race can’t close doors that God has opened. It’s amazing … a Group 1 … at 58 (age). It wasn’t that easy, as I had 3 plans in my head … I was going to sit 4th … and then I had plan B as she got left half a length. Now I was on plan C already! But just before I turned for home, I said to her, ‘Girl, are you awake? She pushed her chest out and said, ‘You just say when I must go’. I hit the front too early. I was so excited! Thanks to Justin, Mr MacLean, Mr Player, Drakenstein, for allowing me to ride her.”

Justin Snaith said, “I was too nervous to watch as you can find so much trouble, and this filly finds it all the time. This race is always tough and very competitive. Every breeder wants to win it, so you know what you’re up against. Her July Gallop was just sensational and as I previously said, they turned the cameras off when she galloped, but if they had left them on, she would have been 5-10! I can assure you that anything on that day, she would have beaten in a 1400 gallop. I’m just very proud. To Dave McLean, Drakenstein, Gary Player … it’s just very special. She was in such a bad mood after not getting a run in the SA Fillies Sprint and to prove it today, is incredible. Congratulations to Varsfontein on breeding a beautiful animal. She’s bred in the purple and is going to be a serious filly for Drakenstein one day. Very proud to be her trainer.”

Rebecca Player spoke on behalf of part-owner Gary PLayer and said, “We’re very happy Double Grand Slam won and can’t wait for more to come.”

Kevin Sommerville, racing manager of part-owners Drakesnstein Stud, said, “A massive congratulations to Justin, Jono and the whole team. Fantastic ride by Andrew. To the owners … your beautiful filly … it’s really special and in a race like this … it’s spectacular. I’m very happy.”

Jaco Erasmus of breeders Varsfontein Stud said, “It’s been a phenomenal day. We were represented by 6 horses in the July, but unfortunately only one could win. What an honour to have all those horses in the race. We’ve had two Group 1 winners and a Group 2 winner on the day …. I’ve got no voice left. The champagne is going to flow tonight. (Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables bred the July winner, but her mares board at Varsfontein Stud)”

Dave MacLean is the other part-owner of Double Grand Slam alongside Drakenstein Stud and Gary Player.

A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Double Grand Slam is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the two-time winning Captain Al mare Princess Peach.

Double Grand Slam has now on eight races, including two Gr 1s, and has had seven places from 18 starts for stakes of R2 973 713.

Double Grand Slam has faced her arch rival Rascova 13 times and the tally is now 8-5 in her favour.