Gimmethatpearl proved to be Drakenstein Stud’s latest stakes winner of the season (Pauline Herman Photography)
It was a nailbiting day for Gaynor Rupert and Kevin Sommerville and the rest of the Drakenstein Stud team on Sunday at World Pool Gold Cup day as they had a few chances to break their own South African record of 21 stakes winners in a season.
They had equalled the record when the Justin Snaith-trained Gimmethatpearl (Gimmethegreenlight) won the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes over 1600m at Fairview on July 11 and they looked all set to break the record for the fourth season in succession.
However, it ended up being down to a few horses on Gold Cup day to take them over the line i.e. Narina Trogon (Silvano) and The Africa House (What A Winter) in the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes over 1600m, Future Swing in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup, See It Again in the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup and Un Bel Di and Symphony In White in the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m.
Narina Trogon and The Africa House never threatened, finishing a 4,50 length seventh and a 4,80 length eighth.
However, Future Swing led the Gold Cup and made a brave bid to hold on in the staight, retaining the lead until the 100m mark and finishing a gallant 1,80 length third.
See It Again looked dangerous at the top of the straight as he was traveling ominously well and was not only all over the pacemaker Dave The King but he seemed to have The Real Prince trapped in a pocket too.
However, The Real Prince managed to sneak through a gap between Dave The King and rail and See It Again was unable to match his finish. He could nt repel the challenge of the eventual winner Gladatorian either. See It Again was beaten 1,60 lengths into third.
Then in the last stakes race of the South African season Un Bel Di found the rail in front from draw three under Tristan Godden and quickened well at the top of the straight to put daylight between himself and the opposition. At the 200m mark he must have been about 1,5 to two lengths clear, but Outlaw King then burst out of the pack and Future Variety was flying from the back of the field.
Alas, Un Bel Di could not hold on and was beaten 1,45 lengths into third, while Symphony In White’s charge came too late and she could only manage a 2,75 length fifth.
Drakenstein ended the season with 21 stakes winners of 30 races which was as opposed to their 21 stakes winners of 31 races last season.
Drakenstein did still have a lot to cheer about on Saturday as they bred King Pelles, the winner of the main race, the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup. He had won stakes races previously so did not count as an additional stakes winner.
