It was a memorable evening for Drakenstein Stud as they completed a Gauteng Guineas double with Rain In Holland and Safe Passage, both of whom they bred and own. 

Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade) kicked things off when she downed warm favourite Desert Miracle (1-3) in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.   

Things looked rosy for favourite backers when Gavin Lerena moved into what seemed a comfortable lead with 400m to go. 

But things changed drastically inside the final 200. Richard Fourie on Rain In Holland moved up to Desert Miracle’s girth and then straight past to an unopposed two and a half length win, with the favourite fading rather tamely. 

Mike de Kock was in a better mood after the World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas, as the increasingly impressive Safe Passage (Silvano) reeled off his fifth win in succession.

The G2 Dingaans winner went off at 4-1 in a race where quite a few fancied their chances, but quickly put the race to bed when S’Manga Khumalo unleashed him down the centre in ther final 200m. 

He strode clear to win by a length and a half, and De Kock was quick to make it clear he would be even better over further. 

Has the same owner and breeder won the Triple Tiara and Triple Crown in the same year before?

There’s a long way to go but I think not.