Vercingetorix had a treble at Turffontein Inside on Saturday and it included another fine front-running display by the Mike de Kock-trained Forever Mine in the highest rated race of the day, a MR 105 Handicap over a 1500m trip which is ideal for him.
JP van der Merwe produced a fine ride, managing to find the front from the widest draw of all in the 14 horse field.
Forever Mine used his big stride to dictate at a good tempo and kept going well to held off the late run of the gallant one-eyed Ndlamu.
The favourite Outofthedarkness had too much to do but ran on well for fourth and if he clashes with Forever Mine in the Allied-Steelrode Charity Mile he could reverse form as he will prefer the Standside course and appreciate the 100m further trip.
Forever Mine ran off a 103 and has been raised to 106.
Vercingetorix’s run on the day began with The Mauritian, who made an eye-catching debut for the in-form Brett Crawford yard to win the first over 1200m by 2,40 lengths. The win also gave Kabelo Matsunyane the first leg of a treble.
The Mauritian, bred by Lammerskraal Stud, is appropriately named as he runs in Mauritius’s most famous colours, the light blue, red chevron and cap of the Gujadhur family.
The Mauritian used his pace to overcome a wide draw and sit in a handy position. He quickened well when the pressure was on and ran away from them to win comfortably.
He does not look like the most imposing sort but is quick, not surprisingly, being out of Blizzard Belle, whose wind assisted time of 54.55 seconds at Fairview in 2016 was the fastest time ever run over 1000m in SA.
Vercingetorix’s other win was also via a fine front-running display by the big mare Paschals Samore, who is capable but enigmatic, her career consisting of 3 wins, one fourth, one fifth and 27 unplaced runs.
The Weiho Marwing-trained six-year-old mare won by an easy 3,30 lengths under a fine ride by Matthew Thackeray.
