The Glen Kotzen-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Holding Thumbs is one of the most consistent horses in training and his courage has been shown in his last two starts in which he has carried 63,5kg and 62kg to victory in two respective races over 2500m, the Listed WSB Club Prive Cape Summer Stayers Handicap and the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Chairman’s Cup.
In the Summer Stayers he started at odds of 16/1 and got up by a hairs-breadth in a battle for the line with a horse who was carrying 11kg less than him and in the Chairman’s on Saturday the big horse came from a handy position with a sustained run and held off the late burst of Magic Verse, who was also carrying 62kg and gave the incredible Vercingetorix a double in the race.
It is interesting to note Karel Miedema’s raceform awarded Holding Thumbs the best AR (Ability Rating) of the whole day on LKP day with his Chairman’s win earning him and AR of 113.
Magic Verse, who was beaten 0,75 lengths, was given a 112.
There were a number of other 112s on the day.
All of The Real Prince, Questioning and See It Again were given 112s for their 1-2-3 finish in the Gr 1 wfa L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
Kingdundee was given a 112 for his win in the Gr 1 wfa Cape Flying Chammpionship.
Holding Thumbs was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and is out of the Fort Wood mare Withbatedbreath, whose three wins were from 1600m to 1800m, but she was send in the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m and fifth in the Gr 2 SA Oaks.
Holding Thumbs has had 26 starts for nine wins, four seconds, three thirds, two fourths and a fifth.
In staying races i.e.races at 2400m and more he had had ten starts for four wins, four seconds and a third and a fourth. He has never finished further than three lengths back in a staying race.
Holding Thumbs is owned by Messrs P Bamford, D D MacLean & Gary Player Stud Farm (Pty) Ltd, Mrs J Doyle & Mr L S & Mrs Rayna Govender.
He is now merit rated 119.
What an admirable galloper Holding Thumbs is!
