Rapidash gives Justin Snaith the third leg of a quick four-timer at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Tuesday and it was the first leg of a double for owner Nick Jonsson (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Rapidash flew home under Grant Van Niekerk in Tuesday’s Class 2 Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville to snatch victory from Pacaya in the very last stride. Richard Fourie drove Pacaya into the lead soon after turning for home and approaching the final 200m, the pair appeared destined for certain victory. But Rapidash was now in full cry from near the back of the field and the 4yo son of Danon Platina quickly reeled back the leader and got his nose in front in the nick of time to give Champion trainer Justin Snaith a thrilling one-two finish.
Conceding 6,5kgs to the winner, Pacaya was far from disgraced in defeat and he is sure progress with the benefit of this run under the belt. He has proven in the past that he can mix it up with the best around and the relatively lightly raced 6yo Trippi gelding could yet make his mark through the forthcoming Cape Summer Season. Otto Luyken was backed into favouritism off his light weight but after making the early running, Gareth Van Zyl’s runner offered scant resistance and was well beaten into third spot.
Snaith got off to a real flyer at the country course yesterday, taking out the first four races on the card. Ante-post favourite Groovejet drifted in the betting approaching the off time for the opening event, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, as the money poured onto Vaughan Marshall-trained Happy Days, who shortened to 5/2 from an initial call of 10/1. With 300m to run it appeared as if the inspired support for Happy Days was going to pay off, but JP van der Merwe never let up on Groovejet and the 4yo son of Silvano responded slowly but surely to gain the upper hand in the final few strides.
Groovejet was under the pump before turning for home and his supporters will have feared the worst at that stage, but kudos to JP for a fine never-say-die ride which ultimately paid dividends. Happy Days is clearly improving, and he should make amends in the not-too-distant future.
Snaith and Fourie teamed up to win the second race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m, with Lady Springfield who found extra over the final 200m to thwart the persistent challenge from Lavender Bay. Lady Springfield was having only her third career start and the 3yo daughter of Master Of My Fate has any amount of improvement still to come as she strengthens and furnishes.
Snaith was back in the winner’s enclosure after the fourth race won by Call To Unite, a progressive 4yo son of Vercingetorix. Call To Unite’s success gave owner Nick Jonsson a quick double and Snaith his fourth consecutive winner, interestingly all ridden by different jockeys. Craig Zackey was aboard Call To Unite who battled on gamely in the closing stages to get the better of his stable companion, Daimyo, by a narrow margin.
Having his first run as a gelding, Big Unit (10/1) took out the fifth race for Brett Crawford in a blanket finish and the sixth race saw the exit of many Pick 6 tickets as Fly To Rio (25/1) stormed home under the outside rail to win comfortably. Crawford notched up his second winner when Night Bomber (12/1) narrowly got the better of a dual with stable companion Speed Racer in the seventh race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1250m.
