Siniko Mtshikitshiki has a 100% race-riding record after bringing home the well-bred Vercingetorix first-timer filly Redcherry Lane at the Vaal today (Tuesday) (JC Photos)
The good looking daughter of Gr 1 Garden Province winner Redberry Lane, a Vercingetorix three-year-old filly called Redcherry Lane, made a winning debut at the Vaal today (Thursday) under unusual circumstances.
One would have expected a Lammerskraal Stud-bred filly out of a Gr 1-winning daughter of Western Winter and by possibly the country’s most sought after stallion to make a more auspicious debut than in a Wokriders Maiden Plate ridden by a Workrider who was having his first ever ride.
Sean Tarry entrusted the ride to Siniko Mtshikitshiki, who has been with the five-times SA champion trainer since last September, and Siniko repaid him by bringing the filly home.
Redcherry Lane, who has plenty of substance, started at odds of 28/10.
The 33/20 favourite was Intro, a two-year-old Bezrin filly who had some decent form against some fair horses in juvenile maiden plates and juvenile plates.
Redcherry Lane wore ear muffs and jumped akwardly, upward and out to the right.
Siniko sbowed good balance to stay aboard, especially considering he rides noticeably short.
The horse lost a couple of lengths, but he didn’t show any sign of panic and allowed her to use her natural pace to make up the leeway.
She showed a nice action and was soon back in contention.
The horse was green when he asked the question and he also looked a bit awkward when pushing her out, as one would expect in a first race ride.
However, she responded to his urgings and went through a gap before drawing ahead to beat Intro by a length.
Both horse and rider have 100% records and look to have promise.
However, wearing ear muffs first time out and being ridden by an unrecognised rider seems to suggest Redcherry Lane can’t be an easy customer.
