Sail The Seas shows his big stride on Saturday when winning a strong Class 4 event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Sail The Seas made it three wins from five starts on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and impressed racing analyst Mark Van Deventer, who said he had recorded speed figures worthy of a Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas candidate.
Van Deventer said about the Justin Snaith-trained Vercingetorix colt, “Justin Snaith’s three-year-old cracked the triple digit speed figure mark which, historically, is what it takes to shape in the Cape Guineas.
The final time was around two seconds faster than mid to high 80’s campaigners, Zeitz and Ozark managed, and he dipped below 24 seconds for the final 400m in a smart display.”
It was the first time Sail The Seas had run over 1600m and Richard Fourie remained unbeaten on him in two starts.
Sail The Seas was drawn ten out of 15 and Fourie found a nice handy one wide position with cover.
In the straight he quickened superbly when switched outward into daylight.
He has an interesting action with his front legs thrown out some way and when he matures he is likely to have a giant stride.
After he had overtaken the pacemaker Baton Rouge, he got into a battle with One World colt Happy Days, to whom he was giving 4kg.
However, his big stride took him ahead and he won cosily by a length.
Sail The Seas runs in the familiar French grey and a violet cap colours of Ravi Naidoo, who owns him in partnership with Rurik Gobel, Countess S Labia and Dave MacLean.
Their nickname for the promsing colt is “Bertie”, after Bertie Reed, the famous South African yachtsman who knew all about sailing the seas.
Ravi recalled the moment of the purchase at the BSA National Yearling Sale, which he called a “reflex purchase.”
He said, “We were sat alone and there was a lull … people were ambling about. Non verbal comms. A nod from me. A raised hand from Jono (Snaith). And he was ours … just one bid.”
He continued, “Moments later Rurik and Dave wanted in and then when I got back I heard Countess Labia had missed the Sale and had asked after any opportunites, so I offered her a share.”
He added, “He is Rurik’s first horse and what a ride he has given us!”
