Sandringham Summit being led in by, left to right, trainer David Nieuwenhuizen, groom Daniel Cuiane and owner representative Zeyn Kirsten after winning the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
David Nieuwenhuizen arrived home from a holiday in England today and was looking forward to seeing his horses, including his first ever Gr 1 winner Sandringham Summit.
He was due to have discussions about Sandringham Summit’s future with owner Rakesh Singh on Wednesday.
He himself felt the Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein Standside on Gauteng Summer Cup day, November 25, would be a good option because it was a level weights race.
He believed a good springboard into that race would be another level weights event, the BSA Yearling Sales Race 4 over 1400m on October 7.
He said the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on October 28 might be avoided because the Gimmethegreenlight colt would have to give weight all around there.
He felt after the Dingaans, the WSB SA Triple Crown would be the next target. The first two legs, the WSB Gauteng Guineas and WSB SA Classic over 1800m would be suitable events and there would thereafter have to be a choice between the WSB SA Derby and the Gr 1 Daily News 2000.
David said a Cape Town campaign was not on the agenda at this stage.
He said an overseas campaign would definitely be an option if direct travel from SA became a reality and like others he is eager to hear more good news after a recent breakthrough in the equine export saga.
David was thrilled Sandringham Summit’s win in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes had been chosen as the World Pool Moment Of The Day, meaning groom Daniel Cuiane landed a R100,000 award.
He said his labour brokers were working on a business plan to help Daniel invest the money wisely.
Daniel has been with the yard for about five years and looks after a number of horses, but Sandringham Summit is his most prized and he made sure he was raceday groom for him on World Pool Gold Cup day.
Meanwhile, there have been some suggestions about offers for the Varsfontein Stud-bred colt, but David said he was not for sale at this stage and added, “It is hard to replace a horse like this, so the offer would have to be exceptional to be contemplated.”
Sandringham is favourite to land the Equus Two-year-old Male champion. He finished behind Lucky Lad on the points table, but beat him in the Champion Stakes. Lucky Lad was unlucky in that race, but his last place finish will likely swing the votes Sandringham Summit’s way.
David has been having a well earned break in England and paid a visit to Salisbury racecourse, which he found an eye opener with the big attendance, although at the exchange rate tough on the wallet with a 25 pound entrance fee.
He will continue to be supported by owners and business partners Rakesh Singh and Zane Kirsten and it should be onward and upward for his yard from here.
