Without Question won the Grade 3 WSB Variety Club Mile well despite the race not having panned out well. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Review Of The First Leg Of The World Sports Betting Western Cape Winter Series
Cape Racing
It’s been all of two years since Rio Querari last won a race – the G1 Computaform Sprint. Beset by an arthritic joint, the gelding needed persistent care from the Snaith Racing team, and lots of time off including a rejuvenating spell at Mike Stewart’s Noordhoek beach stables before gradually regaining soundness.
The big race he ran in the Cape Flying Championship when just edged out by high class foe, Gimmie a Prince, suggested the six-year-old had some life in him yet, so Monday’s G3 Champagne Stakes victory under on-fire Richard Fourie was well-deserved.
In an exciting blanket finish, Fourie (who won Saturday’s Computaform Sprint on Isivunguvungu, plus two G2 Nurseries and a bunch of G3’s) drove top-weight, Rio Querari through a narrow split to fend off We’re Jamming, Bereave and Speed Machine.
All the beaten horses emerged with credit. We’re Jamming is mighty dangerous down the straight 6 at Kenilworth; Diadem Stakes winner, Bereave maintained ultra consistent, top-class form and winter specialist, Speed Machine picked up on his preferred soft ground to finish fourth.
Snaith and Fourie, who win at close to a 20% clip, also teamed up in the G3 WSB Variety Club Mile with Without Question. The United States three-year-old was coming in off an improved third place in the G1 Cape Derby and continued that eye-catching progression by zooming past rivals in deep stretch. He will now head up to Durban to contest the G1 Daily News where he will be a major player.
The WSB Variety Club Mile is part of the revamped Winter Series. Instead of being restricted to three-year-olds it’s now a cross generational challenge. Three-year-olds still fared well, whilst the overall strength of the fields received a major boost compared to previous years.
Stalwart, Hoedspruit made a late dash down the inside rail to fill the exacta slot with pace making 3 year old, It’srainingwilliam holding third, as a triumphant Snaith saddled the first three past the post.
Earlier, Brett Crawford trained 3 year old filly, Happy Chance won the listed WSB Sweet Chestnut Stakes, only just sneaking by Kwinta’s Light close to the finish, after that one had skipped far ahead in mid-stretch. Happy Chance is a talented Dynasty filly that was adroitly piloted by Luyolu Mxothwa.
We look forward to the second leg of the series on 20 May 2023.
