CATALOOCHEE IN A THRILLER

The Woodruff sprinting machine, Cataloochee capped off a great weekend for the Vaal based stable with a scintillating win in the R400 000 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville, earlier today. He started a firm favourite at 18/10 despite the steady support for runner up Tornado King who was backed into 6/1 from an opening call of 12/1. A field of fifteen went to post after the withdrawal of Royal Mariner and reserve runner Kiss The Cup. But Cataloochee proved to his critics that he is every bit as effective over six furlongs as he is over five with a courageous performance.

He raced just off the early pace set by Sevillano and Ball Sider on the extreme inside whilst Consent To Conquer showed blistering speed on the extreme outside and led from Zopot Casino and Stirling Bridge. Protector raced handy along with Nossob and Royal IQ. Nhlavini was well back in the early exchanges with Tornado King. Cataloochee moved through strongly at the 500m with Sevillano weakening and Ball Sider still right there. On the extreme outside Tornado King moved into a more prominent position behind Consent To Conquer. Cataloochee struck the front along the inside at the 300m but Ball Sider was putting on big pressure along his inside with Tornado King coming home hard up on the outside rail. Nhlavini also got into the shake-up at the 200m. But Cataloochee dug down deep into his reserves and found extra to hold off a fast finishing Tornado King to win. Ball Sider ran a cracker and took third with Nhlavini staying on strongly for fourth whilst Stirling Bridge stayed on late for fifth.

Trainer Woodruff  and jockey Khan spoke to SAHorseracing.COM after the race. "He is one of the best sprinters I`ve trained", said Woodruff. Jockey Mark Khan was full of praise for the son of Al Mufti saying, "he is definitely one of the best sprinters I`ve ridden, more especially since he is only 3 years old."

It was another memorable day for the owners Mr. and Mrs. Muir who was victorious with Candidato Roy on this very day last year. It was a great effort from the Woodruff team and of course Mark Khan did the honours. It was the three year old son of Al Mufti`s fifth win from just seven career outings and it took his career earnings to just over R800 000 to date. Cataloochee was bred by Dr. M. Thompson.

FAR DE VIE CAPTURES THE FILLIES` SPRINT

It was a case of being in the right place at the right time as the Danie Burger trained three year old chestnut filly, Far De Vie profited from the misfortunes of the odds-on favourite Overarching to hold off the latter and win the R300 000 S. A. Fillies` Sprint over 1200m. She caused a major stir amongst Pick 6 players as she started at alarming odds of 25/1 whilst Overarching attracted all the market support and started deep in the red at 5/10 from an opening call of 6/10 and at one stage even touched 9/20. The mare was almost impossible to beat on paper as she was 3kgs better off with the second highest rated horse in the race.

Overarching did look a penalty kick but was dealt a cruel blow when she was at least three lengths slow into stride and raced at the rear at the half-way mark. But Easyjadeasy broke smartly and paced it out with Flaming Heather, Far De Vie and Tycoon Rosita. Glittering Idol also showed good speed on the extreme outside. Jalberry raced about four lengths off the leaders whilst Elegant Blush raced only two lengths off the pace. Far De Vie came bounding into the lead at the 300m with Overarching quickly making up the ground to challenge the leader. Jalberry was further back whilst Costa Marfil was being seriously urged along. Far De Vie continued to roll in front at the 200m with Overarching running on strongly. But Far De Vie held tough to win from a desperately unlucky Overarching in second whilst Jalberry stayed on strongly for third and Texan Summer did some good late work for fourth.

Kevin Derere partnered the winner to victory for the Burger yard and for owner and breeder Mr. Rautenbach. Today`s victory took the Fard fillies` total number of wins to five from nineteen attempts and her total stake earnings to just over half a million rands to date.