INVESTEC DINGAANS (Grade 2) -  NOAH FROM GOA scrapes home in a thriller

There was an excellent finish to the Investec Dingaans at Turffontein on Saturday. One has to feel desperately sorry for the runner up, NEW PREDATOR from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard, who was a winner everywhere, except on the line where the favourite, NOAH FROM GOA, trained by Mike De Kock, pipped him in the latter stages.. UNBELIEVABLE CHAD was a late scratching from the race as he bolted on the way down to the start.

The horses loaded well but both ABASHIRI and BULL VALLEY were slow away in an otherwise good start.

NEW PREDATOR was the first to show from LINEKER, NOAH FROM GOA and JUBILEE LINE. NEW PREDATOR set a good gallop and extended his lead to two lengths around the turn. At the 600m marker NOAH FROM GOA moved up to challenge but NEW PREDATOR was as game as they come and it was only in a desperate finish that the favourite claimed the advantage close home. At the 400m mark ABASHIRI looked to threaten but the slow start probably took its toll in the latter stages and the challenge never materialised. Nevertheless he ran a good third. LINEKER came back again late.

One has to make mention of the excellent jockeyship by two top jockeys, Anthony Delpech and Weichong Marwing, who gave it their all right down to the line.

Both winner and runner up look to be ones to follow in the future months.

NOAH FROM GOA has now won four from five starts. The three year old TIGER RIDGE gelding has now won R10 short of R500 000.

NOAH FROM GOA 3chG Tiger Ridge (USA) - Limerick by Fort Wood (USA).

BRED BY: Wilgerbosdrift.

OWNED BY: Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack) and Messrs M F de Kock, G M Grant, C S Haynes and G J Westwater and Mrs N P Malherbe and Dr J and Mrs A J McVeigh.