Doublemint capped a brilliant week for sire Twice Over with an easy win in the Grade 3 Winter Derby at Kenilworth on Saturday. 

After placing in the first two legs, Justin Snaith’s colt had to be a serious contender with both unbeaten Rainbow Bridge and Rocket Countdown absent.

He went off a generous 2-1, due to some doubt about his ability to stay 2400m on heavy going, but strolled past Spring Man about 300m out and went on to a facile win by 3.25 lengths.

Trainer Snaith said that “the way he won was very impressive”, while Hong Kong bound Grant Van Niekerk said that “this is a definite Grade 1 candidate”.

The jockey was heavily slatted in the media for his ride on African Night Sky, rightly or wrongly. This time he rode his mount to perfection and got the glory for it. He has been a top rider for a long time and his reward is the contract to Hong Kong.

The interesting and unbeaten juvenile One World was up against some lovely horses on his listed event including the highly rated Charles, a R6 million Yearling purchase.  One World in the famous Truter blue and white colours marked himself down as potentially something very special after a dominant start to finish win in the listed Highlands Stud Langerman.

Vaughan Marshall and MJ Byleveld won this race last year with another Captain Al colt Tap O’ Noth, and will be hoping this one also goes on to Cape Guineas glory come December.

Byleveld said that “he was very impressive. He has a good action so I decided to use it, and once he quickened at the top of the straight it was all over”.

Co-owner and birthday boy Etienne Braun was cheered up by the result, as he has been laid low by flu and got out of his sick bed to attend.

Another to impress was Brave Move, who reeled off her fifth easy win in succession in the same sponsors listed Ladies Mile.

Four lengths off gutsy pacemaker Call To Account as they turned for home, Aldo Domeyer had that one’s measure halfway up the straight, and powered away to a very easy 2.25 length win to take her first stakes title.

Banker of the day Fresnaye duly arrived in the listed Winter Oaks, but was given a fright by stable mate Dynasty’s Blossom.

Donovan Dillon cleverly set sail for home a long way out on this one, and while Bernard Fayd’Herbe appeared to have the move covered, it was only in the dying strides he got the upper hand to score by a neck.

Tabnews