Trainer Joey Ramsden (pictured) was able to celebrate another superb training feat when Happy Forever (SAF) posted an all-the-way victory in the Gr 2 Senor Santa Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here Comes Billy (SAF) ran on well for second ahead of Chekilli (SAF) and Skitt Sizzle (SAF).
Happy Forever was soon at the head of affairs with Chekilli and this pair disputed the lead ahead of Skitt Sizzle. There was a gap back to Link Man and Welwitschia, with Here Comes Billy racing towards the rear.
Happy Forever continued to lead entering the final furlong as Chekilli came under pressure to stay with him. Here Comes Billy started to unwind a late charge but Happy Forever was in control and ran on well to record his biggest career victory as Here Comes Billy overhauled Chekilli close to home to secure second place.
Happy Forever is rather lightly-raced for a 5-year-old, having had the early stages of his career curtailed by injury and spent a fair amount of time off the track. Ramsden and his team have done a tremendous job of getting the son of Var (USA) to the races and his record of six wins and four places from 11 starts is superb, considering the travails he has been through.
It has been particularly pleasing for Gauteng racing fans to see the Cape raiders in action in the space of a week, following Capetown Noir's agonisingly close defeat in the Horse Chestnut Stakes seven days previously, and it will be great for the sport visitors from that part of the world are sighted more frequently on the Highveld.
Here Comes Billy ran a cracker, given that he was lugging top weight and conceding 4kg to a very smart winner, while Chekilli just ran out of puff in the closing stages.
5 ch g Var (USA) - Happy Ever After by National Assembly (CAN)
Owners: Miss G Burg, Messrs A C Fortune, J Ramsden, M J T Wickens & Mr & Mrs D Naik
Bred by Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd
Winning trainer: Joey Ramsden
Race 8 - R400K - SENOR SANTA HANDICAP (Grade 2)
Open - 1160m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 3 |
HAPPY FOREVER |
Anton Marcus |
A B |
57.5 |
7 |
1 |
0.00 |
66.04 |
28/10 |
9/2 |
| 1 |
HERE COMES BILLY |
Bernard Fayd'Herbe |
A |
61.5 |
1 |
2 |
1.25 |
66.26 |
6/1 |
8/1 |
| 5 |
CHEKILLI |
Marthinus Mienie |
A |
55.0 |
5 |
3 |
1.75 |
66.35 |
28/10 |
2/1F |
| 8 |
SKITT SKIZZLE |
S'Manga Khumalo |
A |
52.0 |
9 |
4 |
3.00 |
66.56 |
8/1 |
6/1 |
| 2 |
WELWITSCHIA (GB) |
Anthony Delpech |
A |
59.0 |
4 |
5 |
3.10 |
66.58 |
6/1 |
6/1 |
| 9 |
ISOBAR |
Richard Fourie |
A |
52.0 |
8 |
6 |
3.25 |
66.61 |
20/1 |
22/1 |
| 7 |
RODEO DANDY |
Piere Strydom |
A |
54.0 |
3 |
7 |
4.00 |
66.74 |
14/1 |
22/1 |
| 6 |
MYTHICAL PALACE (AUS) |
Doctor Sifiso Lembethe |
A |
55.0 |
2 |
8 |
5.75 |
67.05 |
16/1 |
20/1 |
| 4 |
LINK MAN |
Sherman Brown |
A |
57.5 |
6 |
9 |
6.50 |
67.19 |
9/2 |
8/1 |
|
