Another Sean Tarry Grade 1 double and two locals repelling the invaders. That, in essence, is the story of the Grade 1 sprint races over 1200m at Scottsville on Saturday.
The Golden Horse Sprint and the South African Fillies Sprint went to Tarry runners – Warrior’s Rest and Celtic Sea respectively – while Gareth van Zyl-trained Vernichey claimed the Allan Robertson Championships for two-year-old fillies and Tempting Fate from the Dennis Drier yard walked away with the Golden Horse Medallion for two-year-olds.
Tarry had a very strong hand in the Golden Horse Sprint with five of the 11 runners. When they jumped Ikigai eventually went off as 15-4 favourite with Eden Roc at 6-1 and last year’s winner Chimichuri Run at 8-1, all expected by the betting public to finish ahead of Warrior’s Rest.
But, ridden by Callan Murray, it was Warrior’s Rest who fought out a tight finish to get the better of Ultra Magnus (12-1) by a short head. Third place went to top-weight Kasimir with Chimichuri Run in fourth.
Murray had him out in a flash and he was always up with the pace. Over the last 200m it was left to Warrior’s Rest and Ultra Magnus to fight it out.
“We both levelled up with pace from the jump and I just thought this horse dug down deep. He’s a big individual and was really tough to the line.
“I haven’t had much success for Mr Tarry and it’s nice to have one at the highest level after so long. It’s also a privilege to ride a Group 1 winner for Mr van Niekerk in these silks.
When asked about his plan, Tarry replied: “The plan was I needed five to win it but I didn’t know which one,” said Tarry. “I must say, it was a really cool ride from Callan Murray. He’s a gut who has really stamped himself as one of the top jockeys in the country. He ‘s a very humble and professional young rider.
“He’s worked this horse regularly and deserves the Group 1 victory one him.”
SOUTH AFRICAN FILLIES SPRINT
There’s a very old 1-2-3 joke, that involves one litre of brandy, two litres of coke and a three litre Ford.
Well, although Race 7 at Scottsville was everything but a joke, punters will probably call the South African Fillies Sprint a 1-2-3 affair for years to come.
Fact is, it took a slow-motion replay to determine which of the three runners crossed the line first.
That honour went to Celtic Sea, ridden by Gavin Lerena, with Brett Crawford’s Run Fox Run (Anton Marcus) and Corne Spies’ charge Singforafa (Lyle Hewitson) also in the picture, separated by 0.10 lengths.
A closer 1-2-3 finish is hard to find.
But a closer look reveals some other interesting 1-2-3 fact.
With this victory, Celtic Sea pushed her careers earnings up to R3 million. Not bad for a horse who cost R325,000 at the National Yearling Sale in 2017.
Run Fox Run now has the distinction of at last finishing second in a race, after her first seven runs resulted in six wins and a fourth place.
As for Singforafa, well, she jumped from gate No 3 for the third consecutive time to finish third.
But enough of the stats.
“At the end of the day, when you’ve got superstars like this to work with, it makes your job quite easy. They make you look good,” said Tarry in the post-race interview.
“She’s a proper filly and I’m very proud of her. She’s shown what champion status is all about.”
He also complimented Lerena. “He was cool as a cucumber,” said the champion trainer.
As for Celtic Sea’s next adventure, Tarry was cautious to confirm a shot at the Garden Province on Vodacom Durban July day, saying it would probably be dependent on the draw.
According to Tarry Celtic Sea has done more than she has had to do this season, “but we are in Durban…”.
GOLDEN HORSE MEDALLION
There were two masters involved in the outcome of this race – the sire, Master Of My Fate, and trainer Dennis Drier, who has become a master at winning Grade 1 races at this meeting.
“I think this my eighth,” said Drier after Tempting Fate surged clear to beat Pray For Rain, also trained by Drier, by 1.50 lengths. “But you’ve got to have the horses.”
The runner-up, who went off at 15-1 and was ridden by Athandiwe Mgudlwa, looked to have built up a winning lead going into the final 150m but Sean Veale had 3-1 shot Tempting fate in full cry down the centre and he went on to win comfortably.
Third place went to 40-1 shot No Laying Up, trained by Vaughan Marshall and ridden by Aldo Domeyer, with 2-1 favourite Erik The Red, who never got into the race, in fourth, beaten 5.10 lengths.
“When we went to the sale this was the only horse I wanted,” said Drier. “But I stopped bidding because I didn’t have an owner. Brian (Airey) said ‘go one more’ but I said no.
“However, Brian put up his hand, and that was the lucky knockdown to us.”
And thus the name – Tempting Fate.
He was bred by Avontuur Stud and coast R550,000 as a yearling,
ALLAN ROBERTSON CHAMPIONSHIP
Gareth van Zyl Jnr bagged his first Grade 1 win as trainer in Race 5, the first sprint of the day.
His Vercingetorix filly Vernichey and jockey Warren Kennedy completed their hat-trick-partnership and maintained their unbeaten record at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
It was a hard-fought victory, with Ecstatic Green just a breath away in second and War of Athena finishing third, less than a length off the winner.
“This filly has shown so much depth,” said Van Zyl after the race. “She’s a filly that finds and finds and finds,” he said, adding that it’s a privilege, pleasure and blessing to train a horse of this calibre.
“All credit also to Warren. To have him on and helping us into this position is a great honour.”
Van Zyl also paid special attention to Vercingetorix, calling him an exciting stallion.
REPORTS FROM JACK MILNER AND DANIE TOERIEN- Tab News
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