Trainer Justin Snaith enjoyed an amazing day at Fairview on Sunday as he saddled seven winners on the ten-race card. Chief among these was True Master (SAF) who ran on strongly to justify favouritism in the Gr 3 Recall Security East Cape Derby over 2400m. He was followed home by Neartic Dancer (SAF), Placido (SAF) and Way Clear (SAF).
The early stages of the Derby were somewhat farcical, with the runners ambling along as if out for a Sunday afternoon stroll and nobody keen to take the initiative up front. Coltrane found himself in front more or less by default, with Parker, Placido and Way Clear all pulling hard just behind him, and Skippyjon Jones and Neartic Dancer next best. True Master was held up towards the rear with only Burlaine Forest behind him.
Jockey Muzi Yeni had had enough by the time they reached the halfway mark and he brought Skippyjon Jones through to take up the running, finally injecting some measure of pace into the contest and going about three lengths clear. The order stayed much the same behind him and he turned for home with a healthy lead.
It wasn't to last long, though, as Skippykon Jones weakened about 500m out and Coltrane regained the lead. Placido and Way Clear were still prominent as Neartic Dancer moved up threateningly. Meanwhile, all eyes were on True Master, who started to charge through up the outside of the pack.
Coltrane hung onto his advantage until finally giving way a furlong out. Neartic Dancer took over, but it was a brief sojourn in front as True Master unleashed a decisive burst and stormed past to win going away.
Both Snaith and winning jockey Piere Strydom said after the race that the lack of early pace - which Strydom described as "ridiculous"- had worked in favour of True Master, who was having his first run beyond 1800m. They did concur with each other, however, that despite the false pace, the son of Jet Master is a progressive sort with serious future prospects. He certainly hasn't done much wrong, this being his fifth win from just eight starts, and Snaith indicated that the Daily News 2000 may be his next big target.
Neartic Dancer was unable to match the winner's finishing kick but shouldn't be long in picking up the winning thread while Placido and Way Clear plugged away gamely after being up with the pace throughout.
3 ch c Jet Master - Bushra by Badger Land (USA)
Messrs E A Braun, M J Jooste, P S Loomes, W J C Mitchell & Mrs I Jooste
Bred by Varsfontein Stud
Winning trainer: Justin Snaith
Race 8 - R350K - RECALL SECURITY EAST CAPE DERBY (Grade 3)
For 3 year olds - 3rd Leg EC Sophomore Challenge - 2400m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 5 |
TRUE MASTER |
Piere Strydom |
A |
58.0 |
8 |
1 |
0.00 |
157.76 |
5/2 |
16/10F |
| 7 |
NEARTIC DANCER |
Robert Khathi |
A |
58.0 |
4 |
2 |
1.25 |
158.01 |
12/1 |
10/1 |
| 2 |
PLACIDO |
Aldo Domeyer |
A |
58.0 |
1 |
3 |
1.50 |
158.06 |
10/1 |
25/1 |
| 1 |
WAY CLEAR |
Stuart Randolph |
A B |
58.0 |
3 |
4 |
2.00 |
158.16 |
5/1 |
10/1 |
| 8 |
COLTRANE (ARG) |
Glen Hatt |
A |
58.0 |
2 |
5 |
3.75 |
158.51 |
5/1 |
7/2 |
| 3 |
SKIPPYJON JONES |
Muzi Yeni |
A |
58.0 |
5 |
6 |
4.25 |
158.62 |
6/1 |
20/1 |
| 4 |
PARKER |
Karis Teetan |
A |
58.0 |
10 |
7 |
6.50 |
159.07 |
11/2 |
10/1 |
| 9 |
RED SILVANO |
Karl Zechner |
A B |
58.0 |
6 |
8 |
8.00 |
159.38 |
33/1 |
50/1 |
| 6 |
BURLAINE FOREST |
Warren Kennedy |
A |
58.0 |
11 |
9 |
10.50 |
159.89 |
5/1 |
6/1 |
| 10 |
BOUCHERS INN |
Luyolo Mxothwa *2.5 |
A B |
58.0 |
9 |
10 |
11.00 |
160.00 |
40/1 |
100/1 |
| 11 |
JUST SWELL |
Francois Herholdt |
A |
58.0 |
7 |
11 |
34.50 |
164.99 |
66/1 |
100/1 |
|
