Run, Forrest, run!
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Not to go all Warner Bros on you, but sometimes racing can be a little similar. Sure things fail to deliver, outsiders storm home unexpectedly, literally anything can happen – and usually does!
Saturday found me whizzing down the N1 to Kenilworth for the opening of the Summer of Champions to support Peter de Beyer and partners for the Gr3 Elusive Fort Cape Classic in conjunction with Cape Town Child Welfare.
There was a host of on course activities on offer – jumping castles, soccer and Ice Cream Ninjas for the kids, a sit down meal in the buzzing Peninsula Room, or pub grub in the Somerset Room for those in a more informal mood. However there was hardly time to take in any of that as the race card really was packed with good horses and good racing.
Anton Marcus and Maties Wildekat opened the card for very excited connections in the first. The second was a very special event for Anthony Andrews, who piloted home his 50th winner and shed his apprentice tag aboard Spanish Tiger from the Vaughan Marshall yard.
Appropriately, Peter de Beyer was the breeder and also part-owner. Mr Elley’s lovely Horse Chestnut filly from the Connemara Stud, Pecan Nut, was next to grace the winner’s enclosure for the Schoeman – van Huyssteen partnership under a copy book ride from Sean Cormack. Anton Marcus stormed home again in the fourth aboard Captainofmysoul for Snaith Racing and the Adams – Jooste connections.
Next up was the first of two very high quality Pinnacle Stakes fields and the spoils were landed by Sean Cormack on Casual Var for Snaith Racing and the Englezakis – Kirstin connections. Despite being ribbed about his charge’s name, Paul Reeves made sure Nonki Poo was on song for Chris Puller in the sixth and congratulations to owner-breeder Mr Strooh.
I didn’t fancy Hot Ticket in the Woolavington as he was very sweated up on parade, but he cared little for my opinion and came home full of running to hold Cigar Boy at bay to the post and give Kannemeyer Racing and their connections their first scalp of the Cape season. Delighted breeder Judy Stegeman of Digteby Stud was also on hand to see her boy in the winner’s enclosure. New sponsors are rare gems and it really was wonderful to see the Elusive Fort Syndicate be so solidly supported for their sponsorship with a high class field.
The afternoon’s feature literally bristled with 3yo talent, making it hard to choose a favourite, but Red Ray left no doubts, powering away to win by 2.5 lengths. The Cape Classic have proven to be a fairly accurate pointer to the rest of the season’s features, so we can look forward to seeing a lot more of this field. While down on the rail for the Classic, we’d encountered a visiting group of English, who had set up for the afternoon on one of the benches. Drinks and banter were flowing and they demanded a tip for the last horse race of the afternoon.
The ladies were thrilled when I recommended Beach Beauty and once I’d told them the game little galloper’s story, they decided to vet my selection and see her on parade. Deciding I was trustworthy, they put their money down and shouted her home like it was the Epsom Derby! Which just goes to show that no matter what the odds, the real thrill is simply in backing a winner. I also have to express my admiration for what an incredible filly Beach Beauty is and how exceptionally lucky we are to have her on our tracks. I hope she continues to give all her connections a lot more fun.
She beat a quality field and one well worth taking note of. Last year’s running was won by Variety Club, with Bravura, Jackson, Martial Eagle and Princess Victoria mopping up the place money.
Now I mentioned that Beach Beauty’s run was the last HORSE race of the afternoon. We did of course have an unofficial 10th race on the day’s proceedings – the Cape Town Child Welfare Jockey Dash. While a lot of punters rushed off to watch the rugby, those who stayed were in for a rare treat.
The Charity Dash Jockeys
Our jockeys seldom get celebrated other than on big race days, so I just want to give a huge big up to all the guys who participated in the Charity Dash. After a long and tiring day, I’m sure a 100m race was the last thing these guys felt like, but each and every one came out with a smile on their face and put on a show for the crowd. With Keanan Steyn and Andrew Nienaber last minute scratchings, Greg Cheyne and JP van der Merwe stepped into the breach as emergency acceptors.
Glen Hatt set the bar high, cartwheeling into the parade ring and finishing off with a couple of flick flacks which got the crowd roaring. Not to be outdone, the rest of the runners all added their own theatrics, including a fancy dress get-up from MJ Byleveld and soon everyone was cheering and shouting.
Hats off to the Kenilworth team as we had Gareth Pepper announcing all the runners, the TV crew got on board and showed all the canter downs and the starters even set up the stalls at the 100m mark. There was a bit of a scrimmage at the start as Glen Hatt broke through the stalls and had to be reloaded. Once all the runners were safely installed, the starter gave the all clear and Jehan called them home.
There were some good performances from all the runners, but our ruling Met winner, Aldo Domeyer proved just too good for them on the day, crossing the line in fine style, followed by Richard Fourie, Devin Ashby and Grant van Niekerk, but honestly, everyone who participated (Glen Hatt, Devin Ashby, Grant Behr, Aldo Domeyer, Richard Fourie, Grant van Niekerk, Robert Khathi, Richard Fourie, MJ Byleveld, Muzi Yeni, Anthony Andrews, Girish Goomany, Jason Smitsdorff, JP van der Merwe and Stallone Naidoo) are superheroes in my book.
The marketing team arranged sponsorships for each jockey and each runner participated in their sponsor’s silks. The sponsors really deserve to be mentioned by name and so I will ! Huge thanks to Freddy Hall at Motosport Distribution, Glen Mitchell, Glen Puller, Plattner Racing, Marsh Shirtliff, Bass Racing, Dean Kannemeyer Racing, Eric Sands, Avontuur Estate, Brett Crawford Racing, Sorrento Stud, Riaan van Reenen, Snaith Racing and Carl Burger.
These guys raised R16,000 for Cape Town Child Welfare and there was an additional collection where punters could make a donation and enter a draw for a grand prize of two SnooZa’s (generously donated by Sally Audagnotti). There was more fun to be had as the TV crew also filmed interviews with the winning runner and trainer and I believe the winning sire is chuffed to have it officially confirmed that he stamps his progeny with speed ! And if that wasn’t quite enough to round off the day, Mrs Plattner generously donated an additional R100,000 to Cape Town Child Welfare.
The RA has almost finished refurbing the first floor facility and took the opportunity to show it off after the races. Gone is the old, tired tiered balcony seating, replaced by a smart new viewing deck, which should prove hugely popular in the summer. The interior has been given a drastic facelift and is spacious, light and airy. I gather there are still ambitious plans for further improvements and the Cape RA members still have much to look forward to.
-Robyn Louw
