The Ideal World mare Onesie hadn’t seen the winner’s enclosure since New Year’s Day of 2017. But a change of work and a tactical decision to target the 3200m Listed Glenlair Trophy produced the magic for the astute Jacques Strydom.
Owned by the trainer in partnership with Australian-based Dave Devoy, whose jockey brother Shannon is out of commission after a hip operation, Ridgemont Highlands’ Greg Cheyne rode the mare under sufferance and a kilo over in the end, and showed his deft judgement of the Fairview track off a muddling pace.
Greg Cheyne has Onesie well in control Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
“That was a masterful ride by Greg Cheyne. I couldn’t believe he was available and I called him and put him on Onesie. Things panned out as we anticipated,” quipped Strydom of his 15-1 shot who stayed on resolutely in the straight to beat the late finishing Evolver by 1,50 lengths in a time of 210.47 secs.
“She was fit and well. I expected the field to be small and I’m glad we took our chances,” said the trainer, who also saddled the more fancied Frikkie (fourth) and the long-time pacesetter, Omaha Tribe.
The Cape raider and 16-10 favourite Ballad Of The Sea had every chance but had nothing to come late in the race and ran 5,50 lengths off the winner.
A winner of 3 races with 13 places from 34 starts for stakes of R370 775, Onesie was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein from Ideal World (Kingmambo) out of the four-time winning Rich Man’s Gold mare, Treaj Pots.
This is her first stakes success.
Onesie was purchased by Brian Burnard for R130 000 off the 2015 Val De Vie Yearling Sale.
