Veteran trainer Dennis Drier produced an ace on his final day at the office at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when the red hot Sean Veale steered Live My Life to a surprise win over reigning SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom in the SplashOut Gr3 Prix du Cap.
In a victory that was less popular with the punters than the sentimentalists, the revitalised Veale took the fight to his opposition off a modest gallop and rode a cracker as Captain’s Ransom could just not haul the year younger Live My Life in.
Sean Veale and Live My Life are too strong for Captain’s Ransom (Richard Fourie) in an exciting finish (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
At the 200m it looked like Captain’s Ransom would go out the back door, but it was testimony to her courage and ability that she fought on for second.
Easy to back at 16-1, Live My Life ran on too strongly to beat the 1-4 Captain’s Ransom by 1,50 lengths in a time of 87,18 secs.
The filly has come back strongly after a 14 month break witha fractured pelvis!
Sean Veale called it an emotional moment after Dennis Drier had shown faith in him seven years ago.
“I won a race on Live My Life the week my father-in-law passed. He must be watching down to give me this special moment for Mr Drier today. It’s a very emotional time this and I can only say we will miss the master,” he added after telling new trainer Stuart Ferrie that the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint was the target for Live My Life.
Ever the polite gentleman, Dennis Drier thanked the Bifov family who had travelled from afar and Cape Racing for their hospitality.
Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh has enjoyed a staunch association with the Driers over the years and said that to have the Driers’ last feature winner an Avontuur-bred galloper was something special.
Beaten jockey Richard Fourie said that he was always chasing on Captain’s Ransom and that his champion would be retired to stud.
A R1 million Cape Yearling Sale purchase, Live My Life is a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the five-time winning Argentinian-bred Pure Prize mare, Muamba.
A winner of 4 races with 4 places from 11 starts, Live My Life has now earned R379 076.
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