Robert Fayd’herbe
Robert Fayd’Herbe has paid tribute to the track managers for the early success the Mike Bass yard has been having since arriving in Joburg.
Fayd’Herbe is operating a string of 10 horses at Turffontein on behalf of the Cape Town-based trainer and on Saturday the came away from the meeting with two wins, a narrow second place and a third placing for old man Jeppe’s Reef.
“It had to come,” said Fayd’Herbe yesterday. “I must thank the track managers. They give us the grass whenever we want, so you can gallop the horses and get them quite fit early. In Cape Town you don’t get grass gallops so you have to put them in races to get them on the grass.
“These training tracks in Joburg are different class and the stables are good. These are some of the best stables I’ve seen.”
He added that the local trainers have been extremely helpful. “Mr Ferraris has been giving me valuable advice on what to do and what not to do and Chesney van Zyl has also been fantastic.
“I’m just waiting for Justin (Snaith) to come. I would love to have him here because we are good friends but we’re very competitive.”
The finish of the Joburg Spring F&M Challenge with the Bass-trained Supreme Sunset edging in on the outside
On Saturday the stable won Race 3 with 16-1 shot Rodeo Dream and the Grade 2 Joburg Fillies and Mares Spring Challenge with Supreme Sunset. Midnight Run fought on well to finish a 0.75-length second behind No Worries in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge and Mountain Master, although running 7.75 lengths back, pleased Fayd’Herbe.
“I gave him a run over a shorter distance and I would love to get him into the Sansui Summer Cup. I also think Supreme Sunset is better over 1800m or 2000m, so she also is a Summer Cup prospect.
“I’m looking at the Charity Mile for Midnight Run. The way he rallied back I think he will get 1600m if ridden more conservatively. He did not have the best of legs and they looked after him. Now is the time for him to take on the big guns.
“Jeppe’s Reef will have a crack at the staying races. He’s a little long in the tooth and he is also down in the ratings. His next race will be the Java Handicap over 2450m at the end of the month.”
Fayd’Herbe is also relishing the stake money up for grabs on the Highveld. “That’s a big attraction. It’s a normal Vaal meeting today and there are two races worth just under R100,000. In Cape Town we battle for R68,000 races.”
He added the operation still had two empty boxes and would love to find a three-year-old filly to run in some of the upcoming features. “I’m also looking forward to racing on the standside track. Bass horses always come from behind and they will love the long straight.”
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