A heartstopping burst through a nearly non-existent gap by Summer Cup double hero Master Sabina, set the seal on a sensational fourth consecutive R2 million Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup victory for trainer Geoff Woodruff at Turffontein on Saturday.
Gavin Lerena and Master Sabina just love the summer! (Pic – JC Photos)
While the R2 million carrot of Gauteng’s greatest race has fallen some way off the R5 million pace set by the Sun Met, the ‘People’s Race’ still offers plenty of excitement and the 2016 renewal will go down as another dramatic instalment.
Gavin Lerena – no fear!
Former SA champion jockey Gavin Lerena, who had to endure a week of detoxing and wasting to ride at the carded weight, and the triumphant veteran trainer Geoff Woodruff, played a starring role, accompanied by a lionhearted 7yo gelding.
After a length delay at the start following the eventual winner’s stablemate Master Switch bursting through the gate, the nineteen strong field was despatched to a bedraggled break, with Irish Pride the slowest away from his wide barrier.
As expected, it was Stonehenge under substitute rider Karl Zechner who showed the way, ahead of his Jubilee Handicap winner stablemate Liege.
In the turn for home Gavin Lerena and Master Sabina only had five behind them as the pair angled out for galloping room.
At the 400m, it was anybody’s race as Anthony Delpech produced the errant Master Switch with a dangerous looking run to challenge the one-paced Liege, as Piere Strydom looked to be full of running wide out on July winner, The Conglomerate.
At the 250m, Master Sabina had five in front of him, as Lerena got him going and forced him through a gap between stablemate Master Switch and The Conglomerate.
Gavin Lerena salutes as Master Sabina is too strong for July winner The Conglomerate and Piere Strydom (Pic – JC Photos)
Master Sabina showed guts and burst through, going on powerfully to win by 1,30 lengths in a time of 124,44 secs. This was close on 2 secs slower than his winning clock last year.
Master Sabina’s relationship with the Summer Cup started in 2013 – when as a relatively inexperienced 4yo, he was beaten by his stablemate Yorker.
In 2014 he was injured and taken out just days before the big race.
In 2015 he won a thriller – but even then had to survive an objection by his stablemate Deo Juvente.
But Saturday’s tackle buster, reminiscent of Springbok rugby legend Danie Gerber in full cry, will go down as his bravest victory to date.
Dancewiththedevil gave Gavin Lerena his first in 2011
Gavin Lerena, who was registering his third win in the race, after Dancewiththedevil got the ball rolling in 2011, has again shown he is the man for the big occasion.
“Master Sabina was just so well today and even though the race didn’t go for me early, his heart and determination made the difference in the end. When that gap closed on us at the 200m, it was a real test of courage. I just want to say well done to the whole team and particularly to Thomas and Amos,” he said.
Louis The King – Woodruff’s 2014 winner
Trainer Geoff Woodruff had four horses in the race and grabbed first and third on the occasion of his sixth Summer Cup success.
Geoff Woodruff – fourth consecutive victory
“’Master Sabina was a lot better this year than last but it is a handicap and you need luck. And when he was almost cleaned up by stable companion late in the race, I was worried,” admitted Woodruff in his typically modest style.
The 7yo has won 9 races with 5 places from 27 starts and took his stakes to R3 705 725.
Master Sabina was bred by his lawyer-owner Michael De Broglio, who was overseas and not on course to lead his favourite in.
The winner is a son of our great ill-fated champion sire Jet Master out of the five time winning Sportsworld mare, Sabina Park – who also raced in the De Broglio blue and gold,
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Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 26, R2 million, 2000m, turf, soft, 2.04.44
1 – MASTER SABINA (SAF), 56.0, b g 7, Jet Master (SAF) – Sabina Park (SAF) by Sportsworld (USA). Owner Mr M De Broglio; Breeder M De Broglio; trainer GV Woodruff; jockey G Lerena
2 – The Conglomerate (AUS), 56.0, br g 5, Lonhro (AUS) – Republic Lass (AUS) by Canny Lad (AUS)
3 – Master Switch (SAF), 53.5, b g 5, Jet Master (SAF) – Lady Windsor (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
Margins: 1.30, 0.30, 3.30
