Hot Ticket and Karl Neisius cling on to victory in a fascinating race
Maine Chance Farms’ Silvano sired the first two past the post in the R500 000 Gr2 Gold Vase as Dean Kannemeyer’s soldier Hot Ticket carried weight and showed his ability as South Africa’s foremost stayer when staving off a late challenge from Wavin’ Flag. Veteran Karl Neisius rode a cracker and showed the benefit of his years of experience as he kept the winner going in fine style.
The often maligned Neisius knows his trade inside out and is ice cool no matter the occasion. Even with the dreams of a massive Pick Six pool of over R13 million resting on his shoulders, he simply didn’t panic in the arduous 3000m contest as he had the 4yo gelding idling in midfield with Oaks winner Dylan’s Promise leading the charge.
Around the final turn Marcus took Canterbury Tale around his field to speed matters up and he brought them for home.
As they turned into the straight Neisius gradually made up his ground and angled Hot Ticket inside grabbing the initiative (rather early!) as Wild One loomed dangerously.
Hot Ticket looked to be going away to win as he liked but he was flat to the boards and Wavin’ Flag got into top gear as he dashed up to challenge down his inside.
Ticket to happiness
But Hot Ticket, who was a popular Pick Six banker, went off at 12 to 10 and didn’t let the side down as he held on gamely to win by a head in a time of 190,49 secs.
Wavin’ Flag tried his heart out but even in receipt of 6,5kgs could not peg back the Kannemeyer runner.
Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Wild One looked to go past Hot Ticket and was beaten a further neck into third when looking slightly one-paced very late in the race.
The rest were four lengths plus further back.
It was a superb training feat by Dean Kannemeyer who just three weeks previously had won the 2500m Betting World Stakes with the gelding.
The test will now be to keep him on the boil for the Gold Cup.
Hot Ticket is owned by a partnership of Messrs David Abery, Rick Achmat and Ferdi Dippenaar and is a son of Silvano out of the unraced Sportsworld mare, Hot Number.
He was bred by Digteby Stud and was an astute buy from the National Yearling Sale at R180 000.
This was his sixth win with 6 places from 20 starts for stakes of R1 072 705.
