A semblance of sanity was restored at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday after a few tough results when the heavily supported Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Eden Roc won the R600 000 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe to maintain his unbeaten record.
Sean Tarry and Lyle Hewitson won the Gr3 Betting World 2200 earlier in the afternoon and the top stable was on the mark again with the heavily backed 7-10 favourite Eden Roc, who cruised up on the outside of his field amid roars from the enthusiastic crowd.
With regular pilot Hewitson riding with characteristic confidence and balance, the son of Var won impressively – albeit narrowly – as his stablemate Putontheredlight powered home under Gavin Lerena down the inside.
At the line, the pressure was probably slightly deceptive, but the popular selection had won by 0,30 lengths in a time of 85,72 secs.
Vaal-based Ashley Fortune’s Invidia stayed on best of the rest for third, a further 1,80 lengths back.
The Spies yard maintained their good form with 30-1 shot Loosen Your Tie, producing a sterling effort after his recent Scottsville maiden success to run fourth.
An elated Hewitson called Eden Roc a ‘fantastic animal’.
“He has the demeanour and ability and showed again that he deserves to be contesting these races. I’m also very fortunate to be riding these top horses,” he added.
A R340 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the Varsfontein Sud-bred son of Var (Forest Wildcat) is out of the Captain Al mare, Townsend and races in the famous Chris van Niekerk silks.
Eden Roc is bred on the same Var/Captain Al cross as the graded stakes winners Ghaalla and William The Silent.
He took his earnings to R915 625 from his perfect three from three record.
_________
Gr2 Golden Horseshoe (SAf-Gr2)
Greyville, South Africa, July 6, R600k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.25.72
1 – EDEN ROC (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Var (USA) – Townsend (SAF) by Captain Al (SAF). Owner Mr C J H Van Niekerk; Breeder Varsfontein Stud; trainer SG Tarry; jockey L Hewitson
2 – Putontheredlight (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Pomodoro (SAF) – Roxanne (SAF) by Western Winter (USA)
3 – Invidia (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Twice Over (GB) – Zili (SAF) by Parade Leader (USA)
Margins: 0.30, 1.80, 0.75
