“I must catch a wake-up.” The words of jockey Richard Fourie who tumbled out of the saddle of the fancied Bunker Hunt at the start of the Politician Stakes – but who would go on to win the next three races – two Gr1’s and a Gr2!
A superb judge and a natural talent rated as a man they’d go to war with by many of his peers, Fourie has the knack, ability and strength to get them home if they’re half good enough.
Richard Fourie steers Doublemint to victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
And he’s awake most of the time, as he showed when displaying all of those attributes, getting Sun Met entry Doublemint up to catch the free-striding Kampala Campari in the shadow of the post in the R400 000 Gr2 Peninsula Handicap.
Aldo Domeyer had Kampala Campari out front from the jump in the 1800 contest and he led Magnificent Seven, Ballad Of The Sea and The Slade.
In the run for home Kampala Campari continued to gallop powerfully and found himself up against the outside rail and not looking like stopping.
Fourie was working on Doublemint, who had been loping along back of midfield about ten lengths off the pace, and the son of Twice Over (yes, another one!) started picking them off as he got the leader in his sights.
Under a top ride Doublemint found Kampala Campari in the shadow of the past for a last stride win by a neck in a time of 110,86 secs.
Longshot Man About Town plugged away smartly for the R40 000 cheque in third a further 2,25 lengths away, with stayer American Landing improving again in fourth.
Behind the scenes – the Honourable Gillian Foster and John Freeman lead Doublemint in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Last year’s winner and favourite Eyes Wide Open, plodded late and could do no better than a 4,55 length sixth. This talented colt, the 2018 Investec Cape Derby winner, is becoming a frustrating horse to follow. Gelding seems the obvious course of action.
A winner of 5 races with 5 places from 12 starts, Doublemint was another winner for Observatory stallion Twice Over, who enjoyed a memorable day, also siring the winner of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
The winner was bred by Alec Foster out of the one-time winner Nepeta (Tale Of The Cat). Doublemint races in the familiar Foster scarlet and gold.
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Gr2 Peninsula Handicap (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, January 5, R400k, 1800m, turf, good, 1.50.86
1 – DOUBLEMINT (SAF), 55.5, ch c 4, Twice Over (GB) – Nepeta (NZ) by Tale Of The Cat (USA). Owner Mr A N & The Hon Mrs G R Foster; Breeder AN Foster; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie
2 – Kampala Campari (SAF), 58.0, b g 5, Querari (GER) – Kwitizina (SAF) by Captain Al (SAF)
3 – Man About Town (SAF), 52.0, b c 4, Gitano Hernando (GB) – Ethnic Beauty (SAF) by Leopard Strike (SAF)
Margins: 0.20, 2.25, 1.25
