Varikate beats good field to win Gr2 Post Merchants in style
Trainer Justin Snaith took another step towards clinching the national trainer championship when the Var flyer Varikate beat a smart field to win the R350 000 Gr2 Post Merchants run over 1200m on the Greyville turf on Friday evening. The 4yo filly registered her biggest success to date and her win was a courageous one and full of merit.
On a day said to be of dubious fortune, the Cape trainers had little bad luck and enjoyed a fair slice of the action winning fifty percent of the card. The entertaining first mixed turf-poly meeting under lights saw Snaith and Dean Kannemeyer enjoying a double while Joey Ramsden also scored with a smart looking debut winner in the first.
The thirteen horse Post Merchants field hosted a wide open and uncertain betting market and the Captain Al filly All Is Secret was installed a weak favourite.
In a race of plenty of pace, Varikate was relaxed out front by Grant Van Niekerk and was only challenged inside the final 300m. Kevin Shea produced Kingston Boy with what looked a winning effort but the son of Mogok appeared to run onto the leader’s heels and then hesitated as she shifted slightly in front. It was strange that no race review was announced.
Anthony Delpech had also sent Eddie Sweat down the inside rail with a big looking run but try as he might he could just not get to the front two.
Varikate stayed on under an inspired Grant Van Niekerk (who also rode Diva’s Daughter for Justin earlier) to score by 0,75 lengths in a time of 70,50 secs. She started at a generous 8 to 1.
Kingston Boy tried very hard but may have been intimidated by the shifting leader, while Eddie Sweat ran all the way to the wire in his first dip in the big league and was under a length back in third.
The lukewarm favourite All Is Secret never showed and finished 2,40 lengths back in ninth position.
Justin Snaith and Grant Van Niekerk celebrate a plan come together
The highly vaunted Divine Jet flopped yet again and despite having excuses and being out at the weights, Dean Kannemeyer will be going back to the drawing board with this frustrating talent. Gelding may be a last resort.
Joey Ramsden’s Happy Forever appeared to break down in running and was pulled out of the race by jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe.
Jockey Grant Van Niekerk deputised for regular pilot Richard Fourie and said that he had kept Varikate together up the hill into the home dash.
“I was whistling to her and keeping her relaxed. When I gave her the green light she accelerated and geared up. I knew then that they would have to be good to get to me.”
Trainer Justin Snaith said that Varikate was the ‘best natured filly in the yard.’
“A 12yo could ride her. She has a lovely nature and is top class. I would love to use her as a polo pony. Nobody would get near me! But that is not going to happen. She is another brilliant daughter of Var and will make a great broodmare when the time comes,” he said.
Bred by racing stalwart and avid Newcastle United supporter, Bill Nelson, Varikate is a daughter of Var out of the six time winning Modern Day mare, Katies Star. The mare was trained by Joey Ramsden in her track career and raced in the same silks as Varikate.
Varikate has now won 5 races with 5 places from 11 starts for stakes totalling R549 515.
She had run a nice fourth 5,35 lengths behind Via Africa in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint but had just held on at her first outing in KZN when winning a 1000m at Greyville. On that performance, many thought that she would be run over in the final 200m of this race
