A mere R20 000 can still buy a classic prospect. Just ask Joey Ramsden how.
The Milnerton trainer has been on both ends of the buying spectrum in the sales arena. But the former Cape Champion bounced back in style with what will be a particularly pleasing start to his Cape summer campaign.
Bernard Fayd’herbe and Twist Of Fate are well clear of the pack (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
It’s no secret that the multiple Gr1 handler took a severe knock during the Mayfair Speculators crash almost a year ago.
But through it all he has never forgotten how to train feature winners and the Brit lowered the flag of some big guns for his thrilled Mauritius connections when Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes placer Twist Of Fate came out fresh and galloping after a three month break to grind his opposition into the dust.
Drawn widest of all, the Listed Somerset 1200 winner, who holds the distinction of being his exciting young sire’s first winner and maiden stakes winner (as a 2yo), was brought across from his wide draw by Bernard Fayd’herbe to lead the unbeaten Pleasedtomeetyou and weak favourite Lanza.
In the short run for home, Fayd’herbe gave the goodlooking colt more rein and he lengthened smartly.
With none of the opposition making any impression, Twist Of Fate went all the way to beat the late finishing Gauteng raider Cirillo by 1,25 lengths in a time of 85,15 secs.
The previously unbeaten Listed Sophomore winner Pleasedtomeetyou was given every chance by Greg Cheyne but went one-paced late and was beaten 3 lengths into third.
All smiles at the lead-in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
It is unclear whether Fayd’herbe made the choice to switch to Twist Of Fate after he won the Sophomore Sprint on the hard ridden Pleasedtomeetyou.
The Dynasty colt Majestic Mozart was backed at long odds and caught the eye when making up many lengths to bank fourth cheque. He is bred to win the Derby, so this would have pleased his multitude of owners.
After Clipper Captain had reared at the start and been unloaded to be passed fit by the Vet, his antics appeared to unsettle KZN raider Crown And Country, who reared and lost many lengths.
He was declared a non-runner. Jockey Sean Veale, who made a winning start to his Cape campaign by winning the second race, pulled Crown And Country out of the race – a pity as a good solid gallop and effectively rather playing to the whistle would probably have served far more value for his connections after his five months rest
Owned by the Mauritius-based River Palace Syndicate, the Favour Stud-bred Twist Of Fate is out of the twice winning Counter Action mare, Crescent Lily, a winner of the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview.
A R20 000 buy off the CTS March Yearling Sale, Twist Of Fate has won 4 races with 3 places from 8 starts for stakes of R441 600.
A handsome son of seven-times deceased champion sire Jet Master, the R3 million Master Of My Fate was the top colt sold from the 2011 National Sale and was a winner of six of eight starts, from 1200m to 1800m.
He was the leading first crop sire by winners last season.
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Gr3 Cape Classic (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, October 27, R250k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.25.15
1 – TWIST OF FATE (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Master Of My Fate (SAF) – Crescent Lily (SAF) by Counter Action (SAF). Owner River Palace Racing Syndicate; Breeder Favour Stud; trainer J Ramsden; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Cirillo (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Pomodoro (SAF) – Miss Wordsworth (SAF) by Lake Coniston (IRE)
3 – Pleasedtomeetyou (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Querari (GER) – Plaisir De Fete (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
Margins: 1.25, 1.75, 0.40
