Coltrane (Bernard Fayd’herbe) gets the better of Gone Baby Gone (Warren Kennedy) in a rousing finish to the Chairman’s Cup (Pic: Bay Media)
An astute and determined ride off a muddling pace on a superior fit horse sealed a second stakes victory for Joey Ramsden’s progressive stayer, Coltrane, in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Chairman’s Cup run over 3200m at Kenilworth.
A reformed character this summer after a quiet start to the season, Coltrane was considered an unlucky loser of the Gr2 Urban Honey Stayers on Met Day when caught flat-footed by a cleverly dictatorial ride from the front by Gavin Lerena on Mike De Kock’s Kingston Mines.
Joey Ramsden – gets them fit
In a disappointing six horse field on Saturday, the chances of the pace being the undoing of Coltrane yet again, looked a serious possibility. But this time it bizarrely worked in his favour as the class horse. He loafed along and his five opposing jockeys lost a golden chance to make him carry his weight.
The staying ranks debate raises its head every time we have a race over an inch further than 2200m and Cape Thoroughbred Sales deserve every credit for coming to the party for a race that just cannot hold on to a sponsor.
And after Saturday, maybe we can see why. Just six trainers threw their hats in – for a not to be snuffed at first cheque of R156 250.
Where are the owners of staying horses? Or aren’t there any staying horses?
The race was run at a walk. Francois Herholdt took Lorenzo Marques up to lead early as they loped along in indian file and at the 2400m marker he was passed by Count My Luck who went up to head matters. Pardon the yawn.
Coltrane eventually dropped through to midfield and about 6 lengths off the leader and was quietly passed by Putney Flyer at the 1200m marker.
With some speeding up and others hitting the anchors, they suddenly bunched and a compact sextet turned it into a sprint for home. Coltrane came through the centre at the 350m marker with Gone Baby Gone in close attendance.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – feature double
Under a driving ride, and with the looming presence of Gone Baby Gone, Bernard Fayd’herbe showed his value yet again (he also rode the winner of the earlier Gr3 Prix Du Cap) as Coltrane dug deep and ran on strongly to win by 0,75 lengths in a pedestrian time of 222,94 secs- which is an average of ten seconds outside the standard time for this trip – admittedly measured over just five races.
Something had to run second – but it was a hearteningly improved effort from Gone Baby Gone, who received all of 7,5kgs from the winner.
The Trippi filly Shingwedzi had every chance but failed to kick when it counted and plodded into third, with the erratic Putney Flyer a modest fourth.
The Argentinian-bred Coltrane is a son of Giant’s Causeway out of the twice-raced Rainbow Quest mare, Nuance.
He was bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud and was purchased at the National Yearling Sale for R1 250 000.
Coltrane has now won 6 races with 14 places from 26 starts and R743 193 in earnings.
He surely looks a possible Gold Cup horse at this stage of the game.
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Gr3 Chairmans Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, February 21, R250k, 3200m, turf, good, 3.42.94
1 – COLTRANE (ARG), 60.0, ch g 5, Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Nuance (IRE) by Rainbow Quest (ANY). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder bred in Argentina; trainer J Ramsden; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Gone Baby Gone (SAF), 52.5, b g 4, Greys Inn (USA) – Native Gem (ARG) by Lode (USA)
3 – Shingwedzi (SAF), 57.0, b f 4, Trippi (USA) – Buffalo Dance (GB) by Sadler’s Wells (USA)
Margins: 0.75, 1.50, 0.50
