Salute! An elated Robbie Fradd shows his joy as Close The Gap wins the Gr3 Fillies Mile (JC Photos)
The Oppenheimer legacy continued at Turffontein on Saturday when the amply talented daughter of Fort Wood, Close The Gap, won the R275 000 Gr3 Gauteng Fillies Mile in impressive fashion. Ormond Ferraris trains this descendant of one of Mauritzfontein Stud’s top families.
On a day that saw the Stipes on the warpath, the vastly experienced Fradd was given a R1000 fine for saluting in ‘a celebratory gesture prior to the finish line.’
Heaven forbid that anybody gets too excited and emotional when a good horse wins a great race.
The mile contest turned into a big race for South African horseracing’s leading family, with Mary Slack’s Athina (another daughter of Fort Wood) running into second.
The big field got away on level terms as Mathinus Mienie took St Angelique up to lead Admiral’s Eye and Wild Ash, with For The Lads on the outside.
At the 400m mark they were spread across the track as Fradd found a gap and burst through down the inside from a midfield position.
The smart Athina looked dangerous as she ranged up on the outside with Admiral’s Eye staying on without threatening.
A popular winner after being backed into favouritism, Close The Gap shot clear accompanied by a roar from the crowd and despite having cast a right hind shoe in running, she went clear to win as favourite by 1,75 lengths in a time of 98,83 secs.
Joey Soma’s Athina ran a smart second, while Admiral’s Eye stayed on for a surprise third.
Disappointments included the Starling Stakes winner Sarasota, who had nothing to come and finished 7,25 lengths behind.
The fancied For The Lads was not striding out on the left front and ran stone last.
Close The Gap is by Fort Wood out of the four time winning Plugged Nickle mare, Rawl Plug.
She has now won 3 of her 4 races after running second her debut and taken hear earnings to R296 625.
Close The Gap registered the hat trick and looks capable of following in the footsteps of some of the top equine athletes that have carried the famous black and yellow silks.
