Big Easy. Normanz and Anton Marcus are on their own at the finish of the Godolphin Barb
In sharp contrast to the filly’s equivalent run earlier, the colt’s feature saw a runaway win by a favourite who appeared to be inordinately generously priced at 5 to 2 based on his reputation. Normanz won the R150 000 Gr3 Godolphin Barb in a common canter, and looks a special sort in the making.
A gamble by his trainer to fit the blinkers in this 1100m race on a colt that is looking for a little further, paid handsome dividends. The result was never in doubt as Normanz bounced enthusiastically without overracing, and led Fly At Em and the well supported Ace Antonius.
That order was retained as they went Into the final 400m, when Normanz strode clear and was eased up to win by a widening 4,25 lengths in a time of 63,50 secs.
Winning jockey Anton Marcus said that without wishing to sound nonchalant, that this very good win was some compensation for the shocking run of War Path in the fillies race earlier.
“ It was a gamble to put the blinkers on. Thank goodness Charles (Laird) had the casting vote as the trainer. Normanz is looking for a bit further and he is a very smart horse. I was waiting for the challenges, but they never came,” he said,
Winning trainer Charles Laird was over the moon:
“ He is a very exciting prospect, but I was concerned with the wind blowing. So I took a chance and ran him in the blinkers.I ideally wouldn’t like to run him again before the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion on 25 May,” he said.
While Scottsville has been known to be a great leveller, both Fly At Em and Vaughan Marshall’s smart debut winner Ace Antonius, will have to start this week if they want to have any chance with Normanz on the Golden Horse Casino Sprint raceday at end May.
The Avontuur Stud bred Normanz is yet another potential star racer by Var .
He was acquired for R650 000 by the Joostes on last year’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1. He is a first foal for his American Chance Argentinian bred dam La Normandie
Looking at his pedigree, the second dam La Sorbonne(CHI)won 3 races in Chile and is related to a host of winners.
As a winner of 2 of his 3 races, with a second on debut, he took his earnings to R153 150.
Make a note of Normanz’ half brother by Trippi (lot 503) on the forthcoming National Yearling Sale.
