The 2017 Charity Mile runner-up Social Order registered his last victory exactly a year ago to the day on Sunday, but made amends in style with a gutsy performance to win the R250 000 at his first start in KZN.
Lyle Hewitson drives Social Order through to hold Platinum Prince (Grant van Niekerk) and It’s My Turn (Anthony Delpech) in a thriller (Pic – Candiese Marnewick/ Gold Circle)
Assistant trainer Lorenzo Karriem was marking his first feature success for his new boss Sean Tarry, but conceded that he could take little credit as the gelding, who Hollywood priced up at 100-1 in the Vodacom Durban July ante-post market, had arrived at Summerveld just 24 hours before the race.
With the field reduced to nine runners on the withdrawal of Redcarpet Captain, the pacemaking duties were taken up by Captain America’s full-brother Redeemer, who was bidding for his fourth straight win on what was expected to be a road to better things.
But carrying a handy galloping weight of 52 kgs, there was no fight left iin Redeemer at the 300m as Snaith’s first SA Champions Season runner Platinum Prince unwound a powerful run, with Social Order and Gr1 winner It’s My Turn looking dangerous.
In a drive to the wire, SA Champion apprentice Lyle Hewitson rode a commanding finish to get the best out of the 9-2 Social Order to give Sean Tarry his third success in four runnings of the Kings Cup. He won by a neck in a time of 96,51 secs.
Lyle Hewitson – another smart ride
Coming off a rest of 11 weeks since his Peninsula Handicap third, it was a cracking effort by Platinum Prince, who is in the care of Tony Rivalland.
Dean Kannemeyer was thrilled with the effort in third by Gr1 Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn, who loomed dangerously late, but tired at his second run after a rest.
Jockey Lyle Hewitson said that he had gotten to know Social Order and said he was a progressive and capable sort who could go on.
The 5-2 favourite Redeemer had every chance but faded to run fifth and 3,15 lengths off the winner.
Bred by Boland Stud, Social Order is a 4yo gelded son of Count Dubois (Zafonic) out of the four-time winner Dancette (Dancing Duel).
Racing in the silks of Bernard Kantor and Chris van Niekerk, Social Order has won 3 races with 6 places from 12 starts for stakes of R542 975.
Sean Veale was the day’s most successful rider with three winners.
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Gr3 Kings Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, March 25, R250k, 1600m, turf, soft, 1.36.51
1 – SOCIAL ORDER (SAF), 54.5, b g 4, Count Dubois (GB) – Dancette (SAF) by Dancing Duel (SAF). Owner Messrs B Kantor & C J H van Niekerk; Breeder Boland Stud; trainer SG Tarry; jockey L Hewitson
2 – Platinum Prince (SAF), 54.0, b g 4, Silvano (GER) – Spirit Ofthe Dance (SAF) by Goldmark (SAF)
3 – It’s My Turn (SAF), 58.0, b g 5, Dynasty (SAF) – Jallad’s Queen (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
Margins: 0.15, 0.25, 2.25
