Double For The Countess

Kinematic Countess wins the Sycamore for the second year running as Mary Stuart holds on for second (JC Photos)

Trainer Roy Magner produced the Count Dubois mare Kinematic Countess in an enthusiastic mood as she swept aside her mostly younger opposition to win the R250 000 Gr3 Sycamore Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday for the second year in a row. S’manga Khumalo rode a confident race as he produced his mount from off the pace.

This was Kinematic Countess’ second win in the Sycamore Sprint, after going unplaced behind Extra Zero in 2012. It is also only the second time that she has won over further than 1000m in 8 victories.

Which in itself seems strange, as she is a sprinter who enjoys being switched off and then turning it on late. One would imagine she would go 1200m, but versatile she certainly is, having won four times on sand. Blinkers also did not help her when tried,

She should make a great broodmare for her new owners Maine Chance Farms with this second dollop of black type doing no harm to her paddock aspirations.

Stan Ferreira’s Winter Passion was slow out as Mary Stuart led Samba Serenade and Virgo’s Babe.

Into the final 400m Virgo’s Babe moved up on the wide outside and went on strongly as Khumalo angled Kinematic Countess through the middle.

Trainer Roy Magner was thrilled with the win

At the 200m it was apparent that the Magner mare had them beaten and she ran on well to beat Mary Stuart by a half length in a time of 65,99 secs.

Virgo’s Babe who had loomed so dangerously down the outside stayed on for third, with the KZN visitor Choir Maiden never getting into it and running a modest fourth.

The favourite Dolomiti ran right downfield and never showed.

Jockey S’manga Khumalo said afterwards that once Kinematic Countess had kicked, ‘there was nothing to go with her’. He added that she loved the 1160m distance.

Trainer Roy Magner said that he was pleased and appreciative of the fact that Maine Chance Farms had left Kinematic Countess in his care after they had bought her.

“She is such a pleasure and will be a lovely broodmare,’ he said.

He added that he hoped to keep her in training for a few more runs, although the arrangement appears that she will go to stud at the end of this season.

A R115 000 Ready To Run graduate, Kinematic Countess was bred by Pierre Du Toit, and is by Count Dubois out of the lightning fast seven time winning National Emblem mare, National Navigator, who was trained in her racing career by Doug Campbell.

She has won 8 of her 43 races for 22 places. Her stake earnings now total R934 250.

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