Jason Gates gets the best out of Canadian Summer, as Rock The Fox (Calvin Habib) and fourth-placed Hold My Hand (Grant van Niekerk) add to the fun and games (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In another desperately close finish, the R500 000 Gr1 Thekwini Stakes went to the judge for an extended decision after Canadian Summer and Rock The Fox went to the line as one horse.
With Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy threatening to produce another feature success in the shape of the forward galloping Bless My Stars, who looked a winner late, the pincer attack of Canadian Summer and Rock The Fox swooped from both sides to produce a thriller.
With Canadian Summer getting the decision, despite the flying Rock The Fox being called by Eagle Eye Craig Peters, the race evolved into an emotional moment for Gr1 maidens Preggie Somasundram, Jason Gates and 33 year old trainer Darryl Moore.
Now a dual stakes winner, Canadian Summer (10-1) won in a time of 96,79 secs.
How close was this! Canadian Summer (winner) is the top horse
Runner-up Rock The Fox continued the terrific ‘freshman’ season of her sire Canford Cliffs.
Raced by Preggie Somasundram, the winner, an R80 000 2021 BSA August 2yo Sale graduate, was bred by Oldlands Stud and is a ninth Gr1 winner for Oratorio (Danehill) out of the two time winning Silvano mare Autumn Splendour.
Canadian Summer has now won 3 races with 2 places from 5 starts for stakes of R585 750.
He joins Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Military Attack and the likes of Banchee, Beethoven, Biz The Nurse, Manawanui, Mourinho,Temida and top sprinter Van Halen as Gr1 winners sired by Oratorio.
Twice a Leading Sire in Italy, Oratorio has a single lot on offer at the 2022 August Two Year Old Sale.
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