While once considered a classic prospect, the very capable Mr Master Starter maintained his unbeaten status over the sprints when he turned it on late to win the R120 000 Ethekwini Sprint at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Now a winner of 5 of his 10 starts, the 3yo gelding was switched off early in the 1200m polytrack contest as Joburg visitor Danilo Danilovitch broke land speed records out front.
Keagan de Melo and Mr Master Starter grab the Sunday headliner (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Despite having some ground to make up at the 300m in a race that included a Gr1 winner, Keagan de Melo – aboard at all the gelding’s victories – didn’t panic and sent the Dean Kannemeyer charge after the leaders with minimal time left.
In a matter of strides Mr Master Starter (28-10 tote favourite) showed his class as he grabbed Snaith filly Kwinta’s Light (4-1) and went on powerfully to win by 0,70 lengths in a time of 69,92 secs.
The lesser fancied of the Vaughan Marshall coupling, Safe Return (10-1) stayed on best of the rest for third, a further 0,90 lengths adrift.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer thanked his owners Bryan Airey, Bruce Armstrong, ‘Naughty’ Govender, Clayton Vetter and Marsh Shirtliff and conceded that it had probably been a mistake to have run the strapping gelding in the Cape Guineas late last year.
He also saluted the sponsors.
A R525 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Mr Master Starter is unbeaten over the sprints and has won 5 of his 10 starts with 2 places and stakes of R310 350.
A son of the supremely versatile Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate, the winner was bred by Varsfontein Stud from the Captain Al mare, Wild Liaison.
Watch the replay here:
Racing continues at the same venue on Monday – start time is 12h20.
