In a dramatic finish in front of an excited crowd at a buzzing Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, the R2 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met was fought out by two swansong stars, with Snaith hero Jet Dark pipping the gallant defending champion Kommetdieding in the shadow of the post.
What a race! in a thrilling finish to the Cape flagship, Gavin Lerena and defending champion Kommetdieding looked to have done enough, and were being hailed the winners.
But Richard Fourie had other ideas and determined to register his first victory in the prestigious race after four seconds, he unleashed Jet Dark with a menacing run up the wide outside.
So close! Gavin Lerena glances across as Kommetdieding goes down narrowly to a flying Jet Dark (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In a matter of strides, Jet Dark capped a historic occasion as two top athletes destined for stud paid tribute to their fans by providing a thrilling climax to their individual illustrious careers.
At the line, with only two lengths separating the top six horses home, Jet Dark (4-1) finished like an express train to pip the gallant Kommetdieding (8-1) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 123,44 secs and make it five Gr1 successes.
Uncharacteristically dropped out to last, the enigmatic former Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power (66-1) finished with an enthusiastic rattle to bank third cheque, with Nexus (66-1) capping a 1-3-4 finish for the victorious Snaith team in their second Met victory.
The smart 3yo Cousin Casey ran his heart out, but could only finish fifth and will probably be back for a better effort next year.
Richard Fourie is all smiles after his maiden Met success (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A delighted Richard Fourie, who was thrilled to register an overdue Met win, said that he ‘was never confident’.
“It was a slow-run race. Jet Dark jumped a patch and lost a bit of momentum. He took me to the rail. We got bumped a few times. But he got there. Well done to everyone!” he said.
Justin Snaith labelled Jet Dark ‘beautiful, elegant, magnificent.’
“He’s a winner on the track and in our hearts. Thanks to Gaynor (Rupert) for bringing in horses like Trippi. Jet Dark is off to stud. What a pity to lose him, but he deserves it and I have no doubt he will make us all proud,” added the Cape champion trainer.
In a magnanimous sporting gesture, Jet Dark part owner Tommy Crowe acknowledged the runner-up Kommetdieding.
Candiese Lenferna captured Jet Dark (pink cap) taking off late down the outside (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A R200 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, Jet Dark is by Drakenstein Stud’s longstanding champion producer Trippi (End Sweep) and was bred by the champion farm out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare Night Jet, a half-sister to Thukela Handicap winner Brown Penny and Gr1 Mercury Sprint runner-up Night Trip (Trippi).
Jet Dark has now won 9 races (five Gr1’s, as we pointed out) with 7 places from 19 starts and took his stakes bank to R5 697 850.
The Pick 6 paid a massive R644 153.
Watch the WSB Met replay here:
