A phone call from Sally Bruss of Lammerskraal after the 2016 Cape Ready To Run Sale at Durbanviille saw leading owner Hedley McGrath pick up one of the bargain buys in his long association with the game.
An easy win for Widow’s Lamp and Lyle Hewitson in the Oaks (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
“Sally (Bruss nee Jourdan) phoned me after the sale. She didn’t get a bid for Widow’s Lamp and said I could have her for R50 000. She said I couldn’t go wrong at the price. On Friday this smart 3yo registered her first stakes success and took her stakes tally to over R360 000. Let’s say it was a good call from a top breeder – and I’m glad I listened !” said a thrilled Hedley McGrath after the daughter of Go Deputy had powered to victory in the R150 000 Listed East Cape Oaks at Fairview on Friday.
Regular pilot Lyle Hewitson rode a confident race in the 2000m feature, relaxing 15 lengths back at the rear on Widow’s Lamp as Joking Dice went hell for leather out front.
Lyle Hewitson – edging ever closer to the top of the log
At the 450m Hewitson started weaving his way through the fading front-runners and Deputy’s Lamp came home smoothly to score by 2,25 lengths in a time of 124,62 secs.
This was the second leg of a double for Yvette Bremner and Lyle Hewitson and took the Avontuur-sponsored apprentice to within 17 wins of the log-leading Anthony Delpech.
The favourite Queen Forever stayed on for second but had every chance and was simply not good enough.
Her stablemate Searching was length back in third, with Cape challenger Esteemal being left with too much to do and well beaten in fourth.
Widow’s Lamp has only failed to earn at two starts and has won 5 races with 7 places from 14 starts and stakes of R363 250.
A daughter of Go Deputy (Deputy Minister), she is a first foal of the four-time winning Western Winter mare, Idatorod. The latter is a half sister to the talented performers Juan Two Three (who scored his 9th win from 18 starts at Fairview on Friday), Generalissimo and the exported Counter Ridge.
Yvette Bremner – promising 3yo filly on her hands
The Bremner team are considering the possibilities of a raid on the SA Champions Season features and Widow’s Lamp looks capable of holding her own in the peak season.
Trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Greg Cheyne maintained their good run of form with a hat-trick on the afternoon.
