Warren Kennedy salutes as Forries Waltz finishes powerfully to win the Gatecrasher Stakes
Dubai bound Forries Waltz confirmed Mike De Kock’s belief in his ability when he retained his unbeaten record to beat a smart field in the R135 000 Listed Gatecrasher Stakes run over 1450m at Clairwood on Saturday. His trainer owns him in partnership with Chris Gerber, and they could have some fun with him as he pursues an international career.
Forries Waltz had won a fortnight earlier in open company over a mile at Scottsville and he had swooped late there to beat a modest field of his elders.
That race had elicited some scathing comments from De Kock, who bemoaned the fact that the programme for races over a bit of ground for 2yo’s was ‘a disgrace’.
This feature was thus expected to be on the short side for Forries Waltz and there was plenty of interest in his stablemate, Kingmambo’s Legacy, who had won impressively on debut and was the ride of Anthony Delpech.
The thirteen strong field was despatched evenly and Sean Cormack bounced The Real Hero into a quick advantage as he led Nisa’s Machine into the straight, with Easy Lover and Forries Waltz further back.
The obviously smart Nisa’s Machine never stopped galloping as Kennedy sent Forries Waltz down the centre and he went on well to score by a half length in a time of 87,23 secs.
Kevin Shea got Easy Lover to rally smartly and he hung on for second ahead of the dead heating pair of the maiden Nisa’s Machine and Cape challenger, Man From Milan. The final strides got very tight between the dead heaters but jockey MJ Byleveld’s theatrics led to nothing.
Kingmambo’s Legacy never squeaked and ran downfield.
The Wicklow Stud bred Forries Waltz is now unbeaten in three starts and took his earnings to R170 000.
He is a son of Greys Inn out of the Rich Man’s Gold mare, Rose Of Tralee.
He should be at his best at around 2000m and it is interesting that De Kock has opted to include him in the travelling party for Dubai.
