Bold Inspiration is punched out by Anton Marcus
The Charles Laird-trained Sansui Summer Cup entrant Bold Inspiration produced a workmanlike performance to win the R135 000 Listed Michaelmas Handicap at Greyville on Friday evening. The son of Horse Chestnut has now six of his eight starts and is improving with every test thrown at him.
The Listed Michaelmas Handicap was significant for the fact that it was the first race on turf at Greyville for what feels like an eternity and while there still appear to be problems with the surface, it is heartening to note that one of South Africa’s best track managers in the outspoken Ralph Smoute, is back at his post.
The first six races were run on the polytrack, with the final two being contested on turf.
Marcus had Bold Inspiration relaxed about six lengths off as Vienna Wood showed the way.
Into the home run the field fanned out with chances to a few runners.
Anton Marcus – rode four winners at Greyville
But in a matter of strides Bold Inspiration swept down the outside and grabbed the lead just as Zhivago took off late and charged at him.
The game Zhivago cut the winning margin down to 0,75 lengths as Bold Inspiration changed legs in the final strides and surged for the line.
But the result was not really in doubt in those final stages. Bold Inspiration’s winning time was 118,88 secs.
Outsider Innate Quality stayed on into third, but the second favourite Akii Bua ran a flat race and finished downfield.
The Daytona Stud-bred Bold Inspiration is a son of Horse Chestnut out of the three-time winning Model Man mare, Lantana.
He took his career record to an impressive six wins from eight starts for stakes of R375 625.
He was a bargain R80 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and should have plenty to come for Alesh Naidoo’s Fire Racing Trust.
