Paarl-based trainer Glen Kotzen made it two victories in three years in the R150 000 Listed Racing Association Stakes, run at Fairview on Friday.
His good-looking Trippi colt Gold Standard produced a cracking finish under Craig Zackey, to catch fellow Capetonian I Travel Light, who looked home and hosed inside the distance.
Craig Zackey has Gold Standard flying as Story Of My Life (JP van der Merwe) stops late for third cheque (Pic-Coastal Photos)
The Woodhill Racing Team have enjoyed plenty of success in the Eastern Cape over the years and even with their satellite base in the region no longer in operation, they have shown no fear of travelling, reaping the rich rewards in the process.
The Hattingh family’s win with Gold Standard would no doubt also have been particularly pleasing for Glen and Kathi.
The victor is owned by Suzanne Hattingh’s Chrigor Stud Pty Ltd – and many will recall the Kotzen’s smart 2014 winner of this 3yo feature, Light The Lights, who raced for her husband Hugo’s Tripple H Trust.
Flashback to Light The Lights’ 2014 win in this event under Greg Cheyne
Light The Lights went on to win the 2016 Gr2 Peninsula Handicap, before a fourth in the J&B Met, and then being sold for export with Mike de Kock to Dubai.
The connections will be harbouring similar aspirations for Gold Standard, who ran on with resolution and courage from some way back, off a muddling pace that would have dashed the hopes of the Joey Ramsden challenger, I Travel Light.
With Story Of My Life going to lead from I Travel Light and the jockeys holding on for dear life, Greg Cheyne took Green Lantern round his field at the 1000m and tracked Story Of My Life into the home straight.
Magic Lantern came forward nicely at the 350m with Gold Standard looking under a margin of pressure some five lengths away.
Craig Zackey – full credit for maintaining his balance and a cool head
I Travel Light slipped through down the inside and looked to be going on smartly – but Craig Zackey saw that he had half a hope of winning and got Gold Standard to fly.
The son of Trippi rallied under a beautifully balanced ride and got up in the shadow of the post to catch the long-striding I Travel Light and win by 0,25 lengths in a time of 98,19 secs.
Such was the winner’s momentum that the victory margin looked to be little more than a head in real time!
I Travel Light took his time to get going in the run for glory and would definitely not have enjoyed the mixed pace – he is a horse to watch.
Story Of My Life was there for a long way and only tired late to hold on for third, a further 0,75 lengths back.
Glen Kotzen – has a nice sort on his hands
Local two-time winner Green Lantern was 1,25 lengths away in fourth, after leading in the home straight.
A R725 000 buy by Glen Kotzen Racing off the 2015 Val De Vie Yearling Sale, Gold Standard was bred by Carl and Amanda de Vos.
The 3yo colt is by SA champion sire Trippi out of the Model Man mare Olympic Dam, who is a half-sister to Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Flying Duel.
A winner of 2 of his 4 starts with 2 places, Gold Standard took his standard career earnings to R159 372 – and banked the BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus of R77 500 over and above that.
Justin Snaith and Aldo Domeyer were the day’s hottest combination, with a hat-trick of wins that included a great fourth consecutive win for the Jallad 7yo Villa De Largo in the non black-type Cradock Place Stakes.
