Sean Cormack drives Door Of Deception home to win the Sophomore (Bay Media)
A professional ride by Sean Cormack put the seal on a memorable day all round for Cape trainer Justin Snaith. The KZN based jockey rode a deceptive cracker on Snaith’s Door Of Deception to win the R150 000 Listed Sophomore Sprint and make it four winners on a day that the Snaith family will be forgiven for having their attention on other matters of the heart.
It was rare not to see Justin Snaith saddling his runners today but the racing community will excuse his absence as he was tying the knot down the road.
And on a day of celebrations, it could not have worked out much better as the team put the cherry on their winning run by dethroning the unbeaten Puller runner Asstar in a thrilling finish to the feature.
Going off at 8 to 1, Door Of Deception was the most experienced runner in the race, but despite admirable consistency, looked to be just a very average place-getter, who would probably play second fiddle to the very fast Asstar.
Door Of Deception showed good early pace but MJ Byleveld sent champion Val De Ra’s full brother Vincente to lead at the halfway mark as Asstar was relaxed a few lengths off the action.
Grant Van Niekerk set Asstar alight and he swept forward at the 300m marker, as Vincente faltered and started going up and down.
Polished ride by the best man – Sean Cormack
But Sean Cormack had been bluffing and he continued plugging away as Door Of Deception kept on doggedly all the way to the line.
Hard as Asstar tried, he had no chance in the end with Door Of Deception, who held on to win by 0,30 lengths in a time of 75,72 secs.
Asstar gave the winner 2kgs and that swung matters in the end. He will pay to follow.
The winner’s stablemate Alpha Pegasi stayed on in third, ahead of the rather disappointing Vincente, who failed to kick and may well have been short of a gallop in view of the lack of track at Milnerton.
Vincente certainly looked a touch on the chubby side – we suggest he be given another chance when he strips fitter next time.
Door Of Deception was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is by Count Dubois out of the five-time winning daughter of Captain Al, Girl In Every Port, who was trained by Justin Snaith.
Bernard Kantor’s colt has won 2 of 8 starts with 5 places and R201 225 in stakes.
Brett Crawford’s Gr2 Selangor Cup winner De Kock made a winning return to action on Saturday after 37 weeks off the track when he stormed clear to win the MR 96 Handicap run over 1000m.
The Wilgerbosdrift owned son of Dynasty conquered Legislate last summer and has not seen action since an unplaced run in the Cape Guineas.
He looks set for a big summer season and is one for the Sizzling Summer notebook.
