Told you! MJ Byleveld makes a point as Desert Swirl bounds in to win the Woolavington (Bay Media)
The Vaughan Marshall yard bounced back from a quiet Friday in Port Elizabeth when they saddled the top two finishers in the R150 000 Listed Woolavington Handicap run over 2400m at Kenilworth on Saturday.The East Cape Derby winner Desert Swirl showed that he stays all day, much like an unwelcome relative, when he powered through late to nab his well-travelled companion, Gothic.
After a slow start to his racing career, Desert Swirl continues to confound the sceptics and made short work of a decent field for a convincing win that suggests he could make his mark this summer in the staying events.
Regular jockey MJ Byleveld could not contain his glee as Desert Swirl rocketed home and saluted the grandstand as if he had just won the Melbourne Cup.
Byleveld parked Desert Swirl at the rear as Surruptitious carted them along at a good gallop from Manx Missile and Dynasty’s Pride, with Gotic and Coltrane in touch.
The race turned into a charge at the top of the home straight with Coltrane and Gothic unleashing strong runs.
But none had more energy in reserve than the game Desert Swirl and he belted home as Gothic dug deep down the inside.
But it was no race in the end and Desert Swirl drew off to win convincingly by 1,25 lengths in a time of 150,49 secs.
Gothic stayed on well again but seems resigned to retire a two-time winner at the rate he is going.
The winning son of Second Empire was bred by trainer Vaughan Marshall and is out of the once-winning Sportsworld mare, Desert Sport.
He took his career earnings to R541 250 at his fifteenth start, with 5 wins and 6 places into the bargain.
