The Justin Snaith trained Ovidio is one of the fastest improving gallopers in a discipline that generally lacks serious depth in South Africa. The Australian bred son of Danehill Dancer made it four successive wins when staying on best to win a pace bedevilled R150 000 Listed Woolavington Handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Sean Cormack produces Ovidio at the right moment to record his fourth win on the trot (Pic: Wayne Marks)
Ovidio was superbly ridden by Sean Cormack at the 5yo gelding’s first attempt at 2400m, and his superior toe stood him in good stead when the staying contest turned into a sprint for home.
Lucian Africa on the pacemaking Prvate Doowaley had steadied the pace up quite dramatically at the 1400m and his move saw a knock on effect of frustration ripple right through the ten horse field down to the backmarkers, Deputy Ryder and Desert Swirl.
This initiated a frustrated loop-the-field move by Bernard Fayd’herbe who took the filly Deputy Ryder around the outside to hit the front at about the 900m marker. Not to be outdone, MY Byleveld, who is riding particularly well at the moment, followed suit on Desert Swirl.
Into the home run, the whip was quickly drawn on Deputy Ryder, as Fayd’herbe’s bold move appear to have failed. But the same could not be said for the tough-as-nails Desert Swirl, who kept plugging on down the outside as the challenges came.
At the 200m marker he appeared to have a chance of holding on, but Cormack had Ovidio in full cry and the gelding cut between his stablemate Arezzo and Desert Swirl to get up and win by 1,25 lengths in a time of 149,99 secs.
It was a happy return to form for Desert Swirl, while Friendly Tibbs ran on nicely late to edge Arezzo for third.
Deputy Ryder ran stone last in a forgettable race – just behind the half-baked pacesetter, Private Doowaley.
Ovidio’s win rounded a double for Cormack and Justin Snaith, who trained three winners on the day.
Sean Cormack – double on the day
Ovidio was purchased by James Bester Bloodstock for A$ 30897 at the Inglis Bloodstock 2012 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
He is a son of Danehill Dancer out the Red Ransom mare, Pre Nup – who was out of De Beauvoir.
Pre Nup won once and ran two places from 12 starts.
Ovidio has won 5 races with 8 places from 15 starts for stakes of R332 825.
He will pay to follow in the Cape Summer of Champions staying features.
