Drakenstein Stud bred five of the first six winners on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Sunday card, including two of the three feature events.
Pacaya clearly enjoys teaming up with Richard Fourie (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Described as a ‘notable training feat’ by Drakenstein’s Racing Manager, Kevin Sommerville after Justin Snaith had Pacaya in fine order as the 5yo stormed home late to win the R350 000 Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes, the son of Trippi clearly enjoys Richard Fourie and showed he is back to his best in his second start after the Met.
The winner of the 2023 WSB Gr2 1900 just under a year ago, Pacaya is a genuine quality sort on his day, and gave his all after Vaughan Marshall’s perpetual motion machine Rascallion had carted the field along, and still looked to be in with a shout inside the distance.
But Fourie had other ideas and it was left to the 6-1 Pacaya to draw clear and beat improved again 3yo stablemate Rapidash (8-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 112,47 secs.
Rascallion was all heart as he clung on, much to the joy of PA punters, to run third, and shade the eyecatching Greeting My Master.
Yet another Drakenstein-bred feature winner, Pacaya is raced by The Duke of Richmond Syndicate and is a son of Trippi (End Sweep) out of the top class staying mare Ash Cloud (Black Minnaloushe).
A winner of 6 races with 5 places from 19 starts, the winner has earned R835 213, and will not be contesting the third leg of the Winter Series – if Richard Fourie has anything to do with it.
“He doesn’t stay!” said the winning jockey.
