Doing It For Dan is an easy winner under Anthony Delpech (Pic: JC Photos)
There was plenty of raw emotion coupled with a satisfying sense of mission accomplished for Louis Goosen when he unsaddled the progressive Doing It For Dan after a scintillating win in the R150 000 Listed Golden Loom Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday.
Goosen was winning the race for the second year in succession after his currently Cape-based star speedster Trip Tease had done the honours for the team in 2014.
It was quite a week for Louis. On Tuesday he and Trip Tease were surfing on the Cape West Coast in the magic Melkbosstrand surf on one of the hottest days of 2015 so far. Trip Tease is one of five Goosen horses stabled at Harold Crawford in Milnerton and steps up his Cape Flying Championship assault in late November.
Om Saturday the Goose was standing in the less scenic environs of Turffontein – no surf, just plenty of turf – and an emerging sprinter called Doing It For Dan who ran whose lungs out in a race close to his trainer’s heart.
Allowed to settle some 8 lengths off the gallop by Anthony Delpech, Doing It For Dan charged home late and won going away by 1,25 lengths in a time of 56,27 secs.
The talented Dom Zaki fireball Bad Boy Buddy Boy and the speedy Mod Barley were left floundering.
Louis Goosen – plenty of emotion
A 4yo son of Windrush, Doing It For Dan was astutely bought for a dirt cheap R100 000 – and is just getting better with every outing and maturing into a top horse – his earnings now stand at R702 825.
“Fair enough, his winning time was not near that of Trip Tease’ last year, but he won well – and top jockey Anthony Delpech gave him the thumbs up – he rates him,” said an emotional Goosen.
The Golden Loom Handicap is named in honour of the 22 time winner, nicknamed ‘Goofy’ who was a star for the Abrosie family and the late Buddy Maroun – a master conditioner of sprinters.
The late Buddy was a longtime friend of Louis and the friendship grew from 1996 onwards once Louis moved his string to Randjesfontein. There, Buddy became a mentor.
His untimely death on 18 February 2008, whilst in Argentina, left Louis devastated.
“Buddy can never be replaced and winning this race again means a helluva lot to me. This time we did it for Anthony Maroun, Buddy’s brother and also for Anthony’s son Kaden. Anthony Delpech rode Dan to perfection, content to sit several lengths of the pace and then produce a pounding finish to win going away. He was bred by Highlands Stud, whose produce always do so very well and especially for us in terms of percentages. Our thanks to the Maroun family for their valuable support and congrats to our super team at home,” said Louis on Saturday evening.
His other two runners in the race were not disgraced.
One Man’s Dream ran a cracker in his final prep for the Joburg Merchants, while recent Flamingo Sprint winner Varbration may not be up to class, but ran a fair race.
Doing It For Dan is a son of Windrush out of the Mt Livermore mare, Wrapped In Clover.
He was purchased for R100 000 on the 2013 Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale and registered his eighth win with ten places from 20 starts. His gross stakes earned edged up to R702 625.
