Local trainer Cliffie Miller and his regular rider Marco van Rensburg got their new season off to a flying start at Flamingo Park on Saturday when they registered a R200 000 RA Flamingo Mile double with the tough as nails Latino Magic 7yo Dodgy Itie.
In a competitive field that included a good few younger talents, Dodgy Itie looked had-pressed to register the double. Having only his second run after an eight month break, he found his best form.
Settled in third two lengths off the pace in a race where 20 lengths separated first to last, Dodgy Itie was in the slipstream of Red Special and Just Ask Me.
Marco van Rensburg sent the 9-1 Dodgy Itie for home at the 350m marker and his move was well-timed as the gelding drew clear to hold off the consistent Ahead Of Traffic by 2,50 lengths in a time of 98.38 secs.
The equally consistent Notacademicatall plodded for third, with pacy topweight and 2017/18 Horse Of The Year, Red Special, running fourth.
A tired bunch followed in a drawn out field after that.
A winner of 7 races with 14 places from his 28 starts, Dodgy Itie took his stakes earnings to R546 450.
Bed by Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud, Dodgy Itie is a son of Latino Magic (Lion Cavern) out of the speedy five-time winner, Supa Dodge (Super Magic). The dam was trained by Greg Ennion and hails from the famous ‘Corn’ family.
Dodgy Itie was offered on the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2 but was bought back for R20 000. He went through the ring at the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, when consigned by Balmoral Stud. He was bought by Gavin Almanza for R45 000.
