Runaway Train! Uncle Tommy (Wes Marwing) is well clear of his opposition to win the RA Flamingo Park Mile (JC Photos)
Weiho Marwing’s smart Kahal gelding Uncle Tommy signalled his serious Emerald Cup aspirations with a runaway win in Saturday’s R200 000 RA Flamingo Park Mile. The chestnut was no slouch as a turf sprinter, but has proven an absolute revelation on the sand.
The winner of this race is guaranteed a run in the traditional Emerald Cup prep, the August Stakes run at the end of this month.
A field of thirteen went to post, with some powerful raiders in the attack.
Kingofmountain led early from Newton Power, with Uncle Tommy and Kapelmeister further back.
Turning for home Kingofmountain made his move as Wes Marwing moved Uncle Tommy up the centre.
In a matter of strides Uncle Tommy catapulted clear and he extended all the way to the line to win by nine lengths in a time of 97,89 secs.
Kingofmountain stayed on nicely for second, while the consistent Code Red gave part owner Paul Barrett a tasty sweetner for his feature win with Mr Vindaloo in the very next race.
Uncle Tommy’s victory made it a momentous family occasion for the Marwings, as leading senior jockey Weichong was on course to watch his son Wesley Marwing win on a horse, who is trained by Uncle Weiho.
Bred by Summerhill Stud, Uncle Tommy is by Kahal out of the prolific one time winning Badger Land mare, Cousin Linda. That makes him a half brother to the brilliant sprinter and exciting new sire, Rebel King.
Originally a R2,4 million National Yearling Sale graduate, Uncle Tommy was sold out of the estate of the late tycoon and leading owner and breeder, Graham Beck.
His current owner Hassen Adams went to R170 000 to acquire Uncle Tommy on the Graham Beck Dispersal Sale in January 2011, when he was just a maiden winner.
The son of Kahal had always been something of a talking horse when trained by Mike Bass and then Darryl Hodgson, and he has subsequently won a further eight races for Hassen Adams.
A winner of 9 of his 34 starts with 12 places, Uncle Tommy has relished the switch to sand, where he has registered four wins from six starts.
He took his stakes earnings with this win to R669 515.
The Emerald Cup looks well within his sights.
