The Ridgemont Highlands’ team’s dream run in the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Racing Festival continued at a sun-drenched Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the champion nursery’s homebred Make It Snappy, a daughter of the outstanding Dynasty, made it a glorious Grade 1 back-to-back strike with an eyecatching victory in the Cartier Paddock Stakes.
Just a month ago Make It Snappy had pulverized a high-class field of her contemporaries to win the WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas.
Luyola Mxothwa drives Make It Snappy home ahead of a courageous Captain’s Ransom (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Over 200m further on Saturday, she delivered much the same kind of dazzling performance – except this time beating her illustrious elders, including reigning SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom, as well as 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July heroine Sparkling Water and SA Triple Tiara princess, Rain In Holland.
Ridden by regular pilot Luyola Mxothwa, Make It Snappy did things the way she loves –out front with her enormous elastic stride and dictating matters – before kicking on again to thwart a late challenge from the highly accomplished Captain’s Ransom.
This was Make It Snappy’s fourth win – including three features – from her five starts, and she is proudly being hailed in the top echelon of 3yo fillies in South Africa this term.
“Make It Snappy really is an exciting prospect. When she cantered to post for the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes on Saturday, she gave me goosebumps. The way she came back was equally impressive and there were some serious big hitters behind her! She ticks all the boxes and has a very bright future. It’s a privilege and pleasure for us to race these high calibre Ridgemont Highlands bred horses and to be competitive at the elite level,” added Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager Anthony Delpech, a former champion jockey who has been associated with top horses across the globe.
Happy day! James Rich, Devin Heffer, Anthony Delpech and Brooklyn Delpech on their way to the winner’s enclosure (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
For the powerful Ridgemont Highlands team it has been a summer to remember – and it’s not over yet.
The Robertson nursery of champions have produced a galaxy of stars from breeding best-to-best with quality international and local bloodlines and are now reaping the rewards. In a month, they have celebrated a dual Gr1 winner and a top two finish in the R400 000 Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap, all products of their iconic late champion, Dynasty.
“Grade 1 achievement is the benchmark of excellence by which the Ridgemont Highlands team is measured and we are proud and thrilled to have shouted Make It Snappy home on what is one of the great racing days on the South African calendar. The enormous legacy left by Dynasty in the lovely fillies and mares that the farm still owns has been underscored once again. We congratulate the Hollywood Syndicate and it’s a true privilege to join hands with likeminded passionate racing folk in a quest to win the big ones,” said Ridgemont’s Craig Carey.
Make It Snappy is a supplementary entry for the WSB Cape Town Met.
Ridgemont Highlands present a high-quality twelve strong draft at tomorrow’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
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