Despite the icy Cape winter chill in the air, Grant van Niekerk was red hot at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and the enigmatic talent rounded off an early treble when guiding Kwinta’s Light to victory in the R150 000 Listed Olympic Duel Stakes, to give the Snaith team their fourth winner in the first five races.
The Sporting Post reported earlier in this week that Richard Fourie’s stated quest for national honours, and the fact that he will be travelling far and wide next season, have meant that the powerful Snaith operation have undergone a reconsideration of their jockey needs.
This has opened a door for Grant van Niekerk who looks likely to inherit a lot of the opportunities, with Bernard Fayd’herbe (a terrific double on the day), also on their list of preferred riders.
Grant van Niekerk steers Kwinta’s Light to a facile victory (Pic-Wayne Marks)
Starting at 9-4, Kwinta’s Light skipped clear to beat the improved again Body Electric (20-1) to win by 3 lengths, clocking 76,62 secs for the 1200m.
Gimme’s Lassie (10-1) kept true to the inside rail and ran into third, a length back.
The 18-10 favourite Miss Marguerite was beaten out of the places.
Bred by Syrilla Stud, the winner is a 4yo daughter of champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the five-time winning Kahal mare Kwinta.
A R550 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Kwinta’s Light has won 4 races with 13 places from 21 starts for stakes of R515 638.
She was purchased recently for breeding by Maine Chance, who leased half the racing rights back to loyal Snaith owners Pamela and Neville Isdell.
Enjoy the replay here:
