South Africa’s highest-rated galloper and a four-time Gr1 winner and dual Equus champion, Justin Snaith’s 5yo entire Jet Dark stamped his class with a smooth victory in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Cape Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on his season debut.
A winner of the Gr1 HKJC World Pools Champions Cup at his last start on 30 July, Jet Dark (8-10) always looked the right horse and he duly produced a polished performance, unleashing a powerful finish from midfield to collar the far fitter Silver Operator (9-4) late in the race to win going away by 1,75 lengths in a time of 96,81 secs.
Jet Dark and Richard Fourie fire up to storm clear as Grant van Niekerk gives Silver Operator his all (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A boardroom runner-up in the Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes at his last start, Silver Operator looked dangerous down the inside rail, but hung in late and had no answers to the big gun.
Returning from a break of 78 weeks, Golden Ducat (25-1) stayed on nicely a further length back, with the very accomplished Rascallion (17-2) a further 0,20 lengths back in fourth.
The Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie crowned a great day with his fourth winner and was his typically cool self.
“He’s only at 80% fitness. Just wait until we get to the Kenilworth summer course long straight. Then I can let him unwind! He has been doing so well and when he gets really difficult at home we know he is well,” he added.
Trainer Justin Snaith will be well pleased with a great day at the office.
“I am getting more and more nervous as his career progresses – he was the unlucky horse of last season. He is turning into an impressive individual as you can see. I could have won every race on the card today – but this was the one that counted,” he laughed.
Chris Snaith makes a point as Richard Fourie watches the podium (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Bred by Drakenstein Stud, the Justin Snaith trained Jet Dark has now won eight of 17 starts with 6 places for earnings of R4 320 350.
A Drakenstein-bred son of End Sweep champion Trippi, Jet Dark, who is out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare Night Jet, was a R200 000 buy from the 2019 National Yearling Sale.
He looks well set for a serious treble bid for the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 7 January.
Watch the race replay here:
