Justin Snaith’s smashing Frankel colt General Franco came out and annihilated his opposition on an eventful day at Kenilworth on Tuesday.
The R4 million Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate was expected to find the 1000m on the short side. But after seeming to be outpaced early on he saw daylight at the 400m and stormed home.
General Franco cruises in under Richard Fourie (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The winner’s dam Pale Moon Rising is Irish bred, and has already produced a couple of winners in the UK – both by Galileo
“He surprised me. It’s not easy to win first time and over a distance short of what should be his best. I’d love to see him over the mile,” quipped jockey Richard Fourie after earning his easiest commission of the month.
Racing for Jack Mitchell and his daughter Nancy Hossack, General Franco could really not have been more impressive and may now be put on the shelf for the Cape Summer Season and a possible crack at the Cape Guineas in December.
Jonathan Snaith was on duty and said that the colt had gone shin-sore prior to his planned debut in the Listed baby feature on Met day.
“He shows good speed at home but he is a mile to 2000m horse. Well done to Klawervlei. John Freeman was adamant that this was the one he wanted. Jack Mitchell had to go the extra mile to get him. We are not really that comfortable to pay these sort of prices with stakes as they currently are,” he added soberly.
Jonathan Snaith, John Freeman and Chris Snaith at the General Franco lead-in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
John Freeman, who purchased the chestnut on behalf of Jack Mitchell, paid compliments to the Snaiths and Richard Fourie who looked after the youngster ‘as his owner would have wanted him to’.
“I cant take a helluva lot of credit for buying him – he wasn’t that hard to choose,” said Freeman who congratulated the breeders and said that it was exciting to watch a Frankel youngster win in South Africa.
On a sombre note, there were two accidents at Kenilworth – and thankfully in both cases the horses involved seem to be okay.
However, sadly jockeys S’manga Khumalo and Aldo Domeyer are believed to have been taken to Vincent Pallotti hospital for further examination.
In the second race, the Stipes reported that:
Approaching the 50m IBRA (S Khumalo) took an awkward incomplete stride for no apparent reason and both front legs folded underneath, which resulted in the filly falling and the rider was dislodged. AYE AYE (B Fayd’Herbe), which was following took evasive action to avoid the fallen horse and rider losing all momentum. CROSSCOURT (CROSS COURT) (L Mxothwa) was forced to switch outwards away from the fallen horse. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine IBRA and submit a report. The paramedics attended to Jockey S Khumalo who was transported by ambulance to a hospital. In view of the Veterinary Surgeon’s report, Trainer J Ramsden will be advised that this filly is suspended indefinitely in terms of Rule 93.1, and until a full Veterinary report is submitted to the satisfaction of the Board.
In the sixth race, the Stipes reported that:
An Inquiry will be held into the reason why AFTER GLOW (A Domeyer) fell and dislodged the rider at about the 150m. Jockey A Domeyer was attended to by the paramedics.
Ed –
We were able to ascertain from a family member of Aldo Domeyer that he is in a lot of pain and there may well be a fracture in his back. But he is required to undergo further medical tests. No further information was available.
Tabnews reported as follows on S’manga Khumalo – “He had slurred speech, felt drowsy, a headache and neck pain. He also reported a thumb injury. He was sent to hospital for x-rays and further examination” said Kenilworth on-course medical officer Dr Godwin Carelse.
