Justin Snaith champion racer, and a filly described earlier this week as the best racehorse in South Africa, Captain’s Ransom will be rested for the Cape Summer Season after a below-par effort in the R1 million Brentford FC Gr1 Garden Province Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The high-class daughter of Captain Al was never in the hunt after starting a much trumped banker on the big day, as Gareth van Zyl’s She’s A Keeper powered home.
Jonathan Snaith told the Sporting Post that the star will be rested.
Warren Kennedy steers She’s A Keeper to a first Gr1 victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“Suzette and Basie Viljoen have agreed to give her a well deserved rest before the Cape Summer Season. She’ll be back,” said Jonathan after explaining that the 4yo was one of a few runners to become fractious after the on-course fireworks on what was a spectacular day of racing.
“Justin sent her back into the saddling boxes to try calm her. To be fair she was not the only horse who was affected by the fireworks. She then seemed unsettled in the race, fighting her rider. Off a very slow pace she had to loop the field from last and she never quickened off the slow tempo. She’s had a brilliant season having won 5 of her 6 starts and we’re gutted she couldn’t make it a perfect season for her fans and punters. She’s done more than we could ever have asked of her and she’s a superstar who had an off day,” explained Jonathan.
So while a multitude of tickets were despatched to the trash bins, Gareth van Zyl and his connections celebrated a first Gr1 success for the Gimmethegreenlight filly She’s A Keeper who kept galloping resolutely under SA Champion in waiting to hold off the late challenge of Hollywoodbets Durban July discard Marina (40-1) by 2 lengths in a time of 97,76 secs.
Silver Darling (20-1) edged out her 4-10 stablemate Captain’s Ransom in an exotic bet knockout.
The winner was bred by the Missing U Syndicate and is a daughter of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Trippi mare, Gold Trip.
She’s A Keeper has won 8 races with 3 places from 16 starts and stakes of R1 340 925.
