Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Irish Flame too hot to handle

David Thiselton
The Mike de Kock magic was on display at Greyville yesterday as his horses Irish Flame and Bold Silvano, ridden by Kevin Shea and Anthony Delpech respectively, ran one-two in the Grade 1 R1 million Daily News 2000.
The hotpot favourite Noordhoek Flyer, who went into the race as ruling Vodacom Durban July favourite, lost a shoe in the running, but even then was disappointing in fourth place. Kevin Shea said about Irish Flame, who went into the race as July second favourite having been a facile winner of the SA Derby in very soft going in his last start. “This was the test to see whether he would handle Greyville and whether he would like fast ground. He proved he could do both. He showed a very good turn of foot at the top of the straight.”
Karl Neisius, who rode Noordhoek Flyer said: “I was a bit disappointed as he didn't kick all the way to the line. He might not have seen it out but it’s difficult to tell as he did lose the shoe.” Al's Deputy led them in the running with Conquered Dream at his quarters. Irish Flame travelled comfortably one or two wide in about fifth place. The eventual third-placed Mike Miller-trained Lizarre was just behind him with Noordhoek Flyer next best about six lengths off the lead. Bold Silvano was further back. Turning for home Irish Flame quickened well and hit the front. Noordhoek Flyer had to go between runners but looked to have every chance. However, it was Bold Silvano who loomed up from behind to become Irish Flame's only danger. Irish Flame fought off the challenge to win by 0,25 lengths, while the confidence from the Mike Miller yard during the week proved on the mark as Lizarre finished strongly to just pip Noordhoek Flyer for third place. Lizarre started at odds of 20-1, having been as big as 50-1 at one stage. The outsider Al’s Deputy finished fifth to earn a Graded stakes cheque at huge odds for the second time in succession. Irish Flame is owned by Larry Nestadt, Bernard Kantor, Gary Barber and Percy von Molendorff and was bred by Millennium Stud. Nestadt was on course, while Kantor was of course at the Epsom Derby in England, which is now sponsored by his company Investec. The Woolavington saw the Glen Kotzen yard land yet another Greyville Grade 1 as Imperious Star led from start to finish under Derryl Daniels. The race was a personal triumph for Daniels as he was re-united with the horse he regarded as the best filly he had ever ridden and on whom he is now unbeaten in three starts. It was also Daniels' first ever Grade 1 victory. Daniels had said during the week that the most common yard view after Imperious Star's disappointing run in the KRA Fillies Guineas last time, a race in which he had been replaced by Felix Coetzee, was that she had found it too short. That view proved correct yesterday as she clearly relished her first attempt at the 2000m journey. Kotzen watched from his hotel room in Australia, where he is attending a Sale, and was ecstatic with the win. The De Kock pair, Atlantic Oak and Flirtation were next best, followed by Comebackanddance, the well-backed Zahira, Tassie Belle, Secret Babe, Gluwein, Jet Trail, Croc Valley, Spiced Gold, Equiparada and Generous Anna.Imperious Star kicked at the top of the straight as Flirtation challenged and Tassie Belle ran on strongly down the inside. Jet Trail was also making a bid down the centre. A wall of horses were looming up by the end but Imperious Star kept on finding all the way to the line to win by 0,5 lengths from 25-1 shot Tassie Belle. Jet Trail was the midweek favourite for this race but drifted out to an alarming 16-1. However, she still managed third, just pipping Flirtation with Zahira next best. Imperious Star is owned and was bred by John and Beth Brandtner of Nutfield Stud. The Grade 3 Lonsdale over 2400m also saw a de Kock one-two with Ancestral Fore winning, ridden by Shea, from La Foce. The Epsom Derby saw the Michael Stoute-trained Workforce run out an easy winner under Ryan Moore, who clinched an Oaks-Derby double.

\| All information on these pages are (©) Copyright Gold Circle Pty (Ltd) 2002 \| site map
(This site is best viewed at 1024 X 768)