Andrew Fortune (pictured) scored a treble including a feature race double at the Flamingo Park Festival on Saturday, but Kimberly’s biggest annual race, the R200,000 RA Flamingo Mile was won by the combination of Sarel Von Willingh Smit and Francois Herholdt for the second year in succession, this year with the seven-year-old Spectrum gelding Stone Pine.
Stone Pine has thrived since arriving at Von Willingh Smit’s yard from Port Elizabeth towards the end of last year and this was his fifth win in Kimberley and his 3rd win in his last four starts. However, he was still allowed to go off at 10/1 due to the presence of the Mike de Kock-trained raider Capricorn Ridge, who started 11/10 despite having to carry joint topweight.
There was also support for the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Latino’s Jet, who was backed in from 7/1 to 9/2. Stone Pine was chased around runners from a wide draw and found second place in the running. Latino’s Jet was on the rail in about fifth place and Capricorn Ridge was in midfield. Stone Pine was sent for home early and had struck the front by the 300m mark with Latino’s Jet chasing hard. Capricorn Ridge was traveling comfortably when entering the straight and looked dangerous but was then crossed by Il Palio, a quirky horse who seems to run better when taken to the Flamingo Park stand side rail.
This affected Capricorn Ridge’s momentum and he had to be picked up again. Stone Pine kept going well although Latino’s Jet closed in late to finish 0,25 lengths back in second. Capricorn Ridge was next best ahead of Kingofmountain and Trade Emblem.
Von Willingh Smit and Herholdt won the race last year with Taqdeer, who could only manage tenth out of the eleven runners on Saturday.
Stone Pine was bred by Highlands Farms Stud and is owned by P Barrett.
There was plenty of incentive to win the last of the day’s three features, the R135,000 World Sports Betting Sprint over 1000m, as this formed the first leg of the Super Supreme Series, which carries a R500,000 bonus for any horse that can win all three legs. Vaal-based raider Louis Goosen pulled off a fine training feat with the four-year-old Var gelding Varbration, who started 17/10 favourite despite carrying joint topweight.
The Avontuur Stud-bred horse had lost his way a bit until joining Goosen towards the end of last season and his win on Saturday followed two seconds in his first two starts for the yard. Fortune timed his run to perfection to win by 0,7 lengths from the Von Willingh Smit-trained 30/1 outsider Beez Brothers, who was ridden by Herholdt. The Corne Spies-trained filly Sarve finished a fine third considering she carried joint topweight.
Varbration will likely face some stiff opposition in the second leg of the Super Supreme Series, the R250,000 World Sports Betting August Stakes over1200m on the Vaal sand on August 29, and his stamina reserves might be stretched by the third leg, the R1 million SAP Supreme Cup over 1450m on the Vaal sand on September 26.
Earlier, Fortune displayed immaculate judgement of pace when leading from start to finish in the RA Diamond Stayers over 2200m on the the Tienie Prinsloo-trained five-year-old Judpot gelding Pontedera. Pontedera carried topweight but was still sent off 22/10 favourite and won easing up by 2,25 lengths from the 35/1 outsider Steady As Rock. The 3/1 shot Wimoweh was a well beaten third.
Fortune, a former national champion jockey, weighed 70kg three months ago and has once again managed to beat the battle of the bulge after resolving to get back to doing what he does best.
World Sports Betting presented a R50,000 cheque to the Horse Care Unit after the running of the World Sports Betting Sprint to cap an enjoyable day for a big crowd in perfect sunny conditions.
By David Thiselton
