Age is often an excuse when it comes to under-performing athletes whose performances appear to have tailed off in the twilight of their careers but seven-year-old Marchant kicked that theory over the fence in the Racing.Its A Rush Handicap at Greyville yesterday. Without a win for nearly two years but some fair form in useful company in the Western Cape, the gelding put a decent field to bed in emphatic fashion with his seventh win from 33 starts.
Byron Vorster, long-time assistant to Paul Lafferty and now Sabine Plattner’s KZN assistant to Western Cape-based Andre Nel, is a man of few words but given the manner of victory he will be encouraged that Marchant has juice left in the tank come the winter season.
Marchant (Nkosi Hlophe)
However, Marchant’s win does not reflect well on KZN sophomore form with a trio of promising colts buried. Ole Gunnar fared best finishing second with Lafferty reasoning beforehand that his charge would be better suited to tens furlongs. But more was expected from Monte Christo and Team Guys, the latter now appears lengths better on the poly.
If that was not enough, Royal Master, eleven lengths back in a Kimberley handicap last time out and a win his only placing in eight starts, ensured some healthy exotic dividends. Bill Human’s runner paid close to 33-1 on the tote and under the odds given his form. A mad scramble at the start compromised a few of the fancied runners chances helping the Kimberly visitor’s cause but replacement apprentice Ryan Munger took the shortest way home to finished ahead of the cavalry.
A change of equipment was all that was needed to get Bold Star to shine for Pat Lunn and stalwart owner Mike Destombes in the card opener. “I was quietly confident,” said Lunn, a master at setting up a horse for a ‘touch’. “She was too keen in her races, so we took the blinkers off and put on a tongue tie,” Lunn surmised post-race. Warren Kennedy did the rest, pouncing from mid-field.
They don’t all have the “look of eagles” so a good eye for a yearling is an asset. “There’s not much of her,” quipped television presenter Paul Lafferty of second race winner Zagora after Kennedy had notched a quick double, this time for Gavin van Zyl. “Very light,” concurred van Zyl. “Brian (Burnard) picked her and she was going cheap. He said we can’t let this one go.” It was an inspired buy as the daughter of Lateral has already paid her way with a second win.
Even stretching the imagination Strategic’ s Pride is not in the same league as Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome, the only similarity being that like Victor Espinoza, apprentice Lyle Hewitson had to steer from the rumble seat as the saddle slipped in the running for the third. It was an easy victory for Sean Tarry’s runner made easier by favourite Tanjiro bouncing Anthony Delpech into the air as the gates were sprung, finished riderless and declared a non-runner.
“I always thought he was a smart horse,” said Dennis Bosch, a trainer forever wary of the handicappers who in retrospect were generous with only a five pound penalty for the gelding’s second place last time out. Bosch had Cutting Edge honed to a razor’s edge for the fourth and Delpech always had the race in hand. “He’s a smart horse; he just has to learn to do things the right way.”
By Andrew Harrison
