Andrew Harrison
Blue Steel is something of a tearaway in the mornings, not a ride for an apprentice according to Terry Fripp, Candice Bass’ Summerveld assistant, but Athandiwe Mgudlwa had his mount under control in the Class 4 that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.
Coming off a break, the son of Erik The Red pulled himself to the front and was not for the catching to win well. There were plenty in with chances over the final 100m, Red Bomber there but not able to hold off late challengers from Tam’s Night and Hoodia but Blue Steel was always in command.
Summer Winter was the money horse in the first leg of the Pick 6 and it was all money on the mark as Keagan de Melo delivered the goods for Adam Azzie. Four-claiming apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon was quickly out of the gate on Magical Sky and setting smart early fractions but De Melo was always in striking distance. Magical Sky kept fighting in the dash for home but De Melo had her in his sights and Summer Winter delivered with a sustained finish to out-run Magical Sky with Tequila Sky, cramped late on the rail, running on for third.
It all went wrong for Catch A Penny in the Class 4 but Glen Kotzen was in the winner’s enclosure for the fourth as Let It Roll lived up to his name and came home lonely under Mickaella Michel. The original plan was to tuck in but the two-year-old took a hold and Michel was content to let the colt roll in front. There was a line across the track crossing the subway but once asked for an effort, Lit It Roll quickened up and streaked away from his rivals.
Fellow two-year-old Golden Diogo found a ton of support in the market, in from 20-1 in the ante-post to near favourite, but was very green and did well to run into third. Definitely one for the notebook.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July field will be announced tomorrow at the draw for the big race but Michel will be aboard current race favourite Star Major for James Crawford and confirmed that the colt had come on from his last win.
Lola Crawford does not have a big string at Summerveld but daughter Tarryn who runs the yard is steeped in horses and horse racing but dealing mainly with horses of modest ability.
However, given the opportunity she is more than capable of producing the goods.
Come Together was bought off an on-line sale and the three runs for Crawford have produced two placings and yesterday’s win in the card opener.
Tristan Godden was aboard on all three occasions and he produced his mount with a telling late run to fight off the attentions of Andre Nel’s filly Midnight Hour and Godden, tongue-in-cheek, saying that he was not sure who Hailey, Tarryn’s sister, was shouting home as she works for the Plattner operation.
Favourite Peach Melba jumped awkwardly out of the gate, losing position, but ran on stoutly for third.
Four-year-old Diamond Maker has a pedigree that suggests that ten furlongs and further would be his forte but tried over the trip last time out he finished a modest sixth. Yesterday it was back to a sprint with blinkers and it worked a treat as Jabu Jacobs, who does not get many chances in spite of his ability, made most of the running on Mike and Mathew de Kock’s runner and he kept on rolling with Ubuntu Of Peace just getting up to touch off favourite Tiger Cody and Glen Kotzen’s gelding does look to be looking for more ground.
The handicappers got it all right as top weights Green Mile and Lunch Money had the finish to themselves in the D Stakes. The two pulled clear of the opposition crossing the subway with Green Mile always having the advantage and Lunch Money chasing but the writing was on the wall a long way out.
It took Blane Marx-Jacobson some time to find his feet but the log-leading apprentice showcased his ability as he waited for an opening at the top of the straight before sending Louis Goosen’s filly Saudi Sweep into the lead with a telling late run to win as she liked leaving Winter Blessing and Mystique Rouge to fight it out for the minor placings.
