TOTE WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1) -R500 000 – For Fillies and Mares – 2000m

LITTLE SUZIE

Trainer: Justin Snaith
Jockey: Sean Veale

Winner: LITTLE SUZIE

BRED BY: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

OWNED: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

LONSDALE STIRRUP CUP (Listed) – 2400m – R225 000  

FIELD MARSHAL

Trainer: Frank Robinson

Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane

Winner: FIELD MARSHAL

BRED BY: Lammerskaal Stud

OWNED: Mister Sid Moodley

DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) – R2 000 000
For 3 year-olds – 2000m

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN

Trainer: Justin Snaith
Jockey: Richard Fourie

Winner: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN

BRED BY: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

OWNED: Messrs N Jonsson & J P Rupert

Demolition job for Eight On Eighteen

Graeme Hawkins

It was an absolute privilege to be at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday to witness the nation’s top three year old, Eight On Eighteen, demolish his rivals in the Grade 1 R2-million Daily News 2000. Riding a supremely confident race, Richard Fourie eased Eight On Eighteen out of the starting stalls and was content to bide his time at the rear of the field as stable companion Makazole set the early fractions. As the field approached the home straight, Fourie allowed Eight On Eighteen to edge a little closer along the outside of the field but once he pressed the button, the odds-on favourite accelerated smartly and put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

Although drifting towards the inside running rail in the run to the wire, Eight On Eighteen put many lengths between himself and the chasing pack and 150m from the line Fourie was able to glance back over his left shoulder and begin to relax the pressure. Now a triple Grade 1 winner, Eight on Eighteen stopped the clock at 122,37 seconds, significantly faster than the R500 000 Tote Woolavington 2000 (Gr 2).  Owned by Nick Jonsson and Johan Rupert and trained by Justin Snaith, the Drakenstein-bred 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber has now banked more than R6-million from only ten starts, with the promise of much more to come. A decision as to whether Eight On Eighteen will run in the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 5 July will be taken by the connections once the dust has settled, but his presence would certainly add a lot of glamour and intrigue to the big day.

For the record, the filly Spumante Dolce stayed on doggedly to finish second ahead of Okavango and Native Ruler but, in truth, they were chasing shadows in the stretch and were quite simply outclassed by an extraordinary equine athlete.

R500 000 Tote Woolavington 2000 (GR2)

Justin Snaith emerged victorious in the Tote Woolavington 2000, saddling his impeccably-bred 3yo Trippi filly, Little Suzie, to a workmanlike 1-length victory over the gallant My Soul Mate. Little Suzie was the subject of significant betting support, shortening from 16/1 to 13/2 and under a vigorous ride by the in-form Sean Veale, Little Suzie ran on strongly from a handy position to land the odds. Little Suzie races in the colours of Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and her dam, Oh Susanna (Aus), won the Woolavington 2000 back in 2018. Little Suzie still showed signs of being very green and inexperienced, and there is every chance she will mature into a top class four-year-old.

My Soul Mate was very game in defeat but never really looked like mounting a serious blow against the winner. But, to her credit, she stuck to her task well to fill the Exacta position ahead of Mocha Blend and Rainbow Lorikeet with the favourite Give Me Everything failing to fire.

R200 000 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Listed) 2400m

The 3yo Field Marshall, by the same sire as Eight On Eighteen, made full use of a light weight to run out a convincing winner of the R200 000 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. Field Marshall took over the lead from Future Swing soon after turning for home and Kabelo Matsunyane kept him going strongly to register his fourth career victory by more than a length. This was the first occasion Field Marshall was tested beyond 2000m and he passed with flying colours.

Under the welter weight of 63,5kgs, Future Swing fought back courageously to grab second spot by a whisker from the winner’s stable companion, Shoot The Rapids, with Holding Thumbs staying on at one-pace to round out the Quartet.