When expected pacemaker Newton’s Spark got the better of a scrum of starter’s assistants before eventually wearing out the starter’s patience, the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap was reduced to six runners and had Dean Kannemeyer cursing his luck.

As he feared, the field hacked the first 1500m leaving top weight Made To Conquer to win the sprint for home, which he did finishing clear of hot favourite and a one-paced Silva’s Bullet and Snaith stable companion One Direction.

“I purposely gave this horse a break to leave something for KZN and it worked out nicely,” said Justin Snaith who finally broke his winter season duck in the province.

“It’s been a bit tense and I have been ‘box walking’ but the weather hasn’t been kind. Three days of rain then 30 degrees then rain, it hasn’t been easy but we will settle down and start firing.”

With Snaith saddling the two best fillies on the country at Greyville on Friday night, yesterday’s win was a timely boost of confidence.

Made To Conquer came off some cracking Cape form, this being his fifth win from his last five starts but any thoughts of a supplementary entry for the Vodacom Durban July are on hold.

“He’ll probably get about six points for this win. He may not get into the July and he might not be good enough if he does but I know he stays so maybe the Gold Cup will be a better option,” pondered Snaith. “We will see how we go.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who had ridden Made To Conquer in his five previous starts, was cautious about the chances of the favourite beforehand. “He’s won for of his last five,” he said of the top weight, “and we are only getting half a kilo,” he surmised.

Anton Marcus made an early move at the top of the straight and Made To Conquer kept rolling to the line. Silva’s Bullet briefly looked a threat but it was soon clear that his rival had pinched a winning lead.’

Given the slow early fractions this form could prove deceiving and Silva’s Bullet may be worth another chance.

Miss Calypso booked her place in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship with a smart victory in the second on the card, underlining the benefit of racing experience as opposed to those making their debut. “Next is the big one,” said Gavin van Zyl after Miss Calypso had streaked clear of market rival Alsflamingbeauty making her debut for Snaith. Miss Calypso knew what it was all about while Alsflamingbeauty was at sea for most of the race and did well enough to stay on for second. She is definitely one for the notebook.

Alsflamingbeauty had finished close-up in her barrier trial to Sunday’s Strelitiza Stakes winner Inveroche who is also headed for the Allan Robertson. “The Allan Robertson and then she is also eligible for that million-rand race on July Day,” said Mark Dixon. “Then we will put her away.  Five races is enough for a two-year-old.”

Di Me was responsible for one of the longest priced winners in recent months as Ivan van Wyk’s colt got the meeting off to a rocky start. Di Me was a 125-1 chance with the books and paid R73 a win on the tote.

By Andrew Harrison