Roy Had Enough has always struck as a smart colt and he confirmed that opinion at Greyville yesterday. Coming from the tail end of the field, the Australian import matched strides briefly with favourite Legend but soon left his rival for dead and apprentice Lyle Hewitson wagging a finger at the large Boxing Day crowd as he skated home in the Listed Christmas Handicap.
Roy Had Enough (Candiese Marnewick)
Frank Robertson thought enough of his charge to try his luck in the Dingaans at Turffontein last month but his colt pulled a coffin draw and was only beaten just under four lengths by KZN counterpart Monks Hood. With a better gate he may have finished closer in what was a seriously competitive Dingaans and a race that often turns out to be one of the defining races of the season.
Legend, back to his best last time out, took off from the back of the field alongside Roy Had Enough but could not match his younger rival and finished runner-up with pacemaker Redcarpet Captain staying on gamely for third.
Pick 6 punters took a body-blow first up as rank outsider Celestial Gold, paying R45 a win on the tote, finished like an express train to land the Secona Freight Logistics Handicap. Although a surprise winner according to the betting, the race lacked depth and those punters who chose to go wide were rewarded.
A recent article in the Parade magazine documenting the trials and tribulations of small stables attracted scathing criticism from some quarters but for those trainers who are prepared to stick it out and enjoy what they do, a win is handsome reward no matter the starting price.
Lola Crawford and daughters, Tarryn and Hailey, put in the hard work at Ashburton and although Celestial Gold was not a popular result with most punters, nor would Swakopmund’s victory – R15 a win on the tote – in the following race have given much cheer and Dennis Drier boasts one of the biggest stings in KZN. But horses are horse, no matter how big or small the stable.
Ante-post favourite Captain’s Girl, a drifter before the start before late money for Rodney displaced her at the top of the boards, made a tardy start which may well have been the difference between winning and losing. Stable companion Effortless Reward stretched the field early but Swakopmund stuck to his guns and went on with it as the leader fell away. Captain’s Girl got going late from well off the pace but the hare had already bolted.
Louis Goosen may have been disappointed with Captain’s Girl but the gloom quickly lifted as Winter Blues made it onto the scoreboard, taking advantage of favourite Constantine missing the break and having to hunt for a clear passage when it counted.
Constantine only managed third but Winter Blues, having only his fourth outing, was produced with a telling late run by Gunther Wrogemann to snaffle Captain Ellio and win going away.
By Andrew Harrison
