WORLD SPORTS BETTING 1900 (Grade 2) – R R 400000 –
For all Horses – 1900m

WORLD SPORTS BETTING 1900

Winner: PACAYA

Trainer: Justin S Snaith

Jockey: Richard Fourie

Winner: PACAYA – Trippi (USA) – Ash Cloud by Black Minnaloushe (USA)

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

OWNED: The Duke of Richmond Syndicate

Pacaya throws his hat in the ring

Andrew Harrison

There was plenty to chew on after Pacaya turned it on in the Gr2 WSB 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday (13 May 2023), not only for the punting public but also for Justin Snaith and rider Richard Fourie. On a track softened by some afternoon rain, Snaith’s gelding laid down a marker for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Some way back in the early running in a race run at no great pace, he was given a clear run for the wire crossing the subway and he responded smartly to Fourie’s urgings, passing the majority of the field.

Pacaya was chased home by fellow Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls in Winchester Mansion and top weight Rascallion.

“He hit a flat spot and couldn’t get comfortable,” commented Fourie. “We had him a little bit under done but all good, he’s lining up nicely for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That’s the plan eventually but a great win never the less today,” he continued.

Fourie added further insight. “A four-year-old carrying a light weight but I think this year’s going to be a little bit tricky because there are some good three-year-olds around that can stay just as good as the older horses and can quicken, probably better, so the race is open but the Snaith team has a better hand this year and I’m going to say a little bit less now.” 

The rider was cagey about what horse he was going to partner in the July. “Not quite. I’ll leave that until the last moment.”

Pacaya won well enough but there were a few behind him who could pay to follow.

 Kabelo Matsunyane had obviously labelled Pacaya as his main danger and had Winchester Mansion on his heels for much of the race. The two quickened up together but Winchester Mansion was just not good enough to make up the leeway.

Possibly the best showing of the race was top weight Rascallion. Giving lumps of weight to both the winner and runner-up, he looked a likely winner half a furlong out.

Going to post in red earmuffs and dripping sweat, Vaughan Marshall’s charge obviously has some temperament issues but he certainly put up his hand for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. 

In a pre-race interview, Marshall pointed out that he still had something to work on for the July but would have been delighted if he could have won given his current state of fitness.

Possible disappointment of the race was Quasiforsure. Although bringing up the rear for most of the race, he was on the heels of both Winchester Mansion and Pacaya and although making up some leeway, he was no match for his rivals. Questions over his possible stamina limitations may have been answered!

Garth Puller has always rated Captain Fontane as a top horse and but for an unfortunate career path would probably have been more decorated than has current CV reflects. Much to Puller’s chagrin, Captain Fontane was eliminated from the Drill Hall Stakes last Saturday where he felt that his charge would have at least finished in the money given the opportunity. But he came good in a heavy rain squall on Saturday as he quickened up past pacemaker Russian Rock to get home comfortably in a Pinnacle Stakes over a mile with Puller labelling the Gr3 Cup Trial over 1800m as he next mission. Justin Snaith will have left some meat on the bone as Do It Again quickened from the back of the field to take third. He was one-pace the last furlong but it was a good pipe-opener for the veteran’s Champions Season.

Athandiwe Mgudlwa has matured as a rider and current KZN champion trainer Gareth van Zyl has given him a chance to prove himself in the top echelons. Mgudlwa showed just why Van Zyl has signed him up as he rode the perfect front-running race on Rafa’s Boy. With Richard Fourie and Bedtime Story looming large on his inside and easing a neck clear, the writing was on the wall, but Mgudlwa saved the best for last and picked up his mount for a final challenge without resorting to a flailing stick. 

Indian Ocean is a lean leggy filly that looks to have plenty of growing to do confirmed by her trainer Paul Matchett who looks to have a smart individual in his yard. Matchett was looking for a ‘lift’ from OR Tambo on Friday afternoon with his flight repeatedly delayed but he was on hand on Saturday to greet his charge.

Observers were a little incredulous as Gabriel Pieterse made no attempt to get in from his outside draw but he explained afterwards, “The plan was for her to use her big action and not get stuck in behind horses. She has the ability to handle three wide.” And handle it she did as she accelerated away to win as she liked with the luckless Pixie In Love again finding one too good.

The turf cutting up after the rain did nothing to affect the chances of Rockie Reef as Fourie sent Peter Muscutt’s filly up the inside of their field and kept going long enough to hold Let’s Not Linger who finished with a tidy burst of speed but the line coming two jumps too soon.

Time Flies, a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, got the better of Dawnofanewday in the sprint for home in the KRA East Coast Cup (Listed) with the balance of the field in a race of their own. Brett Crawford’s filly had plenty in her favour including the weights and Louis Mxothwa made full use of his mounts advantage. Jumping from the inside gate, he carted the field along at a sedate gallop with Keagan de Melo having a difficult time staying off the pacemaker’s heels. Crossing the subway, the two had pulled clear of the opposition with De Melo looking for the smoother going on the standside fence and Mxothwa straight down the middle where he kept going long enough to hold off the challenge on his outside.