By: Mark Van Deventer
Though weak in the market (2/1 out to 4/1) GREAT PLAINS dashed down the inside rail to score with a flourish in the Cape Classic Gr 3 for 3YO’s over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He was ridden with flair by Grant van Niekerk and is trained by Justin Snaith.
BOUNDLESS ENERGY threw down a spirited challenge over the final 200m but could not match the top ranked three-year-old (an OMR of 109 going into this race) who was winning for the fourth time from only seven starts.
“Wow, he can turn it on,” said Snaith, who was happy with how his charge started his summer campaign despite a quiet training build up into this season opener. Jockey van Niekerk also holds the quirky GREAT PLAINS in high regard. “He shows top ability, and this will help him gain confidence. I chose to ride a patient race as you don’t want to go too early on such talented horses.”
GREAT PLAINS is by Japanese sire, Danon Platina out of the Var mare, Mara.
GREAT PLAINS
BOUNDLESS ENERGY was only outrun in the final 50m after matching strides with GREAT PLAINS up to that point. He is an exciting prospect from Bass Racing Stables.
The tightly contested places were completed by determined pacesetter, ALL OUT FOR SIX and MAURITIUS KESTREL, who gave their all yet could not withstand the stronger finishes of GREAT PLAINS and BOUNDLESS ENERGY.
9/2 chance, DANCE VARIETY took out the 1000m Southeaster Sprint (a Listed Handicap) with a bold move in the middle of the straight course. Trained by Adam Marcus and ridden with expert judgment by Corne Orffer, the Var gelding pounced as pacey, ZIYASHA weakened, and got first run on chasing lightweight, GIMMELIGHTNING.
MEU CAPITANO also tried to rush at them late, but DANCE VARIETY was home safe in a final time of 57.7 seconds.
The five-year-old winner has now won six of 22 starts and has been ultra-consistent, very rarely missing a podium finish. Firm or slushy ground makes no difference; 1000m or an extended sprint is all the same to him; plus he’s won at both local racecourses.
Adam Marcus has maximised the career of this laidback customer who, noted the astute conditioner, ran above his official rating at his most recent start. DANCE VARIETY may amble casually around the ring, but he sure can turn on the afterburners in hot sprints. Marcus feels that he may as well pitch him next into the Gr 2 De Grendel Merchants.
For his part, Orffer commented on the good relationship he enjoys with DANCE VARIETY, on whom he has won four of eight starts and placed on the others. “I love him – he is one of my favourite horses after Captain America. Initially we thought he was a bit of a ‘thief,” but he has matured properly. The trick is to trust him and ride him strongly to the line. If you ease up on him, he thinks his job is done and slows down. I rate him as a contender for Graded races this Summer.”
LUHAMBA PHAMBILI won the Need for Speed Sprint in 57.14 seconds – a 1000m race for 3 YO’s, to bring up 600 victories for the Hollywood Syndicate. He won the pace duel with favourite LION RAMPART caving in late, then under another finely judged ride by PC Orffer, kept on resolutely to ward off the closers.
LUHAMBA PHAMBILI
“He’s not big, but he’s got guts.” said the pilot. And trainer Gareth van Zyl confirmed, “LUHAMBA PHAMBILI was not fully wound up yet is a lightly framed horse, so he did not need much work. He’s an easy mover with speed for free.” This is a second score from four starts for the Danon Platina gelding out of Silvano mare, Simply Royal who was supported in the market from 4’s down to 3/1.
ROMAN AGENT proved marginally best of the closers to sneak second ahead of One World filly, MISS WORLD. He dashed through a 22.4 second 400-finish sectional and the grey is back on an upward curve again after a rest and gelding in June.
ASPECT provided a heart-warming performance on the under-card. In going start to finish in a Class 3 over a mile, the son of Global View was winning the sixth of his last seven starts. That is quite some turn around given where he was stuck earlier in his career.
Trainer, Vaughan Marshall explained that ASPECT had been seriously sick and needed strong treatment to overcome a wobbling tendency, plus he required an op to solve a wind problem. With those issues sorted out, the hard-to-pass gelding has been transformed into a win machine.
