By Mark van Deventer
GOOD FOR YOU just prevailed in the Race Coast Cape Punters Cup (Gr 2), barely holding off a surging Randolph Hearst and then surviving an objection by the runner-up on the grounds of interference, before being declared the official victor.
It was a dramatic twist to the 1600m showdown for 3YOs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. GOOD FOR YOU practically went start to finish, and was all heart in keeping the persistent challenge of 3rd placed 66/1 longshot, PAY THE PALACE, at bay.
But it was the big stretch run of deep-closer, RANDOLPH HEARST (the only horse to get under 24 seconds for the final 400m) that so nearly denied Glen Kotzen’s Legislate gelding.
GOOD FOR YOU previously snuck home as a juvenile in a blanket finish to the Gr 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in May, so is accustomed to bravely scrapping out grandstand finishes.
GOOD FOR YOU was bred by Oldlands Stud. He was ridden by Chad Little and started at 9/2.
The performance of fourth placed HAPPY VERSE can be marked up. Caught wide around the turn from gate 11, he was also sandwiched in the turbulent scuffle to the line, only to succumb by just over a length.
In earlier action, coming from the back of the field with a wild rally, GREEN GATEWAY won the Sophomore Sprint (Listed) over 1200m by a long head after a head-bobbing duel with ROLAND GARROS.
11/10 favourite ALL THE RAGE finished third, moving up in centre track only to be outrun by the top two in a thriller.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer said of the sleek son of Gimmethegreenlight, “GREEN GATEWAY is super-exciting, but with a mind of his own. He has a great turn of foot.”
This was only a fourth career start for the bay out of Jallad mare, Guiding Star. He is getting the hang of things with experience (at previous starts he would be slow to go), and has already shown key attributes of top turf horses – the ability to accelerate and a will to win.
It took a very smart galloper to outduel ROLAND GARROS. The grey Vercingetorix colt emerged with credit despite coming out on the wrong side of this photo finish.
Both the victor (ridden by Craig Zackey at a starting price of 5/1) and second horse (the mount of JP van der Merwe) were bred at Varsfontein Stud.
Champion mare, DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, reprised her 2024 Summer Bowl victory, just staving off a determined rails move by stable mate SWIATEK in the 1400m contest.
She has now won nine of 19 starts, including a slew of Gr 1s, and trainer Justin Snaith is specifically planning on adding another Cartier Paddock Stakes to her stellar resumé.
The race went slow early as RAINBOW LORIKEET jogged along before DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, positioned in the box seat, came through smoothly under Andrew Fortune to seize control. It looked like the 5/4 favourite would win without undue bother only for SWIATEK (backed from 4s into 18/10) to make a concerted late bid which only fell short by a flared nostril.
MAI SENSATION, the 4YO Rafeef filly, scored in the Bantry Bay Stakes over 1100m. She got an ideal stalk and pounce trip, then needed driving out to hold off RAVEN BLACK who bobbled badly at the start and lost many lengths. The stiff runner-up did extremely well to get as close as he did.
MAI SENSATION won the Poinsettia Stakes during the KZN Winter Season and just missed in the Post behind I Am Giant, so brought top notch back form to the races.
This is her fifth win from 13 starts. MAI SENSATION is conditioned at Milnerton by Lucinda Woodruff, and was bred at Clifton Stud.
