Tail of the Comet won as an odds- on shot should, when he pulverised opposition in the
1400m Cape Ready to Run Stakes (for three- year- olds) staged at Hollywoodbets
Durbanville. The track has firmed up quickly, and a strong south-east headwind favoured
handy types across the card, but the Gimmethegreenlight colt trained by Sean Tarry was so
much the best he could overcome a wide, come- from- behind trip and still win easing up.
11/2, second choice in the market, Just Be Lekker (sired by William Longsword and trained
by Candice Dawson) passed tiring horses with a bold centre move to get second place 4.25
lengths back, as Sail to the Moon resolutely made progress on the inside rail for third. 100/1
longshot Easy Money rounded off the quartet.
Jockey Richard Fourie avoided a fading horse on the turn by going around in the 4-path to
maintain Tail of the Comet’s fluency of stride before blasting clear down the straight. An
impressed commentator Alistair Cohen declared, “he did nothing right, but still came home
in isolation.”
Fourie was also suitably taken by his mount’s acceleration and the bouncy, uber-assured
jock may well be sitting on a live Cape Guineas candidate. “I shook the reins and probably
went too early, but his turn of foot is unbelievable. He’s an interesting horse for the Classics.”
Winning connections of the Nadeson Park bred budding star raked in R310 000 in purses –
with the expectation of more prize money to follow.
Not only is Tail of the Comet talented, with the hallmark of quality turf horses – a
sharp turn of foot, but this remarkably adaptable thoroughbred has now made four starts,
each in different cities, showing progressively high-class form.
– Writen by Mark van Deventer