Top Of The Class is Durban-bound
TOP OF THE CLASS, pictured, is Durban-bound after setting a new twoyear-old course record when leading throughout the opener on Saturday.
Vaughan Marshall, whose juvenile string looks better than usual, said: “I was worried about taking on winners but this one is special. I will put him on the float on the 22nd.”
Marshall and MJ Byleveld doubled up with Sequined who just held on in the Betting World Handicap from the fast-finishing and unlucky course specialist Rustar Dhow.
The runner-up knocked out one of her teeth when banging her mouth against the stalls.
But Marshall’s Crusade’s Promise managed third to the Joey Ramsden-trained Carioca, Donovan Dillon’s first success since breaking his hand, in the Juvenile Fillies.
She was odds-on at one stage before easing to joint favouritism with the winner. “They went very fast and she wants a mile. It won’t take her long to win,” said the trainer.
Adam Marcus is going to aim Brave Move at the Ladies Mile (June 30) and the Final Fling Stakes (July 21) after the Horse Chestnut filly comfortably landed the odds under Aldo Domeyer in the mile handicap.
The in-form trainer took his tally to 14 winners in 15 weeks when Richard Fourie snatched the Supabets Handicap with an extraordinarily confident ride on Bridal Party. He sat last until just over 300m out when he had 12 lengths to make up. He got there two strides from the line in the sort of blanket finish that handicappers usually only see in their dreams – the first five were covered by half a length.
Marcus was relaxed as he described staff changes at his stable.
Father Basil has now retired from his role as assistant trainer but his mother Epsomborn Debbie made a rare visit to the races as if to compensate.
Braam van Huyssteen wasn’t there but his money was and Northern Corner made up three lengths in the last 70m to land the 1 000m handicap and enable Domeyer to celebrate his 31st birthday a day early.
Greg Ennion said: “I told Braam that he should have a bet but not to go crazy because the horse has enough on his back as it is. Northern Corner is a tiny little animal but in the last three months he has really blossomed and he now has this amazing burst of speed.”
Despite all its changes and improvements the Durbanville course, in marked contrast to Kenilworth, still favours front-runners and the winner made most of the running in half the eight races.
Grant van Nierkerk landed a double for Justin Snaith in this way on The Boston Rose and Amarosa with the former tipped by the trainer to do well in handicaps here.
Devin Ashby, in agony after being kicked as he was mounting Main Street in the last, had to forego the mount but is confident he will be fit for tomorrow.
He said yesterday: “She got a fright and kicked me in the groin and abdomen. I’m a little bruised but it could have been worse.”