Hermoso Mundo shows guts and earns glory

RECORDS were smashed when Hermoso Mundo won the eLan Gold Cup over 3 200m at Greyville yesterday as he became the first horse to complete the “Gold” treble and Weiho and Weichong Marwing may well have become the first trainer-jockey brother combination to win the big race.

The crowd were treated to the colourful “woer, woer masjien” victory warcry of partowner Sean Singleton, while part-owner Neil Patrick Smith, who had travelled all the way from Germany, was overcome with emotion and the other owners NC Smith, GD Cahn, G Morris and W Volschenk also joined in the celebrations.

The long-striding Mauritzfontein Studbred four-year-old gelding by Ideal World won the Gr3 Gold Bowl over 3 200m at Turffontein on May 6, the Grade 3 Gold Vase over 3000m on VDJ day and completed the historic treble yesterday under a cool ride.

Marwing had him tucked away in the running within striking distance and after a tussle in the closing stages with the five-year-old mare Zante, he stretched his neck out to win by neck. The Marwing-trained Let It Rain finished third ahead of Fortissima and Tote favourite Kinaan.

The race was marred by tragedy as Royal Badge broke down just before they reached the Drill Hall.

Earlier the Dennis Drier Dynasty filly Lady In Black won the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes over 1 600m under Sean Veale, despite nothing going right for her in the running.

She beat Rockin Russian by half-a-length to remain unbeaten.

Glen Kotzen won the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1 600m with Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open, who gave Richard Fourie a Festival Grade 1 double.

Kotzen, who had four winners yesterday and five in total at the Festival, had earlier won the Gr3 Sunlife Vitamins Debutante over 1 200m with Captain Al filly Princess Peach, also under Fourie. Brett Crawford completed a fine Festival weekend by winning the Gr3 Avontuur Umkhomazi Stakes over 1 200m with Great Britain colt Al Mariachi ridden by Corne Orffer.