Grant delivers Sir Frenchie, receives huge Bounty
Sprint features batter punters
The combination of trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Grant van Niekerk has been firing on all cylinders recently, and Saturday was no different. They secured a feature double at Kenilworth, kicking it off with 15-1 shot Sir Frenchie in the Fairview Wines Sophomore Sprint (Listed) over 1200m.
The three-year-old Choisir gelding came from midfield at the 300m, absolutely flying under a perfectly judged ride by Van Niekerk to defeat long-time leader Bold Respect (2-1) by the whisker of 0.10 lengths on the line. Woljayrine (15-1) stayed on well for third and Grade 1 winner Sand And Sea (18-10) – once again failing to justify favouritism – was beaten 3.10 lengths into fourth place.
A drop in trip, along with a late decision to fit blinkers by trainer Snaith, appeared to do the trick for Sir Frenchie in the R150 000 race.
Bishop’s Bounty was a massive upset in the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes (Grade 2) over 1200m, going off at 45-1 and making light work of a field of highly rated sprinters to win going away by two lengths. This was his third run after a rest but his previous two outings did not raise any expectations as he had finished 11th and 14th respectively.
Van Niekerk positioned the four-year-old son of Western Winter off the pace early with the more fancied stable companion Sergeant Hardy (7-1) setting a hot pace from the go under Bernard Fayd’Herbe. He was followed by Rock Of Africa (55-1), Mujaafy (15-2), Wonderwall (20-1) and Brutal Force (66-1).
The order quickly changed approaching the 300m and Bishop’s Bounty powered past Sergeant Hardy with ease. This left Tevez (30-1) to fight it out, but the eightyear-old had to settle for second. Sergeant Hardy stayed on for third, followed by Mujaafy and second favourite Trip To Heaven (7-2).
Racing is at Fairview today and a return to the Polytrack should boost Miracle Bureau’s chances of earning a sixth career victory when he runs in Race 3, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. One run back he was a 3.50-length victor on the surface, so the Tara Laing-trained gelding is BiPot banker material in the second leg.