Delpech’s Brave Move gives Yakeen a win
Cason the trainer to follow at Flamingo Park
Jockey Anthony Delpech continued his dominance of South African racing on Saturday by producing a 100% strike rate at Turffontein, completing a hat trick of wins.
Delpech is currently comfortably at the top the national jockeys’ log, leading by 23 wins. Of his three victories on Saturday, however, it was the Mike de Kock-trained Yakeen who was most impressive. This three-year-old colt’s 4.75-length victory in a MR 88 Handicap over 1600m was full of merit, considering he was returning from an 88-day rest and had to overcome the widest draw.
With 300m left, Yakeen tightened the screws on 15-1 shot O Lucky Man, whose stride shortened, and stable companion Alshibaa (14-10 favourite). Yakeen passed the tote favourite like he was standing still at the 200m and it was race over. “Yakeen, too good and way too strong,” commented race-caller Alistair Cohen.
Soldier On (8-1) ran on next best, denying Alshibaa of second and O Lucky Man was further 7.50 lengths behind in fourth. The balance of the field was well beaten by more than eight lengths.
Delpech’s other two victories were aboard Hero’s Honour (17-10 favourite) for trainer Gary Alexander and 10-3 favourite Mujallad for De Kock.
Kenilworth also hosted a meeting on Saturday, and although running in a small field, the manner in which Brave Move won Race 6, a FM 85 Divided Handicap over 1700m suggests she could be something special. She was a hands-and-heels ride for in-form Aldo Domeyer, who steered the 11-10 favourite to a 3.25-length victory.
Brave Move has improved with each race run and her form is impressive, having run seven times for a third, three seconds and three wins.
Sweet Pleasures is unbeaten in Kimberley and this Dennis Cason-trained filly is banker material when she runs in Race 2, a FM 74 Handicap over 1000m at Flamingo Park today. She shoulders 55.5kg and could prove better than rated.
Cason could be the key to the Swinger and Exacta bets in this race because he also saddles ultra-consistent Modjadji, who has been in the money in her last eight outings!