Hewitson rises to the occasion
THE season still has a month and a bit to run but apprentice Lyle Hewitson put the cherry on the top of his phenomenal year when guiding Undercover Agent to victory in the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville yesterday.
It was Hewitson’s first Grade One of his career and the 159th winner of the season, streets ahead of the chasing pack.
“It was a privilege to have him on board before he goes to Hong Kong or wherever,” presumed co-owner Braam van Huyssteen.
It was also the first Grade One victory for Van Hussteen’s partner and prolific owner, Greg Bortz, absent because of illness.
Snowdance
The race was a triumph for Brett Crawford whose three runners finished first, third and fourth, split only by the filly and favourite Snowdance who was gallant in defeat.
The early fractions were run at a pedestrian gallop allowing Captain America to loop the field comfortably to take up his customary place at the head of affairs with the balance of the riders all ‘swinging on’.
Captain America led deep into the straight before his condition gave out.
“He didn’t have a prep run going into the race, that’s what probably cost him,” said Crawford.
Undercover Agent had Captain America on his inside to pull him through while Snowdance was hung out to dry on her own up the centre of the field.
She gave it her all but found Undercover Agent too strong at the line.
“He’s a big strong boy with a big action,” concluded Hewitson.
Sail South
Sail South put in a late challenge to edge out Captain America for third and he looks well on track to defend his crown in the Gr1 Champions Cup come the end of the season.
Crawford gave much of the credit to his Summerveld assistant Peter Muscutt.
“Pete’s done a great job with these older horses.”
The large crowd were treated to some top class racing.
And while the Gold Challenge was the afternoon feature, there was plenty of interest in the Cup Trial where Vodacom Durban July places were at stake.
African Night Sky had tongues wagging after his superb performance in the Gr3 race when he scythed through his field from last to leave the handicappers in a quandary and giving Justin Snaith a few sleepless nights before they make up their minds.
Whether African Night Sky takes his place in the July “all hinges on what the handicapper does,” said Snaith.
“If we get hammered then we may take it on appeal but it will be up to Fred (Crabbia) to decide.
“If it’s around four pounds, hopefully less, then we will probably take our medicine and crack on.”
“To win the July you have to have the right weight but the bottom line is; do you want to see these horses race before the July?”
“You can qualify them and keep them in their box or race them and take your chances. It’s difficult.”
African Night Sky had already cemented his place in the VDJ field and victory yesterday was probably bitter sweet given that the gelding will certainly get two pounds extra and possibly more for the July.
The weights will be announced on Tuesday, June 19. Even with that in mid, the general consensus on course was, “we’ve just seen the July winner!”
Crowd Pleaser
Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Crowd Pleaser ran a cracking race in second but Raymond Danielson was candid.
“I didn’t have the turn of foot that the winner had. He was just too good.”
Platinum Prince chances of making field a lot of good.
Although not able to match his stable companions turn of foot, Platinum Prince finished off his race well for third and he could come into his own over the 2200m of the July and did his the VDJ give Snaith option.
Unlucky was Drill
Stakes winner Perovskia.
He was handy for much of the race but went out the back door in the straight.
He was later found to have been cut into so one can draw a line through this run.
Former Gr1 Allan Robertson winner The Secret Is Out has had a racing career of ups and downs.
However, Vaughan Marshall has handled her superbly and two smart comeback efforts led to a smart victory in the G2 Tibouchina Stakes under a tactical ride from stable rider MJ Byleveld.
Handy for much of another July Hall the race as Lunar Rush cut the early fractions, Byleveld went for broke at the top of the straight and it proved an inspired move as The Secret It Out lasted just long enough to hold a latecharging Star Express, also a VDJ entry.
“It was just too short,” commented Bernhard Fayde’herbe who had partnered the filly to victory over African Night Sky in her Champions Season opener.
The mare is bred to stay every yard of the July trip and will give Snaith another string to his VDJ bow should he diced to run her.
She was already high up on the last VDJ log issued by Gold Circle.