Unleashed Humidor keeps punters smiling
LETDAGOODTIMESROLL and apprentice Tristan Godden did their best to spoil the party in the headliner at Scottsville yesterday giving those that had plunged on favourite Humidor more than a few anxious moments.
Backed into the red, Tony Rivalland’s track record holder appeared to be battling up the hill as Letdagoodtimesroll free-wheeled in front but Anton Marcus, always calculating, held the favourite up to strike when it mattered.
Just as Letdagoodtimesroll was being called home a winner, Marcus unleashed Humidor and he put the race to bed inside the last 50m with Great Expectations finishing well to snatch second.
“I’m trying to get him ready for that breeders’ day in three weeks’ time so this was a gallop for it but I'm pleased he came through well,” said Rivalland.
“I must compliment Anton, I thought it was a great ride, he read the race right.”
“The problem is his soundness,” confided Rivalland. “You are always sacrificing a little bit of fitness for soundness.”
Earlier, Rocky Valley, who had fluffed his lines on debut and possibly missed his chance at a crack at the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion this Saturday, made no mistakes this time around as Marcus always had the race under control on the favourite running down long-time leader and two years older Shoot The Bull.
Rocky Valley was heavily supported on debut but surrendered tamely behind Buffalo Soldier. “He had shown me unbelievable work but he didn’t look like he looked today,” confessed Dennis Drier. “He was a different horse today.”
“I must say Anton did have me a little worried but when you have top boys!” he shrugged.
“He said Mr Drier the only thing that can beat this horse is the five furlongs. He was right.”
“It’s just amazing how one run brings a horse along,” commented Duncan Howells after winning the card opener with Restless Rogue and then reserve runner Lunar Rush giving the hot favourite Querari Falcon a scare in the second.
Restless Rogue had shown enough in work to be entered for the Gold Medallion but had finished a modest sixth on debut. Two months later is was a different scenario as Muzi Yeni hopped him out in front and kept him rolling to the line with the well fancied The King Of Random chasing hard in second.
Maine Chance Farms with their German connection have struck gold with their two German imports Silvano and Querari.
Silvano’s exploits in the stallion barn are well documented but Querari is also quickly making a name for himself and Querari Falcon added to her sire’s credentials with a smart debut win in the second.
“She’s a smart filly," said Mike Azzie almost under his breath when congratulated on the win.
She was given a searching test as Lunar Rush, Anime and Andermatt kept her honest but she passed the test with honours and Azzie's assessment does not appear to be off the mark.
Apprentices Tristan Godden and Eric Ngwane, the pair just back from a monthlong busman’s holiday in Newmarket in England, fought out a tremendous finish as Godden got Jet Intombi to out last Ngwane on favourite Diamond Coast in the sixth. Both are turning into polished riders and Godden gets on particularly well with Jet Intombi who is difficult at the best of times.
Byron Foster, assistant to Andre Nel and in charge of the Sabine Plattner KZN satellite yard, was back in the winner’s circle with veteran Danish Wood in the eighth to give the yard a double.