Master Keys unlocks the door
NOTHEMBA MLONZI is a relatively unknown name in horse racing circles but her CV outside of the sport is impressive. A self-made woman, who rose from nowhere in rural Transkei to become a respected attorney, an acting High Court Judge, an academic, hotelier, philanthropist, has served on several corporate boards and made history by establishing the first ever 100% black womanowned oil plant in South Africa.
The magic touch appears to have also extended to horse racing with her fledgling Mwetwood Stud based in Howick in KZN.
Nathan Kotzen went to R100k for her first yearling sold at Nationals and the daughter of Master Of My Fate scored first time out at Scottsville yesterday as Master Keys, in spite of trying to take the scenic route, took apprentice Lyle Hewitson within two winners of equalling Gavin Lerena’s record as the most winners by an apprentice.
Kotzen
“She’s a light framed filly but has shown us a lot,” said Nathan Kotzen of Master Keys.
“I told you she could run,” added former Msinduzi Municipal Manager Rob Haswell in whose colours the filly races.
Master Keys gave Hewitson a testing ride as she race very green and then hung badly in the closing stages before picking off well-backed favourite Oratorina.
Watching the ride, it is not surprising that Hewitson is where he is in the national jockey’s pecking order
Prolific owner Brian Burnard had a profitable day with a double, the first in the card opener as Across Seattle took advantage of the absence of the well fancied Mastagambit to record a comfortable win for Mark Dixon.
He was chased by the speedy Eastbrook and Anthony Delpech for much of the race but eventually prove too strong for his rival who was making his debut.
Master Keys is by the freshman stallion Master Of My Fate, a feisty customer when racing, but behaved perfectly on her race course debut. Not so for sibling Mastagambit.
The smart looking dark bay, who had been well supported in the ante-post market, appears to have inherited his father’s temperament and simply refused to load.
Drier
Dennis Drier, who also trained Master Of My Fate, was understandably not impressed with the going on’s at the start.
The Burnard colours were back in the winner’s enclosure in the opening leg of the PA as Minaloushe Venture finally shed his ‘professional maiden’ tag after an enterprising ride from Brandon Lerena. Lerena, a vastly under rated heavy-weight rider, took the initiative early and sent his mount to the front, not to be caught. Eastbrook had to play second fiddle to Across Seattle in the first but Haylor made amends in the opening leg of the Pick 6 for Karen Anthony. “He’s a horse that has had a lot of problems. But we have taken it easy,” she said after he had skated clear of second-placed Iknow.
Root Beer was the toast of most punters who had banked on him in the exotics and Alyson’s Wright’s charge obliged with the minimum of fuss.
Popular television presenter Paul Lafferty, on duty for the day, had difficulty interviewing himself but will have been well pleased with his double, Majestic Glory and Sniper Shot, both hitting bull’s eye.