Sir Bernadini shows touch of class
SIR BERNADINI stamped himself as a three-year-old with a future with a hard-fought but game victory in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap at Greyville yesterday.
This was the gelding’s third win from just four outings and with Monks Hood on his way to Hong Kong, Dennis Bosch could be left flying the local sophomore flag during Champions Season.
“He’s still a weak horse,” comment Bosch. “If he was mine I would put him away to mature but with the three-yearold season ahead of us, we will just have to see how he gets on. I think we will see the best of him when he matures and strengthens up.”
Sir Bernadini
Sir Bernadini faced a useful field of handicappers in his first start on the turf and was not keen to enter his stall.
Eventually coaxed in, he jumped well enough but was pushed all the way to the line by top weight Amazon King who relished the switch of surfaces.
On straight form, Sir Bernadini looked held by Fieldmarshal Fenix who had finished over two lengths ahead of him when last they met but, “that was his first run back after a two-and-a-half month break and there was no pace on,” explained Bosch.
“Brandon (Lerena) had no option but to take him to the front.”
Lerena confirmed. “There was no pace on. The others ran past him but he came again. He was a green horse and still running around.”
“But there was a good pace on today and it just shows that when the pace is genuine the best horses arrive.”
Sand Path
Talking about green horses, both winning favourites, Sand Path and Roy’s Stingray did it the hard way but both won well enough.
The Bosch-trained Sand Path was taken down to the start by a lead pony which may have given a small clue as to his temperament. In the race, Anton Marcus had a difficult time getting him settled but once in the straight he gave him daylight and looked set for a win.
However, Sand Path took the scenic route, ducking sharply to the outside fence but fortunately still had enough in hand to see off the outsider Dot Coza.
Roy’s Stingray, having her first outing for Alyson Wright, gave Anthony Delpech a torrid ride and the champion jockey certainly earned his riding fee.
Difficult at the gate, she refused to settle in the running and when getting cover was still tugging for her head.
Delpech took the opposition on early in the straight and kept bullying her to the line. She is a filly with some talent and if Wright can keep a lid on her temperament she may well prove to be more than useful.
Rocky Coast found some good market support in the ante-post market and Muzi Yeni produced Frank Robinson’s gelding with a perfectly timed run to nail long-time leader Podcast on the line in the card opener. Favourite Eastbrook was given every chance but folded tamely over the final furlong.
Drawn wide, the cards fell nearly into place for Rocky Coast. “I was fortune that they were chasing for position, this being a five furlong,” said Yeni. “They went a bit fast.”
Robbie Hill looks to have a smart filly in the making in Petra who came home smartly in the All To Come Maiden Plate in spite of going every which way but straight on debut.
“She improved on her barrier trial in work and I think she will go a little further,” said Hill. “She’s shown a lot of ability and some speed. If they don’t show speed at this stage then mostly they are not too good,” quipped Hill, a former top rider himself.