Dodgy Itie defends title

LAST year’s winner Dodgy Itie stayed on resolutely under a strong Marco Van Rensburg ride to successfully defend his RA Flamingo Mile crown in the head liner of Kimberley’s biggest raceday on Saturday.

Topweight Red Special set the pace followed by Just Ask Me and the eventual winner.

Favourite Notacademic atall (10-3) sat within striking distance just off the leading line.

Red Special was still plugging away entering the straight, but Dodgy Itie soon had his measure, and Notacademicatall was the only real threat over the last 200m.

Dodgy Itie never looked in any serious danger though, and crossed the line 2.5 lengths clear of a staying on Ahead Of Traffic, who got the better of Notacademicatall late on.

Earlier Tienie Prinsloo’s Sea Bean had won the first of the features, going clear late under Shadley Fortune to win the RA Diamond Stayers over 2200m.

Rockefeller set a fair if unspectacular pace, followed by Sea Bean, Razzle My Tazzle and Netherby Hall.

Sea Bean took over halfway up the straight, Netherby Hall stayed on, and Rockefeller plodded into third six lengths off the winner. Nothing from off the speed made any real impression.

Tweed Valley

The final feature was won by raider Kom Naidoo as Tweed Valley got the better of fellow bottom weight Timkat down the inside to take the Betting World Sprint over 1000m.

The KZN conditioner has an affinity with this race, as he was also successful last year with Roy’s Marciano, who trailed in last on this occasion.