Champ delights in first Turffontein gallop

Kommetdieding has settled in well at Roy Magner’s Randjesfontein yard and is all set for his onslaught on two Grade 1 races during the season.

Last year’s Durban July champion and winner of this season’s Cape Town Met will be aimed at the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 April followed by the Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at the same course on Saturday 30 April.

He has been in Joburg for a couple of weeks and on Wednesday the four-year-old son of Elusive Fort had his first look at Turffontein Racecourse.

Trainer Michelle Rix has stayed in Joburg with the colt and Gavin Lerena, who rode him to victory in both the Durban July and the Met, put him through his paces. It was not a strenuous work out but both Lerena and Rix were delighted with the effort. “Fantastic,” said Lerena after the gallop.

“Very happy,” added Rix. Kommetdieding was then taken back to Randjesfontein where the veterinarian checked hm out thoroughly.

Once again, he came through examination with flying colours and settled into his box looking thoroughly at ease and went on to enjoy his breakfast.

“We will ease off him a little for the next few days and then give him another gallop, probably next Thursday,” said Rix.

However, there is no decision at this stage as to whether he will be at Greyville to defend his Durban July title. “We will see how he handles these two races and then he will let us know if he is able to go or not,” added Rix.

“We weren’t even going to bring him to Joburg, but he was so well after winning the Met, we decided to come.

“The other option for us with regards to Durban is to raid from Joburg. It gives us the altitude advantage.”