MJ on top of the World
NO SHOW: VARDY WAS NEVER IN CONTENTION AND FAILED TO PRODUCE HIS FINISHING BURST
R22-Million Pick 6 pool produces a R4-million payout.
Ever-consistent One World sensationally floored all the big names to win the R3-million Sun Met over 2000m at Kenilworth on Saturday. This Captain Al colt (15-1) silenced those critics who said he would not see out 2000m in top company when he outstayed Rainbow Bridge (4-1).
Head Honcho set an honest pace just like last year, but MJ Byleveld took One World past him and into the lead early in the straight.
Rainbow Bridge had turned for home third and Ryan Moore quickly moved him up to do battle.
At the 200m mark he looked odds-on to go on and score a repeat Met win.
But not for the first time in his career One World fought back doggedly once headed and got back up to win by a neck.
"It means the world to me. The hard work has paid off. When Rainbow Bridge came up it brought out the fight in him," said Byleveld, who was scoring his first Met win.
He has probably never ridden a better race in his career.
"The horse was very courageous and dug deep. A great ride from MJ," said an emotional Vaughan Marshall, who was victorious for the third time.
Hawwaam was a further 3.50 lengths back in third but appeared to be beaten with every chance. Twist Of Fate put in his usual game shift and finished fourth, just ahead of Bunker Hunt.
Green Point Stakes and L'Ormarins Queen's Plate winner Vardy went off at 7-2 but was never in contention and failed to produce that famous finishing burst. He was beaten 5.45 lengths into sixth and probably didn't see out the 2000m.
Ryan Moore was gracious in defeat.
"It was a super run. I'm thankful for the opportunity, but disappointed I couldn't do the job for them" said the British champion jockey post-race.
Politician Stakes
Silver Host gave trainer Justin Snaith his second winner on Sun Met day with a win in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m.
Perfectly ridden by Richard Fourie, the son of Silvano grabbed the lead 200m from home and raced clear to beat Super Silvano by 2.50 lengths. Third place went to Parterre with Sir Michael in fourth.
“He’s still an immature horse and has a lot of growing to do,” said Fourie. “If he can win like that at this stage of his career, the possibilities are endless. He’s a lovely horse, good natured and gives his best.”
CTS 1600
Count Jack (15-2) overcame a very wide draw to score in the R5 million CTS 1600.
This Jackson colt had won his last two in good style, but those were both ordinary handicaps.
This looked far, far tougher and he was allowed to go off at 15-2.
Corne Orffer had him over and sat second behind pacemaker Prince Of Persia.
He cruised past that one at the 300m mark and frankly, never looked like being caught.
Sachdev (21-4) came out of the pack to get within 0.75 lengths and rank outsider Sovereign Secret (55-1) was third.
CTS 1200
It became a family affair as Invidia, ridden by Aldo Domeyer for the Ashley Fortune stable, won the R5-million CTS 1200 (NonBlack Type) over 1200m.
Coming from near last, Invidia (12-1) stormed into the lead in the final stages to beat Cartel Captain (15-2) by 0.75 lengths with Vaseem (25-1) in third and Three Two Charlie fourth.
It is the first winner in the Western Cape for Fortune who exclaimed: “And what a way to break the ice.”
Summer Juvenile Stakes Justin Snaith took the opening feature of Sun Met Day as Erik The Red virtually made all in the Listed Wesgro Summer Juvenile Stakes.
This Captain Al colt was a runaway maiden winner a few weeks ago and went off at 26-10 second favourite.
The Piet Botha-trained Emblem Of Hope had beaten Erik The Red on debut and stayed on for second at 30-1.
Snaith’s other runner Stuck On You finished well for third at 55-1.
Overall the meeting was somewhat of a tough day for punters who had to wait until the 12th and final race for a favourite to oblige.
And even then Black Belt was an uneasy 7-2 chance.
The bonanza Pick 6 pool neared R22 million.
There were only 5.4 lucky winning tickets, with the dividend a touch over R4 million.