Noble victory for Bass
LOCAL trainers will have to wait another year to win back the Betting World East Cape Derby trophy.
On Saturday it was the turn of Candice Bass-Robinson to claim the R218 750 winner’s cheque when the 16-10 favourite Dorset Noble scored a comfortable win by 4,25 lengths over 2 400m.
It was the visiting trainers’ eight consecutive win of the coveted trophy as Port Elizabeth’s last win in this race came in 2009.
Trainer Gavin Smith, however, gave Port Elizabeth some pride when he ran second and third with Story Of My Life (Chase Maujean, 25-1) and En Gee Oh (JP der Merwe, 12-1) respectively.
Dorset Noble, who is owned by Marsh Shirtliff and Bernard Kantor, now has two wins and two seconds from four starts.
Dorset Noble, beautifully bred by Canford Cliffs in Australiaby opened at 12-10 before drifting slightly to 14-10. He then improved to 12-10 before weakening again to 16-10.
En Gee Oh was the early leader, followed by Give it Away, Off The Bit and Dorset Noble.
At the 400m mark En Gee Oh looked dangerous with Off The Bit also moving forward. At that stage Dorset Noble started to unwind after a patient ride so far.
In the closing stages Dorset Noble burst through strongly in the middle of the track to leave his opponents behind.
Strathdon (7-2) and Arabian Dynasty (9-2), who were also well supported in the betting, ran fifth and sixth respectively.
Dorset Noble paid R2.60 a win.
It was a sad day for promising young Lyle Hewitson.
He was booked to ride Dorset Noble after Aldo Domeyer could not make the trip to Port Elizabeth, but had a nasty fall in Race 3, riding firsttimer Gitano Giant for the Renate du Plessis yard.
It then became a chance ride for Craig Zackey who grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Hewitson’s injury was a “clean break” of his shoulder blade and he was operated on yesterday.
In an interview after the race Zackey felt it was unfair that he was given the trophy. “This really belongs to Lyle and I want him to have it. He deserves it more than I do. I just sat on the horse.”
The Epol Dahlia Plate over 1200m was won by 10-1 shot Joking, who scored a great win with JP van der Merwe up for the Smith yard.
Coyote Creek (30-1) surprised with a good second place ahead of Seattle Flame (22-10) and Fort Winter (37-10).
It was Joking’s maiden win for owners Messrs S Poriazis, LG Adams, Raymond Davies, & TJ Dodgen, Dr H Nhlapo & Mr DM & Mrs LJ Johnson.
Joking’s victory caught some punters offsides, but Trica Dupont’s (12-1) victory was the biggest upset of the day. She paid R11.40 a win.
Van der Merwe was the best jockey on the day with two winners. Among the trainers Smith celebrated three winners and Tara Laing two.
Strangely, Alan Greeff did not have a single winner on the day.