Age no barrier for Danish Silver
OR humans, age tends to be a limiting factor as it increases and while there are many examples of the older generation still performing at a high level, there are exceptions rather than the generally accepted rule that the “older we get the slower we become”.
But that is not necessarily the case with thoroughbreds and I always think back to the great John Henry winning the Arlington Million at the age of nine. We also see jumpers in England winning at ages up to 12 so when an eight-year-old lines up in a feature race here in South Africa, we should not be too quick to write him off.
The elder statesman that commands respect in today’s Listed Michaelmas Handicap over 1 900m at Clairwood is the Yogas Govendertrained Silvano gelding Danish Silver who bids to win the race for a second time. He won the race back in 2009 and comes into today’s event on the back of a comfortable win over today’s course and distance, with in form apprentice Donovan Dillon retaining the ride.
Well-bred out of the Danehill mare Petite
FDane, he has shown no signs of souring to the game and in his penultimate race over 2 000m at Greyville he found interference when less than two lengths third to Petite Master. With seven wins and 18 places from his 46 races he has served owner Sabine Plattner well with stake earnings in excess of R600 000 and win or lose today, we can feel pretty sure we will get a good run for our money.
The old man does, however, have a difficult task as there are some useful staying types among the opposition although some would prefer a bit more ground and a lot will depend on the pace of the race. Tarry And that pace could be dictated by runners from two stables that appear the main challengers to Danish Silver’s bid for a second win.
They are the strong stayer from the Sean Tarry yard Kolkata and the Alec Laird-trained Count Dubois gelding Roll Count although in both cases, it is their stable companions that appear to have the better chances.
Roll Count is stable companion to Pessoa who