Act Of War overseas bound
ACT Of War was yesterday cut from 10-1 to 6-1 fourth favourite for the J&B Met but seemingly it is 2-1 against Saturday's Grand Parade Cape Guineas winner even running in the great race.
Derek Brugman explained: “The intention is to get him out of the country, probably around March, and race him on the world stage in England. We won't go to Durban with him but, if he is 100%, we will run him in the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, the Met or the Investec Cape Derby. It will be one of those three, but not two of them, and it will be Markus Jooste's call.’’
The country's leading owner for seven straight seasons is in hospital. He had his appendix removed but the wound went septic and he had to return but, says his racing manager, “he is in good spirits.’’ He certainly should be after winning six of Saturday’s ten Kenilworth races!
Act Of War, who made it six in a row in straightforward fashion, was described by Bernard Fayd' Herbe (a man who has won 31 Grade 1 races) as: “One of the better horses I have ever sat on and something really special.’’
The Arc-En-Ciel bred Dynasty colt was the second Cape Guineas winner for Joey Ramsden in four seasons, and the highlight of a fabulous five-timer, but seemingly the build-up was traumatic.
The Milnerton trainer often gives the impression, particularly in his blog, that there is a lot more to life than racing but behind the fun-loving front there is a hardworking intensity and even the thought of failure brings out a grim determination that can drive him almost to despair. This time he took it out on the wife.
The reason was the racecourse gallop a week earlier when Act Of War's performance against Brutal Force and Kingvoldt was rather more below expectations than the trainer let on. “He worked OK but normally he will eat the other horses for breakfast and he didn't do that,’’ Ramsden explained.
“I was hugely disappointed - and I was left scratching my head and doubting myself. It really got me down and all week I was an absolute living nightmare. There wasn't one homeopathic medicine I didn't try and even I was surprised at the depths I sank to. I have to say sorry to Fee.’’
Paul Lafferty will make plans for Harry's Son after the gallant runner-up flies back to Durban this afternoon and seemingly the colt had a rough passage. “Rounding the turn he was pulling hard and another horse came in on me,’’ reported Piere Strydom.
Lafferty added: “Harry’s Son nicked his off-fore but we are not making any excuses. The winner is a top horse and I was very pleased with mine.’’
Kingvoldt, only run out of second in the last few strides, may yet avoid the fate of most haemo-concentrating horses but 75-1 shot Imperial Gold surprisingly finished better than 8-1 stable companion Zambezi River. Both lost ground at the start.
S'Manga Khumalo reported: “I had a bad draw but my horse just didn't get the trip.’’
Sean Tarry added: “They both had reasonable runs. Zambezi River is a CTS sales race candidate and so he will drop back in trip for the R1 million race on 24 January while Imperial Gold will go for the Politician Stakes on 10 January.’’
Jet Explorer
Meanwhile, The brave and remarkable Jet Explorer put up an eye-catching performance, making up a tremendous amount of ground in the final furlong, in the Cape Premier Sales Jet Master Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.
It was reminiscent of his effort in last season's Queen's Plate when his J&B Met price tumbled from 20-1 to 7-1. This time it occasioned only a ripple in the market - 501 to 33-1 with Betting World - but seemingly there is a lot more to come.
“I am amazed he can run second because it's been a long comeback - he had to be box-rested for two months - and he is still only half the horse,’’ said Justin Snaith. “Maybe the Queen's Plate next. It could be a nice race before the Met.’’
Vanessa Harrison’s Jet Aglow, who led over a furlong out, held on by a diminishing half length and will now attempt to step up on last season's third in the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes on January 10.
But Sean Cormack and Dennis Drier were every bit as excited about Seventh Plain who made a winning debut in the Polar Ice Cream Maiden Juvenile and will go for the Listed race on Met day.
Cormack said: “I haven’t ridden a twoyear-old like this for a very long time. He has class written all over him and he is a classic horse in the making.’’
Lanner Falcon ran out a convincing winner under a hands-and-heels Grant van Niekerk in the Racing.It’s A Rush Conditions Plate but Mike Bass promptly ruled out Paddock Stakes suggestions for Gaynor Rupert's homebred.
He explained: “She doesn't really get that far. She is a sprinter-miler and I think I will go for the Freightmore Sceptre Stakes (Jan 17) and the Klawervlei Majorca a fortnight later.’’
But Jet Belle, who ran on well into fifth, will go for the Paddock Stakes. She has been marked out from 66-1 to 100-1 for the Met.
Glen Kotzen said: “She pulled up distressed after her last run in Jo’burg and we have only had her back three weeks. We wanted to give her a nice soft run here to see where we are going with her.’’
Coltrane
Coltrane goes for the J & Jet Stayers after running out a shock 25-1 winner of the Grandwest Cape Summer Stayers under Anthony Delpech. The five-year-old finished tailed off on his last start and the stipes held a lengthy inquiry into the improved form.
Ramsden said: “We spent a lot of money and found a couple of little things but nothing that was either conclusive or definitive. I gave him a week or two off but I was still in two minds about running him and I told Anthony to drop him out and let him have fun. The Met day race is too far for him but he has to run in it after this.’’
Despite the best efforts of his trainers Hassen Adams failed to get a winner. But, in truth, the man who an increasing proportion of the population now calls Burger King was the winner. His efforts, and those of his various teams, attracted a whole new and highly cosmopolitan crowd. Many of them went home realising that racing has a lot more to offer than simply a free hamburger.