Four In A Row! Mr Vindaloo (Julius Mariba) wins the Betting World Sprint (JC Photos)
The Muhtafal gelding Mr Vindaloo made it a feature hat trick for former Cape based horses, when he scored a superb win for owner Paul Barrett in the R135 000 Betting World Sprint run over 1000m at Flamingo Park on Saturday.
Call them retreads, call them what you will, but after Key Castle and Uncle Tommy had won the two previous features, Mr Vindaloo showed that Cape Town is a happy hunting ground for any owner looking for a potential sand horse.
None of the three were, with all due respect, going places in the Cape in the initial stages of their respective careers.
The enthusiastic Mr Barrett must be scratching his head and wondering why he hadn’t made the move to Kimberley much earlier, as Mr Vindaloo registered his fourth win in succession over the course and distance.
Trainer Sarel von Willingh Smit had the 6yo tuned to the minute as apprentice Julius Mariba hit the launch button at the 300m after El Cielo and Jella Loochee had gone very fast early.
Mr Vindaloo won the non black type feature by 0,25 lengths to hold the fast finishing Kinematic Countess, with Zezinho Belo staying on well after a layoff, to grab third.
The complexion of the quartet changed dramatically in the final 100m as many of the early leaders tired suddenly.
Mr Vindaloo was bred by Barton Hall Stud and is by Muhtafal out of the once winning All Fired Up mare, Forever Flaming.
He is a R110 000 National Yearling Sale graduate.
Mr Vindaloo has won 7 races with 9 places from 39 starts and R367 575 in stakes.
He has never been in better form and can be followed with confidence.
