The Collingwood Stud-bred Slim Jannie has developed a minor fan following since arriving in the Eastern Cape from KZN as a maiden winner seven months ago.
Now a winner of five races from eight starts in the region, the decision to relocate the athletic gelding has been an inspired one on all fronts.
Raced by the Adam Kethro Property Trust and Clive Williamson, who was on course to lead the winner in, Slim Jannie was the ham on the sandwich of a treble for the high-riding Hollywoodbets-sponsored Gavin Smith yard as he charged to a thrilling victory in the R175 000 non black-type Glendore Sprint.
Louis Mxothwa punches Slim Jannie out to beat Teatro (Richard Fourie) and Evies First (Devin Ashby) in an exciting finish to the Friday feature (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Easy to back at 7-2, Slim Jannie eased into the lead 250m out under Louis Mxothwa in a frenetically paced contest and powered home to hold off his arch-rival Teatro (2-1), who had to again play second fiddle, beaten by a neck in a nippy 57,54 secs for the 1000m dash on the all-weather.
Juan Nel’s Evies First (16-1) was a further neck away in third, boosting the trifecta dividend.
The 9-4 raiding favourite Iron Bark was never in the race and ran stone last. The Vet was requested to examine him and nothing obvious was detected.
This wasn’t his form and the rigours of travel from KZN to the Western Cape, and then up the Garden Route may have taken the pep out of his step.
Bred by Collingwood Stud, Slim Jannie is a son of Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the one-time winning Rebel King mare, Good Rebel.
He was purchased for R200 000 at the National Yearling Sale and notched his sixth victory from 17 starts with 6 places for stakes of R529 088.
Enjoy the replay:
The next East Cape racemeeting is at Fairview on the polytrack on 1 December 2023.
