The R150 000 Listed Golden Loom Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday produced what must rank as the most popular feature winner of the weekend.
Trainer and part-owners of the winner, Corrie and Emmie Lensley haven’t had an easy time of it since the bottom fell out of Kimberley racing in 2020 – but good racing folk survive most anything.
Muzi Yeni has time to glance at the stands as Alesian Chief speeds to an easy win (Pic – JC Photos)
A move away from a crumbling Flamingo Park to the Cape early in 2020 lasted only a year as the former Northern Cape champion trainer and his wife faced the reality that it is difficult to win races in major centres with limited horsepower.
A move from the beautiful views of Table Mountain to the Vaal eight months ago looked a brave move in itself.
But on Saturday it all came together as Corrie saddled his first Gauteng feature winner in close on nine years. His old Kimberley partner Muzi Yeni did the honours, riding a magnificently judged race to get the 3yo Vercingetorix colt Alesian Chief home for a decisive victory.
Starting at 10-1, Alesian Chief powered home in a time of 56,74 secs to beat the highly vaunted filly Sheela (4-1) by 3 lengths, with topweight Mind Reader (16-1) a head away in third.
Bred by Ambiance Stud, Alesian Chief has now won 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts for stakes of R231 250.
He is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the five-time winning Var mare, All In The Mind.
Just for some trivia, Corrie is a member of the rare club of trainers to saddle 6 winners on a day in South Africa. They include Theo de Klerk, Terrance Millard, Andy Smith, Gavin Smith and Gary Alexander – who saddled his first runner in Australia earlier today.
