The Drakenstein homebred hurricane continues to sweep across the feature-race landscape this season and on Saturday it was SA Triple Tiara princess Rain In Holland’s half-brother Itsrainingwilliam who went from start to finish to win the R300 000 WSB Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The second leg of the now open WSB Cape Winter Series produced a thrilling finish to cap an entertaining winter afternoon of racing.
With four runners, including three Hollywoodbets Durban July entries in the ten horse field, Justin Snaith ‘sacrificed’ the nearing peak fitness Itsrainingwilliam as the hare and JP van der Merwe put the cherry on top, riding a well-judged race from the front.
JP van der Merwe drives Itsrainingwilliam out front as Corne Orffer produces Master Redoute late (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
With challengers coming from all round inside the final 300m, JP kept his head down, despite his mount shifting slightly, and the son of William Longsword held off a late thrust by the luckless Master Redoute (14-1) by a half length in a time of 111,16 secs.
Jockey Corne Orffer, who rode the runner-up, chirped that his colleague ‘JP Van Damme’ appeared to lose his compass late and then shifted out. It was clear that Master Redoute may have gone much closer to winning.
The 15-10 favourite Rockpool came from last to run into third a further 0,30 lengths away. Justin Snaith appeared pleased with the effort after a twelve week break.
The other Hollywoodbets Durban July entries produced varying efforts:-
King Regent had every chance but was beaten 1,10 lengths into fourth.
Pomp And Power was produced down the centre, but simply didn’t go on with his run and ran into sixth and 2,25 lengths away. Justin said that he would get him right for the big day.
Hoedspruit was having his peak run but ran last and 13,65 lengths off.
A R225 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Itsrainingwilliam was registering his maiden stakes success and took his stakes earnings to R804 125 with his second win with 7 places from 11 starts. His stakes tally was boosted with his third placed effort behind Royal Aussie in the Gold Rush feature on Met day.
Bred and raced by Drakenstein Stud, Itsrainingwilliam is a son of Klawervlei’s homebred Cape Guineas-winning son of Captain Al, out of the Aqlaam mare Imvula, who won once from two starts in the UK.
Watch the replay here:
The third leg of the WSB Winter Series is the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes which will be run over 2000m on Saturday 24 June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
