Dynamic draws off to beat Light The Lights (outside) and Brave Leader (Bay Media)
While trainer Mike Bass and jockey Grant Van Niekerk finally found some decent form with a smart hat-trick at Durbanville on Wednesday, the afternoon belonged to Justin Snaith’s smart Dynasty gelding Dynamic who bounced off a twenty-one month rest to trot up in a Novice Plate.
The Highlands Stud-bred Dynamic had only won once from 6 starts, but his flying runner-up berth behind Capetown Noir in the 2012 Gr1 Cape Derby had stamped him as something potemtially special.
“He was our July horse two seasons ago, but this is a funny game some times. We took him to Durban for Champions Season last year and he did a tendon in work at Greyville three weeks prior to the Daily News. That was it. But Hassen (Adams) knows the game and is a patient man – we bought into the horse to show our confidence and belief in him,” said a broadly smiling Justin Snaith after the 5yo hacked up to win the mile after an 84 week break.
Bernard Fayd’herbe had him well back early and he looked to have plenty to do as Glen Kotzen’s talented favourite Light The Lights glided up at the 300m.
But Dynamic showed that he is way above average as he sauntered through down the inside rail and drew off to win really impressively by 1,25 lengths in a time of 99,52 secs.
A good win – the 13 to 20 shot Light The Lights is rated 105 versus Dynamic’s 99, and is a top 3yo.
“I sprinted him up and know the horse from earlier. We had to do plenty of hard work to get this ride! ” said the Cape based heavyweight jockey afterwards.
“I wanted this ride!” – Bernard Fayd’herbe
Snaith was complimentary of Fayd’herbe’s ride.
“Bernard did exactly as I asked. He relaxed him at the rear and brought him up the inside rail. Durbanville is extremely consistent and even down the inside rail and I knew that is what I wanted to bring him along without putting undue pressure on him,” said Snaith.
The recently crowned SA Champion trainer said that he would be carefully plotting the gelding’s future races, with his high rating in mind.
Dynamic was bred by Highlands and is by Dynasty out of the six-time winning Theatrical mare, Lanquid Lady, who was successful up to 2400m.
Snaith suggested that 2000m would be Dynamic’s optimal trip. Stick with this fellow.
Grant Van Niekerk and Mike Bass took the honours with a treble on the day, with the jockey suggesting that he would have been fired if he hadn’t started riding the winners.
In a knock for Pick 6 and Jackpot punters the pair scored first with the Mambo In Seattle gelding Peace Park in the fourth race. In a dirty race for punters, both the fancied Pikastar and Joey Ramsden’s Western Force flopped.
Ramsden in fact, had a rather subdued day by his own high standards and nothing went his way. But beware – we will brass him on Saturday, and he will come back and win everything!
Van Niekerk produced the Goldkeeper gelding Golden Crystal to fly late and win the sixth race, just beating the game Paul Reeves-trained Moonlight Runner, who did the donkey work.
Derek Brugman said afterwards that Golden Crystal had been sold prior to the win.
Van Niekerk then got the hard working Muhtafal gelding Titus to rally and deny what would have been a consolation win for Joey Ramsden with the ever consistent Tiger Tops, in the seventh race.
Apprentice Xavier Carstens rode his colleagues to sleep in the last when he stole a march on the Albert Hall filly, The Queen Vic.
Another winner for Highlands, she kept galloping strongly to beat Lily Lafitte by 8 lengths!
The Reeves family was on hand to lead her in, with Paul’s daughter doing an outstanding job of handling the post-race interview formalities.
