Hollywoodbets sponsored trainer Gavin Smith enjoyed a terrific four-timer at Fairview on Friday, including a gutsy win for the Ralphs Racing Team in the Fairview 1800m with evergreen 6yo Dawnbreaker.
On an afternoon dominated by the Smith and Yvette Bremner yards, Gavin Smith had Dawnbreaker cherry ripe for a big effort in the R110 000 non black-type feature.
Dawnbreaker (Greg Cheyne) gets the verdict over Toltec and Shogun in a thriller (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Replacement rider, Ridgemont – Highlands sponsored Greg Cheyne rode an intelligent race as he settled the relaxed Dawnbreaker a length off the free-running Shogun.
Dawnbreaker is effective over the 1200m and 1400m, but Smith showed his years of experience, testing the waters and sending him over 1800m in a small field, where pace was always likely to be lacking.
The move paid dividends, even though the favourite Toltec looked very dangerous late and Dawnbreaker frankly appeared beaten in the run for home.
Cheyne pointed out that Dawnbreaker (12-1) had not changed legs in the dash for home, but enjoyed the challengers and threats around him and he rallied well to hold the odds-on Toltec to a short head in a time of 109,77 secs.
Shogun was there for a long way and was not disgraced a head away in third.
Bred by Highlands, Dawnbreaker is a son of champion Trippi (End Sweep) out of the National Assembly mare, Enchanted Dawn.
He has been a model of consistency, winning 7 of his 30 starts for 15 places in the mix and stakes of R565 800.
