Objectionable! Insearchofthesun (inside) and Blackmalkin fight for supremacy in the Glendore Sprint (Coastal Photos)
The R90 000 Glendore Sprint run over 1000m at Arlington brought the curtain down with a minimal amount of fanfare on a golden era of horseracing in the Eastern Cape on Friday 6 December 2013. The afternoon’s feature produced an element of drama with the result being decided in the boardroom following an objection.
Arlington racecourse has now been closed forever and consigned to the scrapheap of history.
International owner Fred Crabbia has staunchly supported racing in the region, and there would have been many that felt that it was perhaps appropriate that his gelding Blackmalkin had gotten the verdict to win the final feature event in a tight finish.
The red and black Crabbia silks have won countless races at Arlington for various trainers over the years, but the fairytale was not to be with the objection hooter sounding.
The field of twelve speedsters blazed the Arlington 1000m straight for the last time, with Var’s son Bandol showing electrifying pace and heading matters until the 400m.
It was at this stage that Blackmalkin came forward with the favourite Swift Wonder and Icemberg unleashing their finishing efforts.
Swift Wonder’s exertion faltered as Blackmalkin galloped strongly with the grey Insearchofthesun going with him.
In the final 100m Blackmalkin appeared to hold the ascendancy, but Insearchofthesun came right back at him.
In a drive to the wire the 14 to 1 Blackmalkin got the decision by a short head in an academic time of 57,51 secs.
Foreign Sovereign ran on well for third, a further two lengths back, with Swift Wonder a tame fourth. A planned trip to the Cape for some of the summer’s big sprints now looks unlikely for the latter.
The Stipes Report tells the story that followed:
BLACKMALKIN (*L Mxothwa) hanging out under pressure in the closing stages, shifted out which resulted in INSEARCHOFTHESUN (K Latham) being carried outwards. Jockey K Latham, the rider of INSEARCHOFTHESUN called for a race review into this incident. Trainer Janse van Rensburg then lodged an Objection against the winner No 5, BLACKMALKIN in favour of No 7 INSEARCHOFTHESUN placed second on the grounds of intimidation and interference in the closing stages. After reviewing the Patrol Film and hearing the evidence from all parties involved the Board upheld the Objection
A winner of 6 races with 5 places from 16 starts, Insearchofthesun has now earned a gross R274 578.
Keagan Latham rode the winner for Steven Janse Van Rensburg. Insearchofthesun races in the interests of Robin Strydom and his breeder Brad van der Riet, and registered his fourth win on the trot.
The Vanree Stud bred Insearchofthesun is by Horse Chestnut’s full brother Whitechapel, out of the four time winning Kilconnel mare, Holy Smoke.
He is surely one of his well bred sire’s best runners ever.
Sean Veale replaced Aldo Domeyer on the Gavin Smith trained former KZN runner, Bwana Macube in this race.
The reason for Domeyer’s absence? Work commitments, according to the official Stipes Report. That really sounds like quite an odd excuse for a professional jockey.
