Dennis Drier’s classy Jet Master colt Chave De Oura destroyed his opponents in the Gr3 Cape Classic
The Norwegian flag flew with pride in Sunday’s R200 000 Gr3 Cape Classic run over 1400m at Kenilworth. Dennis Drier’s classy Jet Master colt Chave De Oura destroyed his opponents with a power display of galloping that had sizzling summer, and maybe even Guineas, written all over it.
The red, blue and white silks of owner Knut Haug, signalled the first wave of the foreign onslaught on the riches of the Cape Summer Season. The KwaZulu-Natal businessman and his top trainer look set for even bigger things this year after making their presence felt last summer. There is a minor team change from 2011,with jockey Sean Cormack now in for Alec Forbes.
Sadly, for the Western Province supporters, the sole visiting horse left the locals red-faced and picking up the pieces. All maybe, except for the likes of trainers Piet Steyn and Justin Snaith. They will probably be feeling satisfied with the showing of their respective charges, Sanshaawes and Readytogorightnow, who both ran crackers into the place money.
Sunshine
The race was run in typically fine weather and a visiting Piere Strydom had Kotzen’s chestnut Kirtling Towers out quickly into an early lead as they scrambled for position.
Cormack eased Chave De Oura back from his good draw just ahead of a blinkered Tight Ship and Black Toga, while Tevez fought with Neisius(see Stipes Report) in fifth position.
At this stage Sanshaawes and Twitter were at the rear. Turning for home MJ Byleveld ensured an honest gallop on Tight Ship, ahead of a threatening Black Toga, while Kirtling Towers looked happy in third. Tevez was unwinding his run and also looked to be in with a chance at this stage.
Top Man. Dennis Drier trains Chave De Oura.
Inside the final 300m Chave De Oura glided into the lead, as Sanshaawes and Readytogorightnow launched their challenges. But none had an answer to Cormack’s informed confidence as the lovely son of Jet Master held them at bay. Chave De Oura won by a head in a time of 85,43 secs.
Going Places
There was a brief moment of stress for the winning connections before the race went final.
Although Joe Public may have been oblivious to it all. The Stipes reported that in the final stages Chave De Oura shifted out suddenly and brushed Sanshaawes. The film of the finish was reviewed but no further action was taken.
Piet Steyn’s lightly-weighted Sanshaawes was finishing like an express train into second and this fellow, who took all of 7 runs to win his maiden, should pay to follow. Justin Snaith’s Australian-bred Readytogorightnow, was baulked at around the 250m marker and had to be switched for a run. He also flew late to run into third, just 1,20 lengths off the winner. The fact that he returned bleeding from the mouth made the performance all the more meritorious.
The first nine horses finished within 5,80 lengths of the winner, so there is a fine line between the genuine disappointments and those that may not have had any luck. The Mike Bass boom horse Tevez ran into fourth and only 1,25 lengths behind. He pulled the bit through his mount during the running, which would not have made jockey Karl Neisius task in controlling him any easier. Despite the legitimate excuse, there was a general consensus afterwards that he is probably purely a sprinter. But maybe he just needs a second chance?
Tevez’ stablemate Paterfamilias jumped from a shocking draw but stayed on just over 3 lengths off the winner. Bass, who has an outstanding record in the race, may feel somewhat disappointed with his charges showing.
The favourite, Gatecrasher Stakes winner Black Toga, had every chance, as Marcus’ mounts usually do. He finished fifth another 1,25 lengths behind Tevez. It was his first outing in three months, so he may well have needed it.
Glen Puller’s Surging River gelding Awesome Power ran a cracker back in sixth, and looks a solid sort in the making. Twitter, now with Crawford in Phillipi, jumped from the best of the draw, but did not quicken to plod into eighth position. He is proving something of a disappointment at 1400m and may be one to confine to the sprint track.
Outclassed
The balance appeared out of their depth on the day. These include: Paul Reeves’ Tiger Tiger, who ran ninth without excuses. Paddy Kruyer’s Hellzapoppin finished just behind him.
Then trainer Greg Ennion will be pulling out what little grey hair he has left. Jockey Chris Puller reported that Shimmer And Shine compounded in running. He was examined by the course Vet but nothing obvious was detected. Mind you, War Horse didn’t exactly confirm the form of Shimmer And Shine’s Gr1 second in the Golden Horseshoe on July day. War Horse ran poorly when just out of money in the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Stipes also asked the Vet to examine Kirtling Towers, who finished 3 lengths behind Shimmer And Shine in twelfth position. There too,nothing obvious was found. But this son of Doowaley won his sprints so well, he may just prefer the straight track.
The pacemaking Tight Ship was the sacrificial pacemaking lamb for his highly regarded stablemate Black Toga, and it was probably not surprising to read that jockey Byleveld had reported that he had compounded in the final 400m. He finished 12,25 lengths back. Ottimo ran stone last but was reported not striding out in front.
Guineas Candidate
The Black Knight. Gary Player bred the winner at his Karoo stud
The Gary Player Stud-bred Chave De Ouro is a R650 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate and has now earned R210 734 from his 4 runs, which includes 3 straight wins after his unplaced debut at Scottsville. He is by the perennial Group race Mr Delivery, Jet Master.
Chave De Oura’s Complete Warrior dam Wonderful World is a solid producer of winners. She only won up to 1200m, which supports the school of thought that he was at his top end here.
We think not.
This fine physical specimen admittedly had the run of the race from the draw, but won far more convincingly than what the official margin suggests. Don’t be surprised to see him lining up in the Guineas- particularly if the Capetonians maintain their hospitality with the good draws!
Result: Cape Classic (SAf-G3) (11/4) Kenilworth, South Africa, November 4, R200.000, 1400m, turf, good, 1.25.43 (CR 1.24.00). CHAVE DE OURA (SAF), 54.5, b c 3, Jet Master (SAF) – Wonderful World (SAF) by Complete Warrior (USA). Owner KA Haug; breeder Gary Player Stud; trainer DR Drier; jockey S Cormack (R132.000) Sanshaawes (SAF), 52.5, b c 3, Ashaawes (USA) – Vicario (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA) Readytogorightnow (AUS), 52.5, br c 3, More Than Ready (USA) – Storm Fronts (AUS) by Hurricane Sky (AUS) Margins: sh hd, 1, nose Also ran: Tevez (SAF) 55.5, Black Toga (SAF) 57.5, Awesome Power (SAF) 52.5, Paterfamilias (SAF) 54.5, Twitter (SAF) 58.0, Tiger Tiger (SAF) 52.5, Hellzapoppin (SAF) 52.5, Shimmer And Shine (SAF) 52.5, Kirtling Towers (SAF) 54.5, Tight Ship (SAF) 52.5, Ottimo (AUS) 56.5
