Joey Ramsden has a knack of getting the best out of his stock. Sure they are not exactly limited budget material but he somehow finds at least one really top-class 3yo every season.
Table Bay and Anton Marcus makes it look easy with a facile win (Pic – Wayne Marks)
The progressive Table Bay’s facile victory under top weight in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Cape Classic follows in the hoofprints of Ramsden’s Gr1 performers Red Ray (2013) and Act Of War(2014) – and the son of Redoute’s Choice demonstrated the stamp of class that suggests he now has the world at his feet.
The Australian-bred Table Bay became Joey’s 9th Langerman winner when he squeaked home to shade his countryman Our Mate Art in a thrilling finish to the Cape 2yo Gr3 feature in June.
Flashback to the Langerman – the rematch failed to materialise
Fast forward four months to a beautiful Saturday afternoon and the improved furnished product came out to give weight to a good field and dish out a hiding to show his superiority in cracking fashion.
The ten strong field was reduced by one when the Snaith gelding Le Harve reared in his gate and unseated Greg Cheyne, before galloping back to base.
The race was uncomplicated.
Anton Marcus had Table Bay across from his 7 draw shortly after the 1400m start, before the goodlooking chestnut Elusive Path (also in the Jooste silks) took over the lead.
Into the home straight Marcus gave his mount the go and the son of Redoute’s Choice stretched away with his opposition floundering in his wake.
Those that took the 3-1 about Table Bay would have had no stress as he drew off effortlessly to win by 4 lengths in a time of 85,31 secs.
The consistent Elevated (in receipt of 5kgs) came out best to break the Mayfair stranglehold and grab second cheque, ahead of a low-flying Edict Of Nantes in third.
The 18-10 favourite Our Mate Art, who looked to have the beating of Table Bay on paper, had nothing to come when asked and ran a disappointing fourth 5,55 lengths off the winner.
Jockey Anton Marcus made the flight from Durban for just two rides and reiterated what he usually does on these lightning raids – confirming how spoilt he is to just arrive and be part of a top team.
The old team – Joey Ramsden and Anton Marcus
“He is a smashing horse to ride and Joey wanted me to rev him up a bit today and give him a good hard race. As it turned out, it would have not been the end of the world if we had led,” he confirmed.
Trainer Joey Ramsden confirmed that Table Bay was a ‘lovely laid back horse’ to train.
“My thanks to Drakenstein for the sponsorship and also to Markus (Jooste) for putting up the investment and to Derek (Brugman) for always waking me up. It is lovely to be able to go out and buy these smashing horses,” he said modestly.
His reference to being woken up was a chirp in regard to his having almost overslept due to jet lag in Australia and thus coming perilously close to missing out on bidding on the colt. That would have been a hard-luck story for life!
Derek Brugman – shocked
Mayfair Speculators Racing Manager Derek Brugman was almost at a loss for words.
“I am shocked at the way he won. He showed us how good he is today. This was an extremely impressive performance,” said Brugman.
Table Bay was purchased by Mayfair Speculators for A$120 000 at the 2015 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Table Bay was bred by Raffles Dancers NZ (Pty) Ltd and is by Danehill’s multiple Gr1 winning son Redoute’s Choice, a perennial champion sire.
He is out of the well-related unraced Cape Cross mare, Gabriella – a half sister to an Aussie Gr1 winner.
Table Bay took his win tally to 4 from 6 starts with 1 place for stakes of R386 950.
Ramsden’s summer just got hotter!
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Gr3 Cape Classic (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, October 29, R250k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.25.31
1 – TABLE BAY (AUS), 60.0, b c 3, Redoute’s Choice (AUS) – Gabriella (GB) by Cape Cross (IRE). Owner Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr D L Brugman); Breeder bred in Australia; trainer J Ramsden; jockey A Marcus
2 – Elevated (SAF), 55.0, b g 3, Elusive Fort (SAF) – Levitate (SAF) by Spaceship (ARG)
3 – Edict Of Nantes (SAF), 59.0, b c 3, Count Dubois (GB) – Pagan Dance (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
Margins: 4.00, 1.25, 0.30
