Dennis Drier’s 2015 Vodacom Durban July runner-up Punta Arenas came back to his best at Greyville on Saturday when he stayed on strongly to win the R500 000 Gr3 Delta Airlines 2200. Although he started at double figure odds, there are many that will be thrilled that the 7yo secured a major day consolation of sorts.
The old warrior Punta Arenas shows his class
The place accumulator opener was the first of the features on South Africa’s premier race-day and while it is regarded as the traditional July consolation, it is frankly difficult to envisage any of the eleven having seriously troubled the judge in the big one.
Mike Bass’ Helderberg Blue was a popular choice on the betting boards but the R2,8 million son of Jet Master once again showed himself to be something of a brass and a major disappointment to his connections – and the punting public – with a modest fourth place.
But the day belonged to Dennis Drier’s topweight Punta Arenas who stripped a visibly fitter horse having his third run since an unplaced effort in the Met.
He has had three tilts at the July, his best being his close call to Power King in 2015.
Keagan De Melo
With Keagan De Melo giving the former Stan Elley trained galloper a positive ride from midfield as Serissa carted them along, they fanned for home with the favourite in the box seat and given every chance by Grant Van Niekerk.
With Alghadeer – after the Michael Holmes Bloodstock Super Sale owned by the Paddocks of PE – finishing well, Punta Arenas gunned down the midfield and was chased home by the New Zealand-bred filly The Centenary.
The gelding had a length to spare at the line and clocked a time of 133,81 secs.
Alghadeer stayed on well for third, with Helderberg Blue showing no fight and beaten into fourth.
Punta Arenas is a multiple Gr3 winner and has now won 6 races with 13 places from 42 starts for total stakes of R2 129 135.
A BSA National Yearling Sale R525 000 purchase, Punta Arenas is by Silvano out of the unraced Candy Stripe mare Peru (a half sister to star Paraca).
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Gr3 Delta Air Lines 2200 (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, July 2, R500k, 2200m, turf, good, 2.13.81
1 – PUNTA ARENAS (SAF), 60.0, b g 7, Silvano (GER) – Peru (SNL) by Candy Stripes (USA). Owner Messrs J H Drew & M I Fullard & Mrs C L Gabler; Breeder Maine Chance; trainer DR Drier; jockey K De Melo
2 – The Centenary (NZ), 55.5, b f 4, Mastercraftsman (IRE) – Diamantaire (NZ) by Montjeu (IRE)
3 – Alghadeer (SAF), 54.0, b g 4, Dynasty (SAF) – Typical (SAF) by Aristis (USA)
Margins: 1.00, 0.75, 0.10
