Patience rewarded was the message to come out of the lightly raced Balance Sheet’s outstanding victory in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup as trainer Dean Kannemeyer and jockey Anthony Delpech maintained their extraordinary strike rate in KZN.
Anthony Delpech steers Balance Sheet to a convincing win over Helderberg Blue (Grant van Niekerk)
The power combination has proven a force to be reckoned with and they were in the limelight again when the 2015 Gold Cup runner-up Balance Sheet showed he is ready for bigger things with a hard-earned win.
“I am going to discuss the plans for July day with the owners. The only time Balance Sheet has gone past 2000m was in the Gold Cup last year, where he ran such a cracker. Personally I am leaning towards the Gold Vase – and then on to the Gold Cup. But the Consolation July or the July itself also remain options. Let’s see where we go with the draws and we will decide,” he said.
Kannemeyer said that he was particularly pleased that Balance Sheet had won so well at just his third run after a long rest – “Marsh and Bryn (Ressell) have been so patient and real soldiers,” he added.
Owner Marsh Shirtliff – strong hand on July day
And for Cape-based owner Marsh Shirtliff, who also has the exciting Winter Classic winner Marinaresco, the Vodacom Durban July is taking shape. His familiar pink, white and blue silks were carried by the top two finishers in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, with the Mike Bass-trained Helderberg Blue chasing Balance Sheet home.
Mike De Kock’s Alghadeer led his field for a long way at a decent clip from Serissa and the grey Penhaligon, who was stalked by Helderberg Blue.
Balance Sheet was relaxed about eight lengths back in midfield.
Into the home run, Delpech took Balance Sheet down the inside as he went for broke.
Into the 300m Balance Sheet galloped strongly chased by Helderberg Blue, with the revitalised No Worries also coming on strongly.
With Delpech riding at peak confidence, Balance Sheet stayed on best to hold Helderberg Blue to a quarter length in a decent time of 149,91 secs.
Dean Kannemeyer – stable in fine form
No Worries was a further 0,75 lengths back in third, with Crime Victim and the winner’s stablemate Solar Star catching the eye with storming late runs in fourth and fifth respectively.
A typically modest jockey Anthony Delpech played down his expertise and showed the signs of a rider in top form- “Sometimes things just work out. I really don’t know how we got ourselves into that strong position from the wide draw!” he said.
Balance Sheet was bred by Riyo Stud and is a 4yo gelded son of Silvano out of the unraced Al Mufti mare Vita-Louise.
A well bought R300 000 National Yearling Sale graduate he took his earnings to R609 275 with his fourth win (with 4 places) from 14 starts.
Decisions will be made as regards Balance Sheet’s short-term plans. The connections certainly have plenty of exciting options to consider.
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Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, May 28, R250k, 2400m, turf, good, 2.29.91
1 – BALANCE SHEET (SAF), 57.5, b g 4, Silvano (GER) – Vita-Louise (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA). Owner Messrs Bryn Ressell & N M Shirtliff; Breeder Riyo Stud; trainer D Kannemeyer; jockey A Delpech
2 – Helderberg Blue (SAF), 60.0, b g 5, Jet Master (SAF) – Our Table Mountain (USA) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA)
3 – No Worries (SAF), 59.0, ch g 6, Kahal (GB) – Coastal Waltz (SAF) by Rambo Dancer (USA)
Margins: 0.25, 0.75, 0.15
