Attie – On The Road Again

What have Summer Pudding, Golden Ducat and Atyaab got in common as we count down to Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival?

The three Gr1 winners are the only mounts of Winning Form’s reigning SA Champion jockey Warren Kennedy on day 2 of the premier racing festival.

Atyaab and Zietsman Oosthuizen – on the road again (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)

While Summer Pudding and Golden Ducat are well established stars, there will be plenty of hometown interest from Port Elizabeth in their newsmaking hero Atyaab, aka Attie, who makes the nine hour journey with Choice Carriers from his Fairview home base to Milnerton on Friday morning, to contest the R150 000 Gr3 Okapi Chairman’s Cup.

After his arduous journey North in November to contest the WSB Summer Cup, Attie came away with his reputation and fan base intact after finishing ten lengths in sixth place behind SA Horse Of The Year, Summer Pudding.

The run was a meritorious effort, given the fact that he hadn’t raced in over nine months.

This weekend he travels a 25% shorter trip at sea level.

And he is right as rain for Saturday, according to his enthusiastic conditioner, Zietsman Oosthuizen, who says proudly that Warren Kennedy’s agent phoned for the ride.

“We decided not to race him at Fairview and have kept him ticking over and building his fitness in the interim,” Ziets told the Sporting Post on Wednesday.

Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s charge is quoted at 13-2 with Hollywoodbets for Saturday – Ziets says one can make a strong argument for Attie, a Gr1 winner at Kenilworth in his 3yo season.

“He finished third behind class-record time winner Doublemint in last year’s renewal. It’s a conditions race and he is well weighted. He is the only Gr1 winner in the field. We are going out fighting and competitive – and, as always, we are living on a prayer!” he declared.