No Problems! Why Worry(Richard Fourie) gets up to win the Gr3 Winter Classic.
Trainer Justin Snaith capitalised on a lack of local resistance to bring a gelding back from the more sedentary climes of Eastern Cape racing and claim the second leg of the Rossgo Winter Series at Kenilworth on Sunday. Why Worry won the R184 000 Gr3 Tekkie Town Winter Classic run over 1800m in convincing fashion.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the Snaith’s Garden Route Shuttle runs seven days a week between the Mother City and Port Elizabeth. They rotate horses and optimise programming opportunities on a grand scale and Sunday’s winner falls into the rather clever, but not necessarily rocket science, category.
‘Go where the pickings are easiest’, certainly makes common commercial sense for owners.
The 2012 Winter Classic did not boast what could be termed a vintage crop of three year olds. Or, just maybe, history may prove us wrong on that score. Lest we forget that a gelding by the name of Pocket Power accounted for a Ramsden grey called Silver Mist in this very race exactly six years ago to the day. That was only the Pocket’s fourth win, and what we could term the calm before the storm. That said, it is difficult to envisage any of today’s eleven participants going on to make their mark on South African horseracing.
Joey Ramsden ironically had another ‘Silver’ in the race. The chestnut Silver Haven found himself a reluctant early leader but Aldo Domeyer saw the dawdle as an opportunity for some creative initiative and he streaked clear on the Yogas Govender-trained Winter Dynasty to add some respectability to the proceedings.
Classic Ride. Richard Fourie rode Why Worry to win the Gr3 Winter Classic today.
Turning for home Winter Dynasty drifted to the centre of the track and folded tamely as challenges came from all around him. Laurie’s Gold flattered briefly and looked dangerous as Hill Fifty Four launched his run down the inside, as MJ Byleveld looked to have ridden the perfect finish.
But Richard Fourie had been winding the crankhandle on Why Worry and the Snaith galloper chipped away doggedly at Hill Fifty Four’s advantage, eventually getting the better of the consistent Marshall colt by a half length.
Laurie’s Gold proved that the 1400m is probably more his game than this test of stamina, by staying on for a non-threatening third, while the Fred Crabbia-owned Super Seven ran a great race under sufferance, to finish fourth.
Why Worry capped a great weekend for Justin Snaith, who besides his four winners at Kenilworth, enjoyed a memorable Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint performance by the brilliant Ebony Flyer on Saturday.
The son of Casey Tibbs had run a cracking good fourth in the Gr3 East Cape Derby at Fairview two weeks ago behind the highly thought of Tribal Dance, and he obviously relished the sting out of the officially ‘good to soft’ Kenilworth ground with its penetrometer reading of 24 under glorious winter blue skies.
Why Worry may well have earned a reprieve from his proposed Mauritius escapade and now looks an ideal sort for the Winter Derby. He is no star, but is versatile and tries his hardest.
The 5-2 favourite Final Button looked slung in at the weights, but fizzled to nothing and finished 12,90 lengths off the winner. He probably didn’t stay the trip. Joey Ramsden may also have good reason to despair at the disappointment that is Silver Haven. The once promising son of Silvano ran poorly to finish 13,20 lengths behind.
Winter Dynasty ran a bizarre race in the frustrating lack of pace circumstances, and he may also warrant another chance, when ridden with more restraint. Vaughan Marshall’s Mystic Jet ran stone last 21,20 lengths off the winner. He is patently not ready for even average Group race competition.
Why Worry was bred by longstanding Snaith supporter Marie Fowler, out of the Fowler’s game Jungle Warrior mare, She Warrior – also a Snaith stable inmate in her day.
Why Worry has now earned R241 388 from his 3 wins and 5 places from 12 career starts.
Too Wright! Dancing Dynasty(Gareth Wright) wins the Listed Cat Stormsvlei Mile.
The R115 000 Listed Cat Stormsvlei Mile was run earlier and produced a shock result when the Stephen Page-trained Dancing Dynasty powered through late under Gareth Wright to withstand the strong challenge of the Darryl Hodgson-trained Rivatorio and the improved Madame Rooney.The result made a mockery of the official handicapper’s ratings, with the favourite Golden Dawn, who stood out head and shoulders above the rest, fading out to nothing.
The winning daughter of Dynasty went off at 50-1 and destroyed the dreams of the majority of Pick6 and Jackpot punters. She was bred by her owners Mr & Mrs G N Pott and is out of the four-time winning Northfields mare, Southern Pride. This was her second win from five starts for total career earnings of R111 630.
Result:
Tekkie Town Winter Classic (SAf-G3) (5/27)
Kenilworth, South Africa, May 27, R184.000, 1800m, turf, good, 1.53.97 (CR
1.48.98).
WHY WORRY (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Casey Tibbs (IRE) – She Warrior (SAF) by
Jungle Warrior (SAF). Owner M C Fritz, I Naidoo, Jono Snaith and H G
Theunissen; breeder M A Fowler; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie (122.000)
Hill Fifty Four (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Sports Dance (SAF) by
Sportsworld
Laurie’s Gold (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Silvano (GER) – Park Lane (SAF) by
Elliodor (FR)
Margins: ½, 1½, 3¾
Also ran: Super Seven (AUS) 58.0, Barossa Valley (SAF) 58.0, Stone Pine
(SAF) 58.0, Final Button (SAF) 58.0, Silver Haven (SAF) 58.0, Winter Dynasty
(SAF) 58.0, Atamasco (SAF) 58.0, Mystic Jet (SAF) 58.0
