The Cape jockeys’ favourite rein wrestling game of hurry up and wait made something of a mockery of the R250 000 Gr3 Winter Derby at Kenilworth on Saturday. But even though the race was run in a slow time, it would probably be unfair to suggest that the winner is not a very decent improving 3yo with a bright future.
Heaven is a winning ride! Robert Khathi salutes as Elusive Silva storms home (Pic – Wayne Marks)
The Snaith Racing team were in dazzling form on the beautiful Cape winter afternoon and celebrated an Oaks-Derby double as the underrated Winning Form-sponsored Robert Khathi produced Elusive Silva off a mostly muddling pace halfway down the home straight to win going away.
The win was a real triumph for loyalty in a cut-throat world as Justin Snaith recalled how tempted they had been to replace Khathi with Richard Fourie, when he became available.
“We were very tempted to give Richard a chance but Robert had worked the horse and he was determined. He asked us to give him the opportunity and said that he would bring him home. In the end he did nothing wrong, and he is a jockey who could realise his dreams – if he just went in the right direction and decided where he wanted to be,” said an elated Snaith.
Justin Snaith – gave Robert Khathi a nice chance
He added that they had fancied Elusive Silva to be a big runner in the East Cape Derby and had a subtle dig at Bernard Fayd’herbe’s ride there.
“Elusive Silva hit the front at the top of the straight at Fairview. He doesn’t run like that. He has to be produced late,” he said.
A line had also been drawn through Elusive Silva’s penultimate start in the Winter Classic.
“Everybody went to the outside that day. He ran on steadily down the inside. That was a decent effort. On Saturday we knew that if we had him right, he would win.”
In the absence of the rising star Marinaresco on Durban July duty, the race had an open look with nine runners lining up at the 2400m marker to do battle.
But arms out of the sockets was the only battle as they all clung on for dear life as the gates were sprung for the Derby dawdle.
Robert Khathi
Grant Behr commendably took the initiative and had Cape Classic winner Eighth Wonder eventually bowling along out front in what was probably a diversion from the original tactical plan.
With Eighth Wonder quickening things up slightly in the run for home and East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid going out the back door, it was left to Robert Khathi to produce Elusive Silva with a nice turn of foot and nab Eighth Wonder inside the 200m.
The broad smiling Khathi saluted triumphantly at the line as he had 2 lengths to spare over the gallant Ennion pacesetter, Eighth Wonder.
The winning time was a pedestrian 155,89 secs.
Greg Ennion – saddled the second and third placed finishers
Greg Ennion’s string are in fine form and he also saddled the third placed Roman Discent, for a R38-60 stable swinger.
The well fancied Whisky Baron, who was runner up in the first two legs of the Winter Series, plodded in the straight and ran a modest fourth, 3,15 lengths behind the winner.
Off a moderate gallop, Bernard Fayd’herbe had him wide into the straight and this would have done the Australian-bred colt’s prospects no favours.
The Nutfield Stud-bred Elusive Silva was a R375 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy.
He is nicely bred to go over a bit of ground, being a son of Silvano out of the one-time winning Fort Wood mare, Esprit.
He took his earnings to R286 750 at his third win with 3 places from 9 starts and should be a decent Cape summer season prospect next term.
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Gr3 Winter Derby (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, June 25, R250k, 2400m, turf, soft, 2.35.89
1 – ELUSIVE SILVA (SAF), 59.0, ch c 3, Silvano (GER) – Esprit (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Messrs E G Bouwer, E A Braun, P S Loomes & K P Truter; Breeder Nutfield Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Khathi
2 – Eighth Wonder (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Great Wall (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
3 – Roman Discent (SAF), 59.0, b g 3, Dynasty (SAF) – Toga (SAF) by Caesour (USA)
Margins: 2.00, 0.75, 0.40
