Savage Winds scores runaway win in Hennenman Memorial Plate (JC Photos)
Trainer Joey Soma continued his recent form resurgence when he saddled a winning double from his six runners at Turffontein on Sunday. An impressive victory by the seemingly still untapped talent that is the Eyeofthetiger gelding Savage Wind in the R120 000 Hennenman Memorial Pinnacle Stakes, was no doubt the highlight of the day.
We have observed previously in these columns that Soma wears his heart on his sleeve and he was most bold during a preview of the meeting on the Under Starter’s Orders Show on Tellytrack, suggesting that it could be a big day for a small yard.
In a field of only seven runners, the possibility of a crawl over the 2600m journey was also likely, but things turned out differently with the pace on from the get go with Mirage Drive taking them along at an honest clip.
Anthony Delpech receives his trophy from Tyrone Fourie (JC Photos)
Savage Wind came forward galloping strongly early in the home run and despite carrying 1 kg over for the services of Delpech, but won like a true professional stayer by 3,25 lengths in a time of 163,60 secs.
The 50 to 1 no hoper The Who, who was in under sufferance, plodded into second, with Baracah disappointing in third.
Anthony Delpech said that the solid pace had played into his hands and had made them carry their weight . He was referring here to Piere Strydom on the 13 to 10 favourite Baracah, who carried 7kgs more than Savage Wind.
“My horse gave me a nice kick at the 500m marker and ran all the way to the line,” said Delpech.
The winning trophy was handed over by Tyrone Fourie, son of the late ‘Rooies’ Fourie, who was one of the 24 people to perish when the United Airways charter flight went down on 12 April 1988.
Trainer Joey Soma said that he had always felt that it would be hard for Baracah to give so much weight away.
“Savage Wind has always felt a lot better than a one time winner. I am thrilled for the owners but it is a bitter sweet day in many respects. But this is also what makes racing great. The people are always there for one another in the hard times, no matter what,” he said.
Clyde Basel thanked the RA and Phumelela for creating the platform for the families and the industry to pay tribute to the memory of the dead.
“It is great to see so many families come back. As time goes on one gets stronger but we still miss them all terribly,” he said.
Joey Soma had a good day with a double
Savage Wind was bred by Riverton Stud and is by Eyeofthetiger out of the three time winning Fine Edge mare, South Trade.
He is a R150 000 National Two Year Old Sale graduate and has now won 2 races with 4 places from 18 starts for stakes of R155 075.
Savage Wind has been a frustrating horse to train and to own. His previous attempts over ground have produced little but he is maturing and this was a professional performance.
As a 4yo he has plenty of time left to establish himself as a reasonable staying sort.
Soma and Delpech rounded off their double, but left it rather late as Bee Keeper scored a narrow win in the last race.
