A change of riding tactics, inspired by former international champion jockey Basil Marcus, was the key to the consistent Dance Variety’s gun-to-tape victory in Tuesday’s Non Black-Type R200 000 Easter Handicap at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Corne Orffer steers Dance Variety to a deserved win over Mufasa (Louis Mxothwa) in the Tuesday feature (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“I was chatting to my Dad before races and he pointed out that we would do best to lead as there was no pace in the race after the scratching of Mr Marshall’s horse. I was worried as Dance Variety has dug his toes in when forced to lead in the past,” added delighted trainer Adam Marcus, who took of advantage the advice from his vastly experienced father and left the balance up to the in-form Corne Orffer, who picked up three winners on the sunny post long weekend Tuesday afternoon.
A model of consistency, the 4yo Dance Variety went into the 1100m feature an 8-10 favourite, and gave a solid display up front as he never looked like being beaten.
Inside the final 200m he was shaken up by Orffer and stayed on best to beat the ever-present Mufasa (10-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 66,13 secs.
Former Equus champion Rio Querari (13-2) was a further three quarters of a length back in third.
Bred by Sherwin Jerrier, who races him in partnership with Mr A Singh, Dance Variety is a son of late speed champion Var (Forest Wildcat) out of the unraced Trippi mare, Trippitango.
A winner of 5 races with 9 places from his 19 starts, Dance Variety has earned R545 063 and went through the Cape Premier Yearling Sale ring for R250 000.
Corne Orffer’s earlier winners was an Andre Nel and Plattner home-bred double – O’Tenikwa winning the opener on debut, while overdue maiden Ice Rain asserted her authority in the fourth. Both are by Vercingetorix.
