What a great weekend’s racing up in Johannesburg with the Summer Cup. The weather held and it was good to see a splattering of races going round to all the trainers. It was great to see Brutal Force, affectionately known as Fatty, put in a really good performance, writes Joey Ramsden.
He basically did it from start to finish and I thought that was impressive over the Turffontein nearly 1200m.
He is a smashingly kind horse and he holds a strong place in all our hearts, particularly in Derek’s son, Jack, who cannot believe something that fat can run so fast.
I have to say I agree with him. This horse is an absolute smasher and I was extremely proud of him. A big well done to Alson, my assistant in Joburg, and to Matthew for working so closely with him.
It really was a privilege to be there.
Well done to Mike for winning the Dingaans with Noah from Goa.
Weichong Marwing on the 2nd placed horse, New Predator, gave nothing away and it was a very good ride but, for once, I think Delpech got the better of him.
He sat and sat, cool as a cucumber. He could have gone past him a bit earlier in the straight but I think Delpech knew that once he went past New Predator, there was a good chance he would come back at him and beat him.
He had to wait and knew he only had one chance to get past him. So he waited, timed it perfectly and won it. It was a fantastic display between two of the best jockeys in the world and gave me goose bumps. Full marks to both trainers and in particular to two great jockeys.
Sadly our Summer Cup horses did not run very well.
I am a complete and utter non-believer in second run after a lay off, particularly when they are fit first time back and run well. However, that is all I can put St Tropez’s below par run down to.
It was really strange. He looked really well and I have no other excuse for him. Anton loves him and tells me he is a top horse but I cannot help but feel really disappointed.
St Tropez – second run after rest victim?
Disco Al did not look as well and his coat had completely turned for some reason. This is strange as it is the middle of summer and Joburg is having a heat wave. Anyway, they will be coming back to Cape Town and having a well deserved holiday. Joburg was hot and humid and I was extremely pleased to get out of there and back to the Cape even though we have had a heat wave here the past couple of days.
There are plenty of fresh things happening down here with draws after acceptances again. Let’s hope this will help to improve the field sizes again. I know one thing: going onto the longer run in will certainly do one part of the job and I cannot wait.
It was disappointing to see Cold As Ice get beaten at Wolverhampton.
I had a chat with her trainer, William Haggas, and he felt that he had maybe underdone her a bit. I am sure she will bounce back and show us all what a top filly she really is.
Cold As Ice – she must bounce back
It is hard to believe that school holidays are almost here again. I will have my two “rat bags” running around the stables again. I am very much looking forward to it as they bring so much fun and laughter to the yard.
It is Fillies Guineas week and Mike Bass looks to have an extremely strong hand in it.
It would be a fairytale come true for him and his team to win it.
One thing is for certain: de Kock is trying extremely hard and bringing down a strong string. I know he loves racing in the Cape and I know he loves beating us down here so it is always good to see him raid. It is quite interesting: they always say we don’t go up to Joburg but the tables seem to be turning a little bit: more of us seem to be pitching up to race in the big smoke than them coming down here to take our money. It is nearly a complete switch around.
The soccer season gets more and more exciting with Manchester United managing to bore the socks off us even further.
If they spend any more money in the January transfer window, none of us will have to reach for the Stilnox at night.
It just goes from bad to worse.
Leicester City just keeps getting better and better.
It was fantastic to see a player like Jamie Vardy come from nowhere to beat one of the world’s greatest in Ruud van Nistelrooy to his goal-scoring record. It just goes to show that dreams can be achieved it one tries hard enough.
One thing is for certain: we are lacking a little in our dreams so we are just going to have to try harder.
Maybe I am just going to have to go to bed earlier at night.
Read the full story on www.joeyramsden.com
