Downing the jet – Act Of War storms home
The weekend turned out nearly as well as we could have expected with just one horse disappointing. This horse left me with a severe case of head scratching and a rather large bald patch. No one said this job was easy. However, it was great to see Act of War winning in such good style, beating my old friend and boss’s top class horse, MLJet.
We have not heard the last of him and I certainly won’t be resting on my laurels as far as he is concerned. Act of War had the most fantastic winter and we had a lovely run up into the race. I knew he would give us a big run; just how big I was not sure. Thankfully he answered all the questions I have been asking myself daily throughout the winter period. Touch wood he has pulled up well and hopefully he remains healthy and sound as we head him towards the Selangor Cup.
Sunday was another decent day for us with our middle-aged Disco Al putting in another smart performance and retaining his crown of the Algoa Cup. He did it in much the same way as he did last year but this time under Anton Marcus instead of Robbie Fradd. He just seems to get a little bit lost about 600m from home but then he finds another gear and picks it up again.
Disco Al – a good win in PE on Sunday
I feel he has matured and certainly turned into a better horse this year. Last year he returned from PE with a strange lung infection. It took us a while to identify and I will be trying to make sure we do not make the same mistake with him again this year. I feel he still has more in the tank and there is improvement still to come. We had our roving assistant trainer, Alson Ndzilana, acting for us in PE. He really does a fantastic job and it is good to see he is just as competent on the road as he was at running our Durban stables. He is certainly as good as any assistant we have been lucky to have.
Talking of assistants, it was good to see Ricardo Sobotker, known as Avo, back on top of a horse. He was once quite a reasonable jockey before taking up the reins of assistant trainer. He is back trotting and cantering a few of the easier ones. As with most things with Ricardo, it is steady away but I am expecting far bigger and better things from the big man in the near future. Our other assistant, Burger, and I were having a good chuckle when watching him. We are not sure whether this is Ricardo’s intent to shed the odd loose tyre round his belly so he might squeeze into his wedding suit for his upcoming marriage vows with his beautiful fiancée, Chantal.
Ricardo Sobotker – he is the slim guy on the left
There was even talk this morning of him having run round the soccer pitch near his home at Kenilworth last night but so far these reports are unconfirmed. We will have to send a few spies out to confirm the sighting. Sadly, I am not sure the eight roast potatoes he had with supper last night were a good thing but an athlete like Ricardo knows his own body. I am sure the pounds will start flying off, hopefully soon.
We will again be spreading our wings with a Ready to Run runner up in Johannesburg, Captain’s Orders. He was a little disappointing last run but we found a few problems and I am sure, if he travels well, he will give a really good account of himself. He is a horse which I really think is better than rated but shall have to wait and see how he travels before making any predictions. It is lovely to have a runner up there and for such huge prize money. Apart from the Ready to Run race, Johannesburg racing really gets going with the some exciting racing on the card which look well worth watching and following.
Certainly enough to keep all our Cape trainers on our toes for the upcoming season.
Again there are two sales this weekend with the CTS one on the Friday and the TBA one on the Sunday. The CTS sale will be held at the Inanda Club, famous polo grounds where I am sure there will be some exciting and innovative goings on. It will be interesting to see what is in store for us.
Sadly I shall only be able to attend the CTS one as it is my daughter, Holly’s, 8th birthday this weekend. Looking at her, she is growing into a fine young lady and it is difficult to understand where those eight years have really gone. I am sure, as always, she will have a great day and a great party. She usually starts planning and talking about her party from the evening of the previous year’s birthday party and throughout the year. One has to admire her enthusiasm and commitment.
Breeders Cup is this weekend and I am sure, like England’s Champions Day, they are suffering from a few late withdrawals. Wise Dan is certainly one of them and sadly before that, Variety Club. The mile now looks to be in the hands of one of Europe’s best known milers in the Richard Hannon trained Toronado. If Holly’s birthday party does not keep me busy enough, it looks to be a late night with racing on the West Coast of America keeping us up into the wee small hours of the morning.
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