Trainer Juan Nel had a very good day at the office on Tuesday, first celebrating his maiden career treble and then going on to make it four on the day at Fairview, where eight races were contested on the Polytrack.
Halfway through the meeting, Nel was already victorious with Wolfgang in Race 2, a MR90 Handicap over 1200m, as well as with Lets Rock in the fourth, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m.
Louis Mxothwa opens the Nel four-timer on Fred Crabbia’s Wolfgang in the second race (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Tabnews reports that, of the two, it was the Crusade filly’s first win which excited Nel the most.
“She ran second in her penultimate and then she pulled up lame with Louis (Mxothwa). I was absolutely devastated,” said the trainer.
“But we went easy with her and gave her a bit of time, and she’s come back.
“I didn’t expect her to win today, but we take any win the way they come,” said Nel.
Nel added that, given a bit of time, this filly will definitely be adding to her tally of winners.
Nel’s third winner popped up in Race 6, a FM70 Handicap over 1000m, where Variety Breeze caused quite an upset, hunting down favourite Lady Catherine over the last 200m and reversing a 2-length deficit into a 1 length victory.
Many punters had considered Lady Catherine the best bet on the day to see them through the exotic bets, but that was not to be and there were only 57-odd tickets left in the Pick 6 after Variety Breeze’s upset victory.
What made this Var filly’s victory even more remarkable, is that it was not only her first run for Nel after moving from Brett Crawford’s Cape Town outfit, but her introduction to the Polytrack.
After the race, Nel started off by welcoming owner Joey Foo-kune to his stable, as it is the first horse he’s training for him.
“I’m very happy for Joey,” said Nel.
“She’s won a good race here and I’m very pleased with her.”
Natural Jade rounded off Nel’s most successful day to date in the lucky last.
