Launch Pad. Valhalla(Ray Danielson) records an impressive win at 33-1.
Cape trainer Dean Kannemeyer has bucked the belt tightening trend so prevalent in the present economic climate. His bold step to open a satellite yard in tough times paid a first dividend at Scottsville on 15 November when Valhalla scored an exotic rocker of note when winning at 33-1. Besides representing a minor milestone for the stable, the Fort Wood filly’s win places a serious question mark against the relative strength of the KZN form.
Joey Ramsden and Glen Kotzen in KZN and Justin Snaith in the Eastern Cape, are the Cape trainers who have set the standard for successful satellite bases in seasons gone by and have had tremendous individual successes.
The financial dynamics and practicalities of running a small operation largely by remote control in a city 1700km from home base takes some planning and Kannemeyer’s strategy of providing a workable alternative for his owners in terms of a varied racing programming option and a more forgiving racing surface are to be commended and has been well received by his patrons. It could prove to be a strategic touch of genius in trying times – when horses need to be earning rather than standing in boxes waiting for suitable races or rain.
Much has been trumped and written about the Kannemeyer classic prospects this season after a quiet few years when his string lacked the quality of a genuinely smart three year old. This year the now retired legend Peekay’s 51 year old son appears to have an abundance of riches at his disposal. And it was surprising to many when he announced after the KZN Champions Season that he was opening a small satellite string at the Clairwood training facility under the vastly experienced eye of former jockey and trainer, Albie Going. This is the same yard from which Dean’s father trained many Gr1 winners on memorable raids from the early 1970’s on the East Coast and he himself plotted two Vodacom Durban July trophies in the first decade of the new millennium from the Garden course.
Their winner today will not harbour any illustrious Group race aspirations but the Cheveley Stud product lifted her game a good few notches in the MR83 Handicap over 1950m. A dinner auction buy, Valhalla races in the pink and white silks of the all-girl Les Belles Syndicate and was recording her second win from sixteen outings. She came through very smoothly when produced for a run down the middle and accounted for some fair females in Atair and Control Tower. The connections will have been pleased that they resisted the temptation to send her to stud after a flat patch in what looked like slightly weaker fillies company in the Cape. She made her KZN counterparts look rather ordinary today and the change of scenery and surface appears to have been a tonic for her new lease of life. She could go in again.
Two Stroke. Raymond Danielson rode a double on the afternoon.
Jockey Raymond Danielson, who rode a perfectly judged race on the Kannemeyer filly, recorded a Fort Wood double on the day having won the previous race on the way overdue Efistfull in the Oppenheimer silks for Gavin Van Zyl. The five year old mare has been a model of consistency and deserved her second win. She is a daughter of the brilliant Argentinian racemare Escolita Fitz and while she has a long road to run to step into her dam’s golden shoes, she could win a few more before going to stud.
Valhalla was Danielson’s tenth winner of the season and his first winner outside of the Charles Laird and Gavin Van Zyl yards. He is a very talented young rider but probably needs to buy himself a few air-tickets and to commence marketing his undeniable talents beyond KZN and Gauteng if he is hoping to make any real impact on the jockey log this season.
A raceday seldom passes with Anton Marcus not visiting the winner’s enclosure and he enjoyed an armchair ride on the first of the Glen Puller double on the day. The Meaker silks – Roy and Gladys also bred him – are carried by the very smart looking Silvano gelding Ice Machine who won the Maiden Plate over 1400m with ease. This was a follow-up on his odds-on debut second placed effort and Anton Marcus looks like he could stick with this upwardly mobile three year old. The Pullers also trained the shock winner of the MR78 Handicap over 2400m when Chase Maujean drove the 20-1 Lucky Star through for a second win from his 55th start. That is serious patience on the part of owner Dees Govender who has stayed loyal to his moderate six year old Opera King gelding.
Cool Customer. Anton Marcus guides Ice Machine to win easily.
Marcus closed the day to record a personal double when he rode a powerful finish on the fancied Winter Skye to a smooth but tense win in the MR74 Handicap over 1400m. The Charles Laird Western Winter gelding probably won easier than the official margin suggests, but trainer Paul Lafferty would have been pleased with the finishing burst produced of his runner Princeton who ran on from last for a promising second place. The Pick Six dividend paid a healthy R103 000 on a tough punting day.
