Pure Brawn! Ocean's Swift wears the Lady's Slipper
The Western Cape visitors enjoyed mixed fortunes at Fairview on Friday 17 June. Justin Snaith’s smart Captain Al filly Ocean’s Swift won the R120 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper over 1400m but the R125 000 Listed PE Gold Cup run over 3600m was an entirely different story though.
Glen Hatt riding the favourite Bluemambo in South Africa’s longest race made the pace for 3000m and then fell in a large hole, eventually finishing tailed off.
An absolute shocker. That is the only way to describe the run of the Kitalpha gelding who has been in fair form of late, after flattering to deceive for much of his career. And we discussed the phenomenon of emotional favouritism just yesterday and why punters allow themselves to be swayed by perceptions rather than form. Bluemambo had no real claim to the price he went off at and the local horses showed the visitor a thing or two about real stamina.
Key Castle was the eventual winner at 11-1 and this courageous son of Qui Danzig was recording a deserved tenth win. Trained by Jacques Strydom and ridden by apprentice Grant Van Niekerk, he held on well to thwart the late charge of the consistent French Pearl. Cape trainer Joey Ramsden would have experienced mixed feelings here as he owns the filly but also used to train Key Castle for Gisela Burg and Martin Wickens. Corne Spies trains the third horse, Campo De Santana, who looked dangerous but lacked puff late.
Justin Snaith has yet another smart two year old filly on his hands in Ocean’s Swift who gave Aldo Domeyer an armchair ride to win the Lady’s Slipper. The recent maiden winner was having only her fifth outing and her post-maiden run when she won this event in good fashion. She was bred by her proud part -owner Etienne Braun (although the records show Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud) and looks to have loads of ability.
The impressive Windrush colt In A Rush went off odd-on favourite to win his fifth in a row, in the opening event, a Juvenile Plate over 1400m but failed in his first attempt beyond 1200m as he was comprehensively beaten by the obviously smart Act Of Supremacy. The winner was making it two from two and the son of Badger’s Drift has an electrifying turn of foot. In A Rush should not be written off and has probably earned a break after running every month this year so far.
