Time stands still as Smanjemanje just fails to nab Pomodoro
Veteran Gauteng trainer Tyrone Zackey reaffirmed the maxim ‘second sucks’ when his favourite equine son and public hero Smanjemanje, once tagged ‘the giantkiller’, was a winner of the 2012 Vodacom Durban July a stride before and a stride after the post. The now 8yo lines up in the R100 000 Kimberley 1400 at Flamingo Park today, where he tries the sand for the first time.
Apparently nobody ever remembers who ran second in life anywhere.
But that may not ring entirely true in the case of the present day Klawervlei stallion Pomodoro’s defeat of Smanjemanje in the 116th renewal of Africa’s greatest horserace. Certainly not for Tyrone Zackey, jockey Grant Van Niekerk and owners George Barker and Nadine and Kevin Backos, who have probably always pondered what so nearly could have been.
It has been a year since the Kahal gelding parted company with Tyrone Zackey in a restructure of the partnership for whom he had run his heart out in exactly 50 races.
Zackey was the man who fell in love with the R210 000 2yo at the Summerhill Ready To Run Sale in 2008 and guided him to within a heartbeat of scaling horseracing’s Everest and entrance to our hall of fame.
July, July, July
Astute judge – Trainer Tyrone Zackey – forecast a potemtial July winner early on
After winning on debut, it was three runs later in Ocober 2009, after he beat champion Pierre Jourdan and lost the race in the Turffontein boardroom, that Tyrone told the owners ‘I will win the July for you’.
That dream may not have come entirely true but the multiple group-winning Smanjemanje was to enjoy the distinction of being the then SA champion breeders Summerhill Stud’s leading moneyspinner of 2012.
On Monday he returns from a 15 week break for trainer Tienie Prinsloo and lumps 63,5kgs as he faces eleven less illustrious opponents. Smanjemanje, whose name translated from Zulu means ‘today’s style’, is frankly entitled to look down on them.
Questions
There is also no doubt that his presence may raise eyebrows in certain quarters. Some may see the move to the Northern Cape as a slap in the face for a loyal servant.
Let’s face it – Smanjemanje served his owners with distinction. No youngster, he now finds himself consigned to a career in the dusty backwaters of Kimberley. There can’t be too many near July winners in that part of the world. But he was always as sound as a bell, plagued only by a breathing issue that Tyron solved with a cornell collar.
Opposition
The fit Kiss Me Hardy was a runaway winner at the venue last month
Who can take on Smanjemanje?
Corne Spies’s 3yo Kiss Me Hardy was a runaway winner of last month’s Flamingo Park Sprint feature and is back for more.
The consistent son of Captain Al stayed on well for third behind the highly-rated Tiger Territory (fourth in the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur last Tuesday) and should relish the 1400m. He has fitness on his side and a favourable draw.
Ormond Ferraris has a very rare Kimberley runner in the 6yo Spectrum gelding Captain Haddock, whose career has been resurrected with his switch to the sand surface.
He has pulled a 2 draw and is a natural danger if he travels well.
Local Economy
Sarel Von Willingh Smit probably carries the major hopes of the stakes staying in the local economy.
Local hope – Stone Pine
His charge Stone Pine (also a Spectrum) has come good in the Northern Cape and goes for a third win in five starts. He receives weight from the top few and with Muzi Yeni in bright form, he is a must inclusion in the exotics.
Vernon Rugg’s Tribal Code is another consistent racer and meets Kiss Me Hardy on 4kgs better terms after being walloped 8,25 lengths by the Spies raider last time.
Corrie Lensley’s Tiger Ridge gelding Jaguar carries a galloping 52kgs and has been knocking at the door in recent runs.
This represents something of a jump in class for him but he is a quartet inclusion at best.
Class Act
We are going with the class.
And Tyrone Zackey once observed that Smanjemanje is ‘equally at home on the sand as he is on the turf.’
If he is just 75% fit, that’s good enough for us.
