Glen Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Team threw any Friday 13th caution or nerves to the wind, and travelled up the Garden Route to claim a sparkling victory in the R350 000 World Sports Betting East Cape Derby at Fairview on Friday.
The big win came in the form of the clearly talented Pathfork gelding Chollima who built on his solid Cape form to storm home from last in the straight to win with something in hand.
Corne Orffer partnered the Pathfork (Distorted Humor) gelding who gave Paarl trainer Glen Kotzen a second victory in the race after Captain Cook won it for owner Juan van Heerden back in 2006.
Chollima storms in under Corne Orffer to beat Peace In Our World (JP van der Merwe) in a top finish (Pic -Pauline Herman)
Chollima looked the right one but started a generous 7-2.
He stormed forward early in the home strip and held his advantage to the line to beat local hope Peace In Our World (20-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 149,94 secs.
The Snaith’s Top Quality (11-2) moved up dangerously but had to be content with third, a further 1,25 lengths back.
Bred by Dr Veronique Kritzinger, the winner is out of the unraced Silvano mare Chillon.
Now a winner of 2 races with 6 places from 15 starts, Chollima took his stakes bank to R380 150.
A peach of a purchase for just R50 000 at the 2020 BSA Mistico Yearling Sale by the astute Glen Kotzen, Chollima looks a candidate for better things and the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes at Kenilworth at the end of June could be next.
