In the best finish of the afternoon, just a long neck separated the first three runners home in Saturday’s R150 000 Listed Derby Trial at Turffontein.
The race was marred by an accident which looks likely to cost top jockey Gavin Lerena the best part of ten weeks of his season.
Gambado (centre, Randall Simons) pips Forafewdollarsmore (blue blinkers) while Cash Time (Piere Strydom) flies up the outside (Pic – JC Photos)
After Wondrous Climber had led the charge for home, Walter Smoothie moved up looking dangerous, but was soon swallowed up by Forafewdollarsmore (Lyle Hewitson), Cash Time (Piere Strydom) and the staying on Gambado.
With Gambado splitting the other two, Randall Simons dup deep in a blanket flash across the line.
The photo revealed that a short head separated Gambado and Forafewdollarsmore, with Cash Time, who had obviously found the Guineas on the sharp side, right there a head away in third.
All of the top three should relish the extra of the Derby.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the Alec Laird-trained Gambado is a gelded son of Mambo In Seattle (Kingmambo) out of the unraced Solo Dancer (Al Mufti). The winner’s half-sister by Silvano won up to 2500m.
This was Gambado’s first try at 2000m and he came through the test with flying colours.
There is only one Mambo In Seattle on next week’s CTS April Yearling Sale – see #192 – a Nutfield Stud colt out of five time-winner Size ‘Em Up (Hard Up), who won the Listed Ladies Mile.
