I Lake It! Karis Teetan keeps Badger Lake going to win the Listed Durbanville Cup at Kenilworth on Saturday 24 November
Trainer Joey Ramsden paid tribute to his overworked treadmill after his three runners filled the top three positions in Saturday’s R125 000 Listed Durbanville Cup run over 3200m at Kenilworth. The Englishman proved again that there is no substitute for fitness when it comes to dominating these staying events.
The supporting feature of the afternoon attracted only seven runners and the race itself was characterised by a variation of disciplines that included walking, cantering and a touch of galloping in the middle stages and the finish.
This resulted in a circus of swings and roundabouts of shared leads and a jumbled running order.
Ultimately winning jockey Karis Teetan deserves full credit for bucking riding instructions by taking the initiative and choosing to go out and do his own thing. It certainly did the trick and got Badger Lake back into winning ways.
The Head On. Badger Lake is in the orange silks. (hamish niven photography)
Mike Stewart’s Hospitality almost unseated jockey Sean Cormack as the gates opened and Jeppe’s Reef led A Boy Named Sue first time past the post, just ahead of Crown Of Gold, with the favourite In Writing just shading Badger Lake and Grey Cossack.
The pace slowed down ridiculously around the first turn as Hospitality took over to lead Jeppe’s Reef and A Boy Named Sue.
At the 2000m marker MJ Byleveld decided the pace was just too slow and he took A Boy Named Sue up ahead of Hospitality and with Teetan suddenly getting down to work on Badger Lake.
Going into the back straight, Badger Lake took over from a Boy Named Sue and Hospitality, with Jeppe’s Reef ahead of Crown Of Gold, In Writing and Grey Cossack. This was to be the move that ultimately won the race as Teetan discovered his mount dropped the bit and enjoyed showing the way.
They held that order into the final turn where Teetan gave Badger Lake a bit of rein and quickened things up a bit.
Great Ride. Karis Teetan showed initiative in winning the Listed Durbanville Cup today
Into the home straight Badger Lake continued to gallop strongly as Hospitality faded and only Crown Of Gold found any form of finish, as he chased his stablemate all the way to the line.
Badger Lake won by a half length in a time of 208,66 secs – which is 4,24 seconds outside the course record.
A thrilled Joey Ramsden confirmed afterwards that his three charges did ‘many miles on the treadmill week in and week out.’
He confirmed that the winner was a sound, clean- limbed easy horse to train, but was a ‘bit of a softie with plenty of problems.’
The disappointment of the race was Gold Cup winner In Writing who was never in the hunt and languished at the rear for most of the trip. His rider’s tactics were surprising as he has enjoyed running out front previously.
Bred by Moutonshoek, Badger Lake is by Badger’s Drift out of the Mistral Dancer mare, Swan Star.
A R90 000 Vintage graduate, who changed ownership in his 3yo year, Badger Lake is now a winner of 6 of his 25 starts for 3 places, with gross career stake earnings totalling R332 025.
As the saying goes – when they stay, one always has a chance.
With confidence now restored, Badger Lake will likely be aimed at the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap on 22 December and then, aches and pains permitting, straight into the J&B Reserve Stayers on Met day.
