Normanz shows he is on way back with resounding win in the In Full Flight Stakes
Trainer Charles Laird may just have done enough to have qualified his smart 3yo Normanz for the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint at Scottsville next month. The speedy son of Var swept aside some top sprinters to win the R135 000 Listed In Full Flight Handicap at Clairwood on Sunday, despite being in under sufferance.
Normanz showed the form of his excellent recent running on third to Schiffer in the Var trifecta of the Easter Dash to be spot on.
The 2013 Gr3 Godolphin Barb winner has been nursed back to his best by a patient Charles Laird and impressed, even on joint bottomweight against some good sorts.
The favourite Divine Jet disappointed again after taking a bump from Garibondy at the jump and was never in the hunt.
Normanz on the other hand was swiftly away and he showed electrifying toe hard against the outside rail.
Normanz swept forward and repelled the gallant challenge by Barbosa to win going away by 0,75 lengths in a time of 62,98 secs for the 1100m trip.
In a good race for Avontuur, another of their products finished third when Tevez stayed on well.
One of Mike Bass’ runners in Castlethorpe was last going into the 400m and came through to run a decent enough fourth.
Charles Laird trained the winner
Winning rider Athandiwe Mgudlwas over the moon and said that he was upbeat and confident coming into the race: “He is a strong galloper and was doing it comfortably. This was a very courageous win and I appreciate the chance,’ he said.
Trainer Charles Laird said that the yard were expecting big run : “ It is not our style to race 2kgs under sufferance and I thought this was a tough and competitive field. opefully he has done enough to get into the Gr1 next month,” he said.
Normanz was bred by Avontuur and is by Var out of the American Chance mare, La Normandie.
His half brother Tripandie (by Trippi) was bought for R3 million by Dean Kannemeyer at the 2013 NYS.
La Normandie has a full brother to Normanz at foot and is in foal to Silvano.
He sold for R650 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1.
Normanz should now go on and fufill his 2yo promise.
