Milnerton neighbours Joey Ramsden and Mike Bass added some much needed sparkle to a lifeless Kenilworth on Saturday afternoon with a hat-trick apiece. Bass continued his feature purple patch with the consistent Ernie reigning supreme in the R150 000 Listed Sophomore Sprint.
Grant van Niekerk has Ernie in full flight as Seventh Plain (obscured) chases for third place (Pic-Wayne Marks)
The Tequila Twins at Greyville on Friday evening and a sextet of spectators at Kenilworth on Saturday afternoon are literally night and day in terms of the on-course atmosphere and buzz and despite a decent card of some quality, there is obviously little perceived entertainment appeal in attending races on Tweede Nuwe Jaar in the Cape, with a few weeks of major racing entertainment in the offing.
Mike Bass – feature double from Diadem and a hat trick of winners
The Listed Sophomore was the day’s headliner, moved from its’ traditional September schedule, and with eight of the nine runners chasing a berth in the forthcoming CTS Million Dollar, the race had the makings of a fascinating spectacle – and it did not disappoint watchers.
Dennis Drier’s dual Gr1 winner Seventh Plain was installed favourite on the strength of his improved fitness following Budapest wiping the floor with his reputation in the CTS Million Dollar when he found himself 5,75 lengths adrift in fourth.
But things didn’t pan out for Seventh Plain, who was given every chance down the inside rail by Anton Marcus, but found himself outpaced and outgunned by Ernie and the promising Puller galloper Illuminator.
Ernie had moved up at the 400m and took the fight to his opposition as Illuminator looked to have plenty of catching up to do and with Seventh Plain within striking distance.
Grant Van Niekerk – riding the crest of a wave
Inside the final 200m, it was clear that the rampant Grant van Niekerk had Ernie en route to a first stakes win with only Illuminator kicking on.
In the drive to the wire, Ernie was 0,75 lengths clear, having clocked 72,18 secs for the 1200m.
Ernie proved the handicapper on the mark after having gone up nine points for his last win.
Illuminator showed sprinting could be his forte and finished nicely, getting the better of the disappointing Seventh Plain by a neck, to run into second.
Recent Need For Speed winner Tar Heel failed to prove as effective over the extra 200m and ran out of the money while the pacemaker Forward Drive faded badly.
It has been a super four weeks for trainer Mike Bass since Silver Mountain won the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas.
Joey Ramsden- hat trick of winners
He has added the silverware for the Gr2 Diadem Stakes, the Gr2 Premier Trophy and the Listed Memorial Mile to his already extensive collection of feature trophies.
Ernie has won 4 of his 12 starts with 6 places and R297 300 in stakes.
He was purchased by Mike Bass Racing for just R80 000 on the 2014 CTS March Yearling Sale.
Ernie is a second crop son of Fort Wood stallion Elusive Fort out of the one-time winning Captain Al mare, Betty Burke – who raced in the winning breeder, Peter de Beyer’s silks for the now Australian-based, Stephen Page, during her racing career.
The CTS Million Dollar is panning out into a thriller and is no cut-and-dried affair at this stage.
