Richard Fourie drives Sunset Tripp up on the rail to held Seven Grand (middle) and Moonsong Magic (Pic: Bay Media)
Justin Snaith and his stable jockey Richard Fourie put the disappointment of Greyville on Saturday behind them in cavalier style when Trippi’s smart chestnut daughter Sunset Tripp swooped late down the rail to grab honours in a multiple short head finish to the R150 000 Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes at Kenilworth on Sunday.
The 1400m feature was the first leg of the R600 000 Winter Series for 3-year-old fillies and attracted a decent twelve strong field, which included the added interest of two visiting jockeys in Gavin Lerena and Anton Marcus, who did duty for the Adam Marcus yard.
Richard Fourie rode a cracker
The grandstand finish saw the versatile Fourie,who had ridden a peach of a race from the front on Greg Ennion’s Revved Up in the previous event over 2500m, at his brilliant best as he burgled an unlikely victory, with his colleagues Greg Cheyne (Moonsong Magic) and Grant Van Niekerk (Seven Grand) seeming to have only each other to be concerned about.
The start was delayed by Crystal Cavern, who appeared to have been caught up awkwardly in her stall. She was removed and reloaded and the field was sprung on terms, except for Cat And The Moon who lost a few lengths in the hands of replacement rider, Robert Khathi.
Anton Marcus took Fear Not up to lead Sunset Tripp and In Limine, with Harvard Crimson and Seven Grand further back.
Into the straight and the final 400m, Fear Not continued to roll but came under pressure as Grant Van Niekerk produced Seven Grand with a sustained run.
At the 250m marker the stage was set for a thriller as Greg Cheyne brought Moonsong Magic up the outside to snap at Seven Grand’s heels, as Fear Not dug deep and Sunset Tripp ghosted through on the inside rail.
Justin Snaith – happier day at Kenilworth after Saturday at Greyville
With the likely winner anybody’s call inside the 100m, the 6-1 shot Sunset Tripp got the verdict by a short head in a time of 87,62 secs.
Seven Grand improved nicely to pip the low-flying favourite Moonsong Magic for second.
Moonsong Magic made up plenty of ground from some way back and is a filly for the notebook.
The pacesetting Fear Not faded late but hung in for fourth and may enjoy a bit more ground as she matures.
Sunset Tripp made up for some of the disappointment experienced by her owner Greg Bortz in the previous race, when his gelding Cherish The Moment refused to jump.
Sunset Tripp was bred by Gary and Jackie Jolliffe and is by Trippi out of the Fort Wood mare, Red Growler.
She was bought for R525 000 on the Cape Ready To Run Sale and took her earnings to R406 700.
Punters may have let her run a bit free here at her generous price as she has always been highly rated by the Justin Snaith Racing Team and was not far off Majmu in the Cape Fillies Guineas.
She has now won 3 from 10 starts with 3 places – she was the first filly home in the 2014 Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes behind Gauteng based winner, Zambezi River.
The next two legs of the series should create plenty of interest, although Sunset Tripp staying the 2200m looks a poser. But she is out of a Fort Wood mare and her class could carry her through.
The R150 000 Listed Stormsvlei Mile will be run on Sunday 31 May and the final leg, the R150 000 Listed Winter Oaks is to be run over 2200m on Saturday 27 June.
