Roy Magner’s Act Of War gelding Rollwiththepunches turned on the speed reminiscent of the champion chestnut bullet in whose honour the feature is named when winning the 2023 renewal of the World Sports Betting Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
Riding like a demon since his return from Mauritius last month, Denis Schwarz had the 4yo gelding ripping out front and all of them gasping for air as, running fresh after a five month break, Rollwiththepunches carried too many guns for his opposition.
Never headed over a trip thought to be marginally short of his best, Rollwiththepunches (25-2) flew away to beat the late rattling Far Away Winter (7-1) by a quarter length in a time of 56,11 secs.
Denis Schwarz did some low-flying on Magner’s Rollwiththepunches! (Pic – JC Photos)
The flying filly Big Burn (13-10) was always chasing and had no answers, holding on for third a further 1,25 lengths adrift.
This was Rollwiththepunches first stakes success and a welcome first ‘trophy’ for part-owner Malcom Cruickshank, who was on course with his granddaughter Layla. He owns the smart speedster in partnership with Steve Leahy.
Veteran trainer Roy Magner said that they thought Big Burn may be a bit quicker than their charge.
“But his work has been good!” he smiled.
Denis Schwarz said it was an honour to be riding a winner on the big day.
A R160 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the winner was bred by Summerhill Stud from the Dynasty stallion Act Of War out of the five-time winning Russian Revival mare, Lady Red.
Now a winner of 6 races with 7 places from 19 starts, Rollwiththepunches has earned R507 124 in stakes.
This race is run annually in honour of Tommy Hotspur who was the proverbial Ferrari on four legs, known for demolishing his opposition with his lightning toe.
Trained for the larger part of his career by Gary Alexander, and then by David Ferraris, he won his first 8 starts in a row, and 10 races in total, including the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
Watch the replay here:
