In the same week that he was licenced to train for his own account, Randjesfontein trainer Mano Pandaram broke the ice – and that with a very hard-earned feature winner at Turffontein on Sunday.
While Mr Pandaram has been around for some years, this has been quite a week across the length and breadth of South Africa for the blue, yellow and black silks.
Celebrations! Kaidan Brewer and Mano Pandaram celebrate after a big win (Pic – JC Photos)
He saddled his first two placed runners at the Vaal on Tuesday, two runners, including a feature fourth place, on WSB Cape Town Met day on Saturday, and then returned to Turffontein on Sunday to saddle Thunee Playa to win the R250 000 Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap – but not before surviving a double objection!
Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Kaidan Brewer has a wonderful relationship with the 4yo colt, and rode a cracker from midfield after Royal Edition and Silent War brought the field for home.
Brewer produced Thunee Playa down the centre after Son Of Raj had been bounced into the lead at the 300m and looked to have designs on the first cheque.
In a thrilling three-cornered finish, Brewer rode a confident race – even saluting late- to get Thunee Playa (8-1) home by 0,30 lengths in a time of 112,15 secs for the 1800m feature, formerly run as the Drum Star.
Malesela Katjedi rode for his life on the second placed Silent War (16-1), who became the proverbial filling on the sandwich between the winner and his stablemate Son Of Raj (14-1).
The objection hooter sounded twice – first on behalf of Katjedi on the runner-up and then owner Steve Chetty for the third placed Son Of Raj.
There was unquestionably movement in the finish by Thunee Playa, but the Stipes didn’t believe it impacted the end result and overruled the objections.
Raced and trained by Mano Pandaram, Thunee Playa was scoring a maiden stakes success and was bred by Maine Chance from the bang in-form Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the one-time winning Galileo mare, Cavalleria.
Thunee Playa has won 5 races with 6 places from his 16 starts and took his stakes earnings to R539 688.
