Piet Botha’s Dare 2 Dream Racing Team celebrated one of the most popular winners on a sundrenched Hollywoodbets Durbanville afternoon on Saturday when the Andrews family home-bred Montien ran the best race of his career to down a few big names in winning the R300 000 Gr3 Cape Mile.
The 4yo Montien, a gelded son of the now retired SA Triple Crown winner Louis The King, who enjoyed no support at stud, made it a hat-trick of victories for Milnerton trainer Piet Botha, when he reeled in the free-striding and hard-ridden favourite Royal Aussie to win a cracker and open some big season options for his thrilled connections.
Anthony Andrews picks up his rein as Montien charges home ahead of Royal Aussie (Richard Fourie) and Cosmic Highway (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Richard Fourie, who drew a rare blank scoresheet on the day, took the fight to the opposition as he allowed Royal Aussie to bowl out front.
Into the home straight, Royal Aussie continued strongly with Montien three lengths off, but looking under pressure.
But 300m out the landscape changed as Montien unwound a strong late run, despite jockey Anthony Andrews having dropped his rein. Finding his best stride, he caught Royal Aussie, with Andrews displaying the horsemanship skills that comes from a lifetime in the saddle, as he casually picked up his dropped rein at the line.
Montien (7-1) clocked 96,16 secs and beat Royal Aussie (5-1) going away by 0,40 lengths, with the luckless Cosmic Highway (8-1), who suffered traffic issues when Trip Of Fortune was pulled out, running on for third.
“He was going straight so I focused on getting to the leader and winning the race,” said Andrews of his cucumber display in the last 50m.
Breeder and proud Dad Terry Andrews – over the moon (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A delighted trainer Piet Botha, who clearly loves the character that is Montien, thanked his owners for affording him the privilege to train such a nice horse. Piet only has 27 odd horses in his yard, but boxes way above his weight and there is an amazing vibe in his stable.
Bred by Terry Andrews, Montien is clearly the best product of of SA Triple Crown winner Louis The King (Black Minnaloushe). He is out of the well-bred one-time winning Fort Wood mare, Hope Downs.
The winner’s full-sisters Louis Gem and Louis’ Diamond have won two each.
Montien is raced by the winning jockey’s proud parents Terry & Annabel Andrews, Greg & Des Delponte & Matt Williams.
Now a winner of 4 races with 5 places from 10 starts, Montien took his stakes earnings to R509 138.
Enjoy the replay:
