Fast! Desert Sheik (Anthony Delpech) streaks clear to win the Var Durban Dash at Clairwood
Champion trainer Mike De Kock maintained his feature winning streak in KZN when the Trippi gelding Desert Sheik ran on powerfully to win the R150 000 Var Durban Dash run over 1100m at Clairwood on Sunday.
The non black type race was marred by the favourite Cape Royal not jumping as the gates were released. His rider Karl Neisius was seen interacting with the starter when instructed to load ahead of four other horses.
Cape Royal, who goes to the start accompanied by a pony, cost his supporters when he failed to jump in the recent Golden Horse Casino Sprint.
A very disappointed trainer Dean Kannemeyer said afterwards that he had met with KZN Chief Stipe, Shaun Parker, and had followed the process to express his displeasure. He would only say that he felt that the issue could have been handled better.
The race was run at a cracking pace with De Var Hyt and Midnight Run prominent.
Into the final 300m, Anthony Delpech set Desert Sheik alight and he bounced clear as the smart Captain Al gelding Midnight Run loomed up dangerously down the outside.
In a driving finish, Desert Sheik won by 1,25 lengths in a time of 63,48 secs.
Midnight Run held on for second ahead of Indaba My Children.
Trippi sired the winner, who was bred by Klawervlei Stud out of the four time winning Saint Sever mare, Saudies.
The latter was trained by Terrance Millard and was ridden by Piere Strydom to win the SA Fillies Guineas in 1998. She is also the dam of the Rakeen gelding Red Rake, who ran in the interests of Bernard Kantor and Rodney Dunn.
Desert Sheik cost R800 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1.
He has now run 8 times for 4 wins and 3 places. He took his earnings to R344 250.
This race was the final event of an innovative three year sponsorship by the Var Syndicate.
Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh said the initiative had been a huge success and that she hoped that the operator would continue to host the series and raise the profile of the emerging sprinter environment.
