Jet Jungle! Oats (Luyola Mxothwa) wins the Sophomore Plate from King Of Indians in good style (Coastal Photos)
The former Cape based gelding Oats put his best foot forward to win the R80 000 Sophomore Plate for 3yo’s at Fairview on Friday. The son of Lundy’s Liability also quickly dispelled any doubts about him not seeing out the 1400m trip and has taken to the Eastern Cape like a fish to water.
Oats raced formerly with the Dolfie Maeder yard in Cape Town where he ran in the silks of the trainer’s wife, Heidi.
He left Cape Town a maiden in September last year after just one place cheque from his first rather modest five starts , and has turned his reputation and life around in just four months, having now notched up 4 wins and a second place from his five local starts.
New owner Ebrahim Moosa must be over the moon and trainer Grant Paddock deserves every credit for doing a fine job with a horse that the astute ad wide awake punters would have noted him ‘labelling’ early on.
The pace was on from the start in the non black type feature with the classy Seattle Storm going up to lead his field on his return from a 22 week rest.
He led Zobens and King Of Indians with Oats and Bush Ranger further back.
King Of Indians came forward with his unique action at the 300m as Seattle Storm ran out of gas.
Luyola Mxothwa had been sitting quietly on Oats and he switched the gelding out twice to get a clear passage on the outside.
Oats picked it up nicely and he steadily wore down King Of Indians.
Oats went on to beat the capable King Of Indians by a half length in a time of 83,04 secs.
The 75 to 1 shot Voices Of Kings from the Dorrie Sham yard came flying out of nowhere to run third and hold the favourite Seattle Storm out of the PA.
Oats was bred by Raymond Koopstad, a former schoolteacher from the Ceres Valley who has bred some fair horses.
Oats is by Lundy’s Liability out of the Sportsworld mare, Get Sporty.
The 3yo has now won 4 of his 10 starts with two places and R170 125 in stakes.
Oats looks worthy of following.
He after all left a Nursery winner biting the dust and won his race with a show of guts and courage from a less than desirable position.
