Corne Spies’ evergreen equine ATM William Robertson is every owner’s dream horse and made light of his top weight to register his thirteenth career victory with a facile strike in Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville top-liner, the R200 000 Marula Sprint.
Enjoying a seasonal break from his new home in Canada, SAJA graduate Ryan Munger, who was aboard when William Robertson beat subsequent Grade 1 hero Dyce when shedding his maiden at the Vaal in June 2021, enjoyed an armchair ride for his eleventh winner in a week.
Ryan Munger steers William Robertson to a 13th career victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“He’s a magnificent class horse and so versatile. I recall winning a Grade 3 on him as a 3yo. William Robertson was the reason I travelled down to Pietermaritzburg today and it’s mission accomplished and full marks to Mr Spies and his team,” added Munger, who is a far more polished rider thanks to his international experience and returns to Canada on 31 March.
Always a hot order favourite, William Robertson was relaxed a few lengths back as Except Temptation and Donquerari cut out a keen pace. At the 350m marker Munger made his move as Hollywood Racing rider Sean Veale tried to grab an edge on the good mare Shipholia.
But in a matter of strides it was clear that William Robertson (8-10) was going too well and the 6yo gelding put 1,30 lengths between himself and Shipholia (10-1), clocking 67,72 secs for the straight 1200m.
Sun Blushed (4-1) looked menacing late, but was beaten a further 1,30 lengths into third with his consistent stablemate Good Traveller (14-1) rounding off a favourite quartet.
Raced in a partnership by Rob Macnab, Keegan Govender, Xander Spies, Corne Spies Racing (Pty) Ltd & Jannie de Lange’s Waste Glass Recovery (Pty) Ltd, the Ridgemont Highlands-bred William Robertson is by the champion farm’s in-form sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts.
The 6yo gelding cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale and is a winner of 13 of his 40 starts with 16 places – he has earned R2 218 975.
