Justin Snaith and Kuda-sponsored Lyle Hewitson opened the South African feature programme for 2021 in fluent style at Fairview on Friday when the beautifully-bred Sovereign Secret surged to a commanding victory in the R85 000 Listed Lady’s Bracelet.
At the first Fairview meeting on turf for close on four months, the Cape raiders dominated proceedings, winning five of the eight races on the public holiday card.
Lyle Hewitson steers Sovereign Secret to victory (Pic – Pauline Herman)
It was something of an ironic show of strength at the start of a month where leading riders like four-time winning Aldo Domeyer and the Gauteng-based Hewitson are unlikely to be seen in the Eastern Cape again.
Charles Ndlovu was the only local rider to get a shout in when he upset his more fancied stablemate Golden Chance (Greg Cheyne) to win the fourth on the promising Pathfork filly Step Lively who came back from a 44 week break to score. The winner was bred by veteran Highlands stud manager Stanley Bennett from the 2008 Durban July dead-heat winner, Dancer’s Daughter.
But back to the feature, after being shaken up by Hewitson just through the 400m, Sovereign Secret (5-2) drew away to beat former stablemate Sailing Ship (13-2) by 3,50 lengths in a time of 97,69 secs.
Consistent Alan Greeff mare Wallis Simpson (8-1) came out of the pack to secure third, a further 0,25 lengths back.
The winner, a R1 million Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase races for Pete and Janet Carolin, and was recording her first black-type success and only her second win from 13 starts with 5 places. She has earned just under R900 000.
Bred by Klawervlei, she has the makings of a magnificent broodmare prospect. She is by champion Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of six time winning Captain Al champion, All Is Secret.
Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson enjoyed a great day with four winners, even if their feature hope Gimme Gimme Gimme ran well below expectations.
