Red Letter Day For Drakenstein

Saturday proved to be a red-letter day for the famous Drakenstein blue with a sophomore son and daughter of their former champion sire Trippi, both raced and bred by themselves, grabbing top honours in the Kenilworth features.

A half hour after Trip Of Fortune won the Gr3 Cape Classic, Candice Bass-Robinson was to the fore again when the Milnerton conditioner saddled the blue-blooded Amanzimtoti to win the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship – both winners were piloted by stable jockey Aldo Domeyer.

Some days are diamonds and whichever way the Cape summer unfolds, Saturday 23 October 2021 will do down as a memorable one for the Drakenstein team, their living legend Trippi – Amanzimtoti was his 84^th stakes winner – as well as the Bass family outfit (now in their 45^th year) and the talented Aldo Domeyer, whose 27% win strike-rate always makes him a jockey to follow for form studiers.

Aldo Domeyer shows his delight as Amanzimtoti storms home to beat Chansonette (Gareth Wright) in the Gr2 feature (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)

The Bass-Robinson Domeyer hat-trick commenced with Firealley going all the way to win the fifth, and was rounded off with Amazimtoti’s storming late run on the outside to win the Gr2 feature by 2,25 lengths in a time of 87,64 secs.

KZN visitor Gareth Wright and trainer Andre Nel enjoyed a good day with Fusillade rocking the Pick 6 opening leg, and Chansonette (40-1) was not disgraced in second, well ahead of the first of the Snaith quartet home in the 40-1 Mercury Rising.

The favourite Maria Querol (5-2) moved up dangerously but faded late, clearly in need of the run after her 17 week break.

The winner is not a big girl and reminds us a little of her outstanding Mom – the five-time Gr1 winner and dual Equus Champion, Beach Beauty, a winner of 17 races in an illustrious career.

Amanzimtoti has run five times for 3 wins and 2 places.

She has banked R205 450 and looks set for the Cape Fillies Guineas – she should enjoy the extra 200m of that contest, but let’s not overlook the claims of the likes of Gauteng stars Desert Miracle and Rain In Holland, just yet!

Amanzimtoti’s all-conquering sire Trippi is also broodmare sire of Not This Time (currently North America’s Leading Second Crop Sire of 2021).

The son of End Sweep has two well-bred lots on the 2021 CTS Ready To Run Sale. Trip To Mars (Lot 48) is a colt out of Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes winner Sensible Lover, while he has a daughter (Lot 61) out of stakes producer, Wood Manor.

Stipes excerpt:

MERCURY RISING (S Mbhele) jumped outwards, losing one length and thereafter was slow into stride.

SANTA MARIA (A Andrews) was slow into stride.

At the 700m FORRIES FOREVER (G Cheyne) had to be steadied when awkwardly placed on the inside of GIMME DAT (B Fayd’Herbe).

MARIA QUEROL (R Fourie) was hanging out in the straight.

In view of the performance of KAILENE (M Yeni) the veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this filly.

In view of the performance of ZAMBAQ (A Marcus), which was not persevered with in the latter stages, the veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this filly.

Jockey A Andrews, the rider of SANTA MARIA, reported this filly did not stride out freely in running. The veterinary surgeon was requested to examine.

AMANZIMTOTI, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer C Bass-Robinson was advised. (BM)

CHANSONETTE, the second-placed horse, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer WA Nel was advised. (CvA)

ZAMBAQ – examined post-race. Cast left hind shoe

KAILENE – examined post-race. Slightly lame right fore

SANTA MARIA – examined post-race. Nothing obvious detected

AMANZIMTOTI – coughed post-race

IMPRESSIVE QUEEN – cut to right front hoof

OFFICIAL RESULT