Eleven-times SA champion jockey Michael Roberts commences the singularly biggest week of his training career as he carries the KwaZulu-Natal flag into Saturday’s World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the back of odds-on favourite See It Again.
The last KZN trainer to win the big one was David Payne, who saddled Imperious Sue in 1998 and prior to that the then Clairwood based Vaughan Marshall, who saddled La Fabulous to win under Robbie Fradd in 1996.
On Sunday Roberts was hosted, as he has been done for years by Gold Circle, on his annual tribute raceday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, the scene of his first winner 56 years ago.
While the vibe and atmosphere was bullish ahead of a big week, the weather-delayed headliner, the R90 000 Michael Roberts Stakes, has tumbled down the rankings and was run as a non black-type contest on Sunday.
Muzi Yeni hots the front at the right moment on Bella Siccome (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The 1750m race attracted a field of nine runners, and after Calvin Habib and Addabar had set some serious fractions out front, the pack attacked at the 300m and it was Paul Lafferty’s Silvano mare Bella Siccome who found her first winning stride since the 2023 Listed Christmas Handicap, when she kicked on best under Muzi Yeni.
At the line Bella Siccome (14-1) had a length to spare over the consistent Cape Eagle (33-20), who appeared to enjoy being ridden with some restraint.
Formagear (3-1), under replacement rider Sean Veale was a head back in third.
The winner’s time was 106,12 secs.
Enjoy the feature replay:
A R120 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Bella Siccome was bred by Maine Chance and is a daughter of their late multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the well-performed Dynasty mare, Bella Spumante.
A winner of 7 races with 10 places from 27 starts, Bella Siccome has banked R483 650 in stakes.
Feature winner Muzi Yeni with Muis Roberts (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Michael Roberts won the eighth, the Lando MR 77 Handicap, with the favourite Bless Me Fred, ridden by Brevan Plaatjies.
Peter Muscutt and Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden enjoyed a nice double.
The next KZN racemeeting is on Monday at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The first is off at 12h30.
