Snaith science and a superbly judged ride by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein sponsored rider Craig Zackey got the Varsfontein-bred Salvator Mundi home in the marathon R175 000 Listed Kenilworth Cup at the Southern Suburbs racecourse on Saturday.
The 3200m contest only attracted a field of six and tactics were always going to play a major part in the outcome.
Craig Zackey steers Salvator Mundi to victory in the 3200m feature (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Zackey and trainer Justin Snaith had a plan and were happy to lead. But after Salvator Mundi lugged out going into the first turn, Richard Fourie took the initiative on Coup De Main. That left Salvator Mundi in the box seat and Zackey rode a pearler.
After Coup De Main fell away at the 350m, Zackey had Salvator Mundi (7-1) in full stride and the 4yo stayed on best to beat luckless stablemate Bayberry (9-2) by a length in a time of 215,11 secs.
Glen Kotzen had again had to be content with place stakes as Flower Of Saigon ran on well for third.
Justin Snaith took the credit for the outcome, saying that he had become more scientific in the latter part of his training career.
“I looked at Cape race times and decided to train a bit differently –in other words at an elevated heart rate elevated for longer. That would generate more stamina. It worked! Full marks to Craig Zackey – he is fearless and Salvator Mundi is a quirky kind of horse,” said Snaith.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Salvator Mundi, who races in the interests of Greg Bortz and Pamela Isdell, is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the twice-winning Captain Al Secret Obsession.
He has won 4 races with 5 places from 14 starts and stakes of R289 675.
Grant van Niekerk was forced to bide his time off a modest pace on the topweight Crome Yellow, who was outrun in the rush to the line.
