Birch Brothers’ Trippi stallion Gold Standard enjoyed a second feature success in two days when the overdue and well-weighted Hold My Hand finally converted her place form to a well-deserved win, taking the honours in Saturday’s R200 000 Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
On Friday at Fairview, Gold Standard’s daughter Gold Poker Game was victorious in the Listed Lady’s Bracelet, and with a single lot on offer at the upcoming Cape Racing Premier Yearling Sale, and three lots on offer at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale next month, the timing of these feature victories could not be sweeter for the vendors.
A Drakenstein 1-2 as Richard Fourie keeps Hold My Hand going to beat Craig Zackey and Future Girl (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Trained by Glen Kotzen, the Drakenstein home-bred Hold My Hand went into Saturday’s headliner a one-time winner, with place credits in the Oaks, Cape Fillies and SA Fillies Guineas, and Woolavington, in her fourteen starts.
With the ever-reliable Richard Fourie in the irons, what looked the best bet on the card duly arrived, despite the dapper 4yo being pressed late by another Drakenstein flagbearer in the 25-1 Future Girl.
But Fourie had the race sown up at the 150m, and Hold My Hand (9-10) stayed on best to win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 126,20 secs.
Former Dennis Drier charge Broadway Girl (25-2), who is raced by the Summerveld veteran’s family, ran an improved race for third, a further 2 lengths back.
The winner was bred by Drakenstein out of the twice winning Holy Roman Emperor mare, Fly To The Moon.
Hold My Hand’s sire Gold Standard has certainly made a big impression with his small first crop – numbering just 25 – which includes the mentioned classy four-year-old Gold Poker Game.
That first crop produced 15 winners, including Hollywoodbets Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Golden Hostess.
Enjoy the replay:
