There aren’t too many of the smaller yards making an impact in the Western Cape anymore.
But on a sunny winter Wednesday at Kenilworth it was the turn of Greg Ennion, Piet Botha, Peter Wrensch and Mike Robinson to grab a slice of the limelight, when the quartet deservedly saddled a winner apiece – and 50% of the midweek card.
For the senior statesman Greg Ennion, Abraham Lincoln was a second winner of the term when he scored in the fourth.
The only Philippi-based trainer amongst the four, Mike Robinson also registered his second winner of the season when Grey Princess went gun-to-tape in the last to give Ossie Noach a deserved double.
Sonic Boom (fifth race) and the consistent Gillian Anne (sixth race) provided Messrs Botha and Wrensch with a timeous first 2021/2 season winner, as the month of August rushes to a close.
Gillian Anne charges home to give Ossie Noach the first leg of a well-taken double (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The World Sports Betting-sponsored Peter Wrensch owns and trains Gillian Anne, a three time winner from 11 starts and one of the gamest fillies around.
The smart 4yo is out of the Mogok mare, Zola Budd and the victory was clearly an emotional one for the man who took over the reins in October 2018 after the passing of his boss and mentor, Ronnie Sheehan.
“When you have the blood you have a chance. Ronnie (Sheehan) always believed that Zola would make a good broodmare. Gillian is her third – they have won eleven races between them. Ronnie loved Captain Al, but couldn’t afford him and went for the cheaper option of Captain Of All. Look how well he has done.”
A proud Peter Wrensch leads the winner with his team (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Cape’s most experienced workrider of recent times and a popular amateur jockey in the days when we enjoyed those luxuries, Wrensch touched a sentimental chord for some of us when he mentioned Rick Stewart’s diminutive speedball Gloriana – we remember her dashing down the Milnerton straight in the Hunting Stewart tartan – and even Terrance Millard’s Laddie, as stalwart gallopers.
Wrensch joked about the timing of his winner on the 25th of the month with bills to pay. Tell us about it!
The victory was clearly a plan come together as he explained that he had given Gillian Anne her AHS shot on a two race place.
“Eleven days ago we ran her in a 1000m and she went fourth. Today Ossie Noach rode a cracker over the 1200m. Look at the top three home – it’s the old story, weight stops trains,” he said.
Peter thanked his staff and farrier, and also Cape Racing for keeping things going in trying times.
The next Kenilworth meeting is on Saturday 28 August – a nice ten race card with better sized fields, it is headed by the Listed Sophomore Sprint.
Please click on the SPRINT cover below to read more
