Just as things looked to be turning pear-shaped , Justin Snaith pulled the SA Champions Season launch on Friday evening out of the fire with an exciting win by his Twice Over gelding Do It Again in the R600 000 Gr2 Daisy Guineas.
Bernard Fayd’herbe has Do It Again well in control (Pic – Candiese Marnewick / Gold Circle)
The precautionary withdrawal of stable star Oh Susanna with a bruised heel from the Guineas early on Friday morning, was followed by an uncomfortable showing by Copper Force (not enjoying the conditions) in the Drill Hall Stakes, and then a heartstopping narrow defeat for their dual Gr1 winner Snowdance in the Daisy Fillies Guineas.
But the Daisy Guineas victory for the handsome son of Twice Over righted the ship and set the foundation for a big season.
After Wonderwall had shown the way and local hope Sniper Shot had slipped into the lead at the 300m, Do It Again was seen making massive strides and he hit the front at the 200m to win going away.by 1,25 lengths in a time of 96,03 secs.
Sniper Shot ran a game race in second and held off the Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth who looked in need of the outing.
Winning rider Bernard Fayd’herbe said that Do It Again had always been held in high regard.
“When he made up 3 lengths in 4 strides at the top of the straight, I thought now I have them. It was a good win and he should be better over further, ” he added.
Justin Snaith – tough evening – ended well
Justin Snaith conceded that it had been a ‘very hard night I won’t lie’.
“It is dauntiing for these horses under the lights. But it’s the same for everybody – we can’t make excuses. When I saw the conditions of a tail wind, fast ground, the kick up – and Do It Again comes from last, then this was a creditable performance. This is the dark horse for the Vodacom Durban July and we are getting him ready for the Daily News,” he said.
Do It Again has won 3 races with 2 places from 5 starts for stakes of R707 500. He was knocked down to John Freeman for R1,1 million at the 2016 National Yearling Sale
Bred by Northfields, Do It Again is a son of Twice Over (Observatory) out of the six-time winning Sweet Virginia (Casey Tibbs).
Described as the best horse he trained by Phillipi trainer Riaan Van Reenen, the slightly built Sweet Virginia is out of the Royal Prerogative Millie Bovana. She was victorious in the 2005 Gr3 Final Fling Stakes, and walloped the boys in the Gr3 Winter Classic and Winter Derby – a feat not matched by her own sex since.
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Gr2 Daisy Guineas (SAf-Gr2)
Greyville, South Africa, May 4, R600k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.36.03
1 – DO IT AGAIN (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Twice Over (GB) – Sweet Virginia (SAF) by Casey Tibbs (IRE). Owner Messrs N Jonsson, B Kantor & W J C Mitchell; Breeder Northfields Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Sniper Shot (SAF), 60.0, ch g 3, Judpot (USA) – Seven Veils (SAF) by Rich Man’s Gold (USA)
3 – Tap O’ Noth (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Wintersweet (SAF) by Western Winter (USA)
Margins: 1.25, 1.00, 0.50
