Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning stallion, and former SA Horse Of The Year, Futura has a smartly progressive staying prospect in the shape of the aptly named 4yo Thefutureisbright, who became his sire’s 12th stakes winner when capturing the R175 000 Listed Hollywoodbets Durbanville Cup on Tuesday.
The first meeting back at the country course in just under 4 months produced some cracking finishes, with Justin Snaith (treble) and Glen Kotzen (double) dominating the trainer stats, and national log-leader Keagan de Melo grabbing a double, including another winner for the Hollywood Syndicate, with the consistent Rafeef filly Shantastic winning the last for Dean Kannemeyer.
A horse with a beautiful action, Thefutureisbright was always in touch in the 2400m feature and JP van der Merwe said afterwards that he didn’t want to be caught flat-footed off a fair pace.
Into the straight, Thefutureisbright (11-2) was pulled through by Senso Unico and was given a beautifully balanced ride by JP van der Merwe, as he fought on well to hold Master Redoute (6-1) to 0,40 lengths. No time was published.
Thefutureisbright (JP van der Merwe) powers home ahead of Master Redoute (Ryan Munger) and the game Flower Of Saigon (Joshwin Solomons) in third (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The game mare Flower Of Saigon made the pace and came right back to hang on for third, a further 1,25 lengths back.
Raced by longstanding Snaith patron John Rycroft, the winner was the second consecutive son of Dynasty stallion Futura to win on the afternoon for Snaith Racing and was bred by Ndoro Stud from the one-time winning Western Winter mare, Andermatt.
Owner John Rycroft and Chris Snaith lead the winner in as JP van der Merwe salutes (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A winner of 4 races with 8 places from 18 starts, The Futureisbright was a R100 000 National 2yo Sale graduate and took his earnings to R389 200.
Watch the feature replay here:
The next Western Cape racemeeting is carded for Tuesday 14 March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
