While he has followed a different route to some of his contemporaries, Sean Tarry’s Tail Of The Comet, who has an uncanny Jet Master stamp about him, put his hand up as a genuine Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prospect with a smooth and emotional victory at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
A standout on form in the 1400m contest restricted to eligible graduates of the 2022 CRS Ready To Run Sales, the Gr2 placed Tail Of The Comet gave his connections and legion of supporters a few moments of anxiety, before getting his act together in the fashion of a horse with classic pretensions.
Richard Fourie looks for the opposition as Tail Of The Comet soars clear (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Richard Fourie was clearly the man we would all have chosen to rectify any challenges that would arise at the colt’s first start in the Cape.
The outstanding Winning Form rider is as calm as the proverbial cucumber and said that the work had been good.
“He was slightly sluggish out – I liked the fact that he didn’t overrace. I made a bold choice to pull him out and I got lucky. I thought I went too soon on him but he’s turn of foot is phenomenal. I’m learning about him still – he’s an interesting horse for me,” chirped the man who had just booted home his third winner of the day.
A popular winner, Tail Of The Comet beat fellow Highvelder Just Be Lekker (11-2) by an official 4,25 lengths in a time of 83,45 secs – or the numerically fascinating 123,45 secs!
Recent maiden winner Sail To The Moon (40-1) was a length back in third.
Bred by Hassen Adams’ Nadeson Park Stud, Tail Of The Comet is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the three-time winning Jet Master mare, Comet Chaser, who raced in the Adams silks.
He has now won 3 of 4 starts for a place and stakes of R450 625.
Tarry paid R425 000 for Tail Of The Comet at the 2022 Cape Ready To Run Sale.
The athletic bay was apparently on a shortlist of five horses given to him by owner George O’Brien last year.
“We narrowed it down to two and were fortunate to secure him. George and I partnered with Gary Harvett, and Arun Chadha’s ASSM Racing Syndicate joined after the Gold Cup meeting.”
Cape Racing’s Justin Vermaak and part-owner, Warne Rippon with the big cheque (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Part owner Warne Rippon, who has raced some outstanding horses over his years, was making his first visit to the ‘country club’ as he labelled the country course.
He told of an emotional connection to Tail Of The Comet.
“My late Dad loved Sun Classique and my Mom, who is very ill in palliative care at Constantiaberg, loved Tail Of The Comet’s name and got a twinkle in her eye when we spoke about getting involved. It’s a very emotional time,” he added.
Enjoy the impressive replay:
Get your champion at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday. The first horse is in the ring at 14h00.
