Need Speed? Muscatt (Aldo Domeyer) in the pink cap stays on strongly to beat Barbosa on the rail
Clinical efficiency and a possible passage to Singapore. That is the likely outcome of a superbly impressive course record-breaking victory by Port Elizabeth visitor Muscatt in Saturday’s Var Need For Speed Sprint at Kenilworth.
The cerise and navy blue silks of Dennis Evans’ Newbury Racing have become a winning feature on our tracks locally and internationally, and it is a recorded fact that the lucrative climes of Singapore are the ultimate goal of any of his runners showing the necessary ability to compete in that arena.
Muscatt is one such horse, and the 3yo colt looks to have quickly outgrown his hometown of Port Elizabeth. Champion Eastern Cape conditioner Gavin Smith will be enjoying having a horse of his calibre in his string while he still can. Smith had the chestnut turned out in immaculate trim.
A winner of two of his first three starts – the combined winning margin of the first two a sizeable 17,75 lengths – Muscatt was an unlucky loser of his third start when going down narrowly to November Rain through what was seen as jockey error.
That was borne out somewhat by the fact that his conqueror failed to follow up next time out.
Going off at a generous 7-1 in this 1000m event following the late withdrawal of the original favourite Cape Royal, Muscatt was always in the vanguard and stayed on impressively.
Plan Come Together. Trainer Gavin Smith sent out the winner.
The dash was on from the break with Muscatt showing the way from the odds-on favourite Barbosa, with Gogotine and Kirtling Towers a little further back.
At the 400m marker the entire field was spread across the track with Sean Cormack setting Barbosa alight on the rail as he moved forward smoothly. At this point Muscatt looked to be overcome by challenges, but Aldo Domeyer gathered him smartly and he went on best.
Under a nicely balanced ride oozing of confidence by Aldo Domeyer, the PE visitor beat Barbosa by 0,75 lengths in a new course record time of 56,46 secs.
Casual Var stayed on well for third just ahead of Gogotine at 25-1.
Muscatt was bred by Milkwood Stud by deceased stallion Victory Moon. He is out of the speedy two-time winning Hard Up mare Lone Sailor.
He was purchased at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale for what looks a bargain R100 000.
