The Wernars silks are enjoying a terrific run in various feature-winning partnerships and were worn to a superb double at Turffontein on Saturday.
While Litigation put his hand up as a Derby contender with a smooth victory in the Derby Trial, it was Smorgasboard who delivered a fourth Senor Santa Stakes trophy for Laurence Wernars when winning the speed Gr2 in impressive style.
Named in honour of one of our great sprint champions, the R400 000 Gr2 Senor Santa Stakeswas the platform for the high-riding Paul Peter Racing Team to throw the Twice Over gelding Smorgasboard in at the deep end – and the 4yo Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein -bred product delivered in style.
Smorgasboard charges home under Warren Kennedy as Warrior’s Rest (Denis Schwarz) chases hard (Pic -JC Photos)
Coming in on a handy 52kgs, regular pilot Warren Kennedy rode the 4yo with confidence, coming from a few lengths off down the outside to win well.
While Sean Tarry’s Gr1 winning 7yo Warrior’s Rest found his better form in the Hollywood Syndicate silks, and looked to spoil the party, the younger horse always looked in charge.
At the line Smorgasboard (6-1) powered on to beat Warrior’s Rest (40-1) by a half length in a time of 65,64 secs.
Jockey Warren Kennedy rode 3 winners on the day and said that gelding had made all the difference to Smorgasboard, a horse he described as ‘clean and uncomplicated’.
Another Gr1 winner in the runner-up’s stablemate Under Your Spell (8-1) ran on well for third, with another Wernar flagbearer in True To Life (10-1) kicking on into fourth.
A R460 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Smorgasboard is by Klawervlei’s star sire Twice Over (Observatory) out of the three-time winning Var mare, Variety.
Smorgasboard has won 3 races with 5 places from 8 starts for stakes of R469 312.
