The former Zimbabwe based Down To Business, an out and out stayer, looks a live Gold Cup prospect as he finished with a wet sail down the centre of the track to claim his first South African victory with a smart effort in the R200 000 Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden gets Down To Business home (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
On the first Grade 1 day of the 2024 SA Champions Season, exotic pools were at encouraging levels, with the carryover Pick 6 reaching R3 844 746, the PA R527 769, and the Bipot a nett R306 257. Healthier stuff!
That was some good news, but the NHA’s newly introduced TCO2 testing is still something of a PR dilemma and after two early scratchings on the card for elevated levels, West Coast trainer Andre Nel had Cape Eagle withdrawn from the 2400m feature in what would have been an important season stepping stone.
After Jabu Jacobs had dictated a modest gallop on the Piet Botha visitor Baratheon, it was Pirate Prince that looked a winner down the inside rail, before Tristan Godden unleashed the Zimbabwe connection down the centre.
Finishing full of steam, Down To Business (9-2) proved too strong and went on powerfully to beat Highveld raider Raiseahallelujah (17-2) by 1,05 lengths in a time of 150,52 secs.
It was the second successive year that Candice Dawson’s gutsy gelding had to be satisfied with the runner-up badge in this feature.
Piet Botha will be thrilled with Baratheon (20-1) in third, ahead of Lorenzo Karriem’s Indican Ocean (50-1) who made up many lengths for fourth.
The tote favourite Marauding Horde ran with the blinkers removed and never showed.
Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden said that it was a win plan come together and lauded trainer Peter Muscutt.
“I made a small error last time. This time I kept Richard Fourie in my sights, and when I asked, Down To Business unwound late to get there. I am so thrilled for the team,” added Godden.
Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Peter Muscutt said that after the winner’s last run it was a proper ride by Tristan Godden, and reciprocated the jockey’s compliments by saying that he played a key role in the success of the yard in terms of feedback.
“I just need to say also that the gentlemen that own the horse and myself have enjoyed a long association going all the way back to our Zimbabwe days. It’s a pleasure and privilege to have achieved this win for them,”he added.
Down To Business’ former trainer Debbie Swanson found the gelding at a farm sale, and the 4yo gelding certainly looks to be competitive in the upcoming staying features, in a discipline where we are not exactly loaded with superstars.
Bred by Mayesh Chetty, the winner is a son of Redoute’s Choice sire Wylie Hall out of the five-time winning Surging River mare, Keep On Dreaming.
The Lonsdale Stirrup Cup was run as a Grade 3 event last year.
