Winless since his career peak 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July success, Brett Crawford’s Winchester Mansion bounced back from a below-par season debut three weeks ago to win the R1 million Allied Steelrode-Onamission Gr2 Charity Mile and set himself up for a major bid for Betway Summer Cup glory.
After over-racing early in the mile Pinnacle Stakes on 12 October, Piere Strydom did not persevere with his ride from the 300m and reported that the gelding took no interest in running. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that the 6yo was ‘blowing’ afterwards.
Marco van Rensburg salutes as Winchester Mansion charges clear (Pic – JC Photos)
But a different horse arrived on Saturday and paired with the Thusanani Children’s Foundation, Winchester Mansion (40-1) was produced late by Marco van Rensburg and drew off in impressive style to beat flying KZN raider Gladatorian (20-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 97,84 secs for the mile.
The grey Barbaresco (5-1) was not disgraced in third, with Silver Sanctuary (14-1) rounding off the quartet.
Pacemaker Dave The King went out strongly for 1300m but tired and finished 19 lengths off.
There was drama early on when Back In Business appeared to clip heels after Silver Sanctuary and Meridius shifted and Muzi Yeni came down heavily. Reports are that the national log-leader has been stabilized, with a suspected fractured clavicle.
A Drakenstein bred and raced gelding, Winchester Mansion is by champion Trippi (End Sweep) out of the Spectrum mare Sea Point.
Now a winner of 6 races with 9 places from 21 starts, Winchester Mansion took his stakes earnings to R4 629 100.
Second entries for the Betway Summer Cup close at 11h00 on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Final Entries close at 09h00 on Monday 18 November 2024 – weights will be published the same day.
BETWAY SUMMER CUP (Grade 1) – weights
| 0 | See It Again | (5G) | 0 | 131 | BA | Michael Roberts | |
| 0 | Main Defender | (4G) | 0 | 129 | A | Tony Peter | |
| 0 | Dave The King | (5G) | 0 | 128 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Flag Man | Scratched | (4G) | 0 | 126 | A | Gareth van Zyl |
| 0 | Cousin Casey | Scratched | (5H) | 0 | 125 | A | Sean Tarry |
| 0 | Royal Victory | (5G) | 0 | 125 | A | Nathan Kotzen | |
| 0 | Winchester Mansion | (6G) | 0 | 124 | CA | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | Purple Pitcher | (4C) | 0 | 123 | A | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 0 | Barbaresco | (4G) | 0 | 122 | A e | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 0 | Puerto Manzano (ARG) | (7G) | 0 | 122 | BA | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 0 | Pure Predator | (4G) | 0 | 119 | A | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 0 | Son Of Raj | (5G) | 0 | 119 | BA | Tony Peter | |
| 0 | Frances Ethel | (4F) | 0 | 118 | A | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | Future Pearl | (5G) | 0 | 118 | AT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Zeus | (6G) | 0 | 117 | A e | Fabian Habib | |
| 0 | Beating Wings | (4F) | 0 | 116 | A | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 0 | Silver Sanctuary | (4F) | 0 | 116 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Hotarubi | (4G) | 0 | 115 | CAT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Litigation | (6G) | 0 | 115 | CAT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Meridius | (5G) | 0 | 115 | A | Tony Peter | |
| 0 | Aragosta | (6G) | 0 | 113 | BAT | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Atticus Finch | (5G) | 0 | 112 | AT | Alec Laird | |
| 0 | My Soul Mate | (4F) | 0 | 111 | BA | Candice Dawson | |
| 0 | Shoemaker | (5G) | 0 | 111 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Cape Eagle | (7G) | 0 | 110 | A | Andre Nel | |
| 0 | Madison Valley | (4C) | 0 | 110 | BA | Frank Robinson | |
| 0 | Safe Passage | (6G) | 0 | 109 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Red Maple | (5M) | 0 | 108 | BAT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Navajo Nation | (4G) | 0 | 106 | A | Robbie Hill | |
| 0 | Nebraas | (8G) | 0 | 106 | BAT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Indian Ocean | (5M) | 0 | 105 | A | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| 0 | Rule By Force | (5G) | 0 | 105 | BAT | Joe Soma | |
| 0 | The Futurist | (6G) | 0 | 104 | A e | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | East Coast | (5G) | 0 | 103 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Raiseahallelujah | (7G) | 0 | 103 | A | Candice Dawson | |
| 0 | Home Of The Brave | (5G) | 0 | 101 | AT | Tyrone Zackey | |
| 0 | River Romeo | (5G) | 0 | 98 | A | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| 0 | Atarime | (4G) | 0 | 97 | A | Paul Matchett | |
| 0 | Jordan | (4G) | 0 | 97 | AT | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Marauding Horde | (4G) | 0 | 96 | BA | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Pomodoro’s Jet | (6G) | 0 | 96 | A | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | Thunee Playa | (4C) | 0 | 93 | BA | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| (42) | |||||||
Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 20 November. The final field will be announced later that afternoon.
