Best known as the filly that earned Richard Fourie his place in the history books in his last record-breaking season courtesy of his 335th winner, Double Grand Slam bounced back to her best at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with a smooth victory in the R180 000 Summer Bowl.
Double Grand Slam (Richard Fourie) silences her detractors. Rainbow Lorikeet (Juan Paul van der Merwe) stays on for second (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Said by the now Ridgemont-sponsored Richard Fourie to have been ‘angry’ after being beaten by adversary Red Palace at her last start, the daughter of Vercingetorix returned trimmed down 13kgs by trainer Justin Snaith, and proceeded to register her first victory over a mile, in the process silencing her detractors.
“She took that last defeat personally. And we love a challenge,” quipped Snaith after Double Grand Slam (5-2) had turned on the jets late to overhaul the game pacesetter Rascova.
With the 33-1 shot Rainbow Lorikeet running out of her skin and chasing hard and a flattering half length adrift for the second cheque, it was left to Saartjie (14-1) to pick up the pieces and round off the trifecta a length back in third.
Rascova had done all the donkey work as is her style, and had to settle for fourth and only 1,80 lengths behind the impressive winner.
The favourite Red Palace (13-10) never showed.
A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Double Grand Slam is raced by Dave Maclean, Suzette Viljoen and Gary Player, and was bred by Varsfontein. She is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the two-time winning Captain Al mare Princess Peach.
Double Grand Slam has won 6 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R1 299 338.
