Another feature winner in a season to remember for Ridgemont’s five-time Gr1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs, Candice Bass-Robinson’s 4yo Tenango breezed home under Andrew Fortune to win the R250 000 Gr3 Champagne Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the Family Day public holiday on Monday.
Andrew Fortune grabs his third winner of the day as he dishes the accolades out to Tenango with Ashton Arries and Gem King staying on for second (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A third winner on the afternoon in a purple patch of a comeback for the high-riding Andrew Fortune, Tenango (28-10) was launched at the 300m and cut back the early leaders Seeking The Stars and Lion Rampart, before turning the tables on the uber versatile Gem King (25-1) by a flattering 2 lengths in a time of 70,82 secs for the straight 1200m.
Recent HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap winner All Out For Six (18-10) went off tote favourite but was not up to the speed and was well beaten a further three quarters of a length back in third.
“Last time I didn’t know him. This time Aldo (Domeyer) said that I had to drop him out. I decided to switch him off and trust the horse. I pulled him out at the 500m marker and then at the 300m, we couldn’t wait anymore. He’s got a Grade 2 win in him I think,” said a clearly impressed Andrew Fortune.
Candice Bass-Robinson, who had saddled a double on the day after Fortune got English Mistress out of the maidens earlier on, thanked owner Ian Longmore for having the faith and patience to do the wind op.
“Tenango has earned a trip to Hollywoodbets Scottsville for the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint at end of May,” added the lady trainer, whose SA Champions Season draft only arrived at Summerveld recently.
Bred and raced by stalwart Ian Longmore, Tenango is a son of Ridgemont sire Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the one-time winning Trippi mare, Tripadvisor.
Canford Cliffs has had a sensational season all round, particularly with his 2yo’s, with his unbeaten daughter Direct Hit winning the Listed East Cape Nursery 48 hours earlier. The star miler’s versatility, was illustrated when his son Bournemouth won a 2800m feature in Gqeberha recently.
Now a winner of 5 races with 4 places from 13 starts, Tenango took his stakes earnings to R631 052.
Earlier on the day, Canford Cliffs’ 3yo son Show Off shed his maiden in style at his fourth start from a bad draw.
