Whilst much of the emphasis in South Africa is on breeding speed-horses or Classic types, great satisfaction can be gained owning a quality stayer. The connections of Marchingontogether will vouch for that as their son of Pathfork has built on a good second in the SA 2019 Derby to win successive Grade 3’s this year.
He received positive reviews after a last start win in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Greyville – this newsletter stated, “Interbet punters are advised to keep Marchingontogether on their side in any staying race he contests in the near future,.” and he duly showed his adaptability with another fluent score in the Track and Ball Derby at Scottsville on Saturday.
He was made to graft a little harder than in his last start romp, as proven quality stayer, It’s My Turn challenged on the outer with Dark Moon Rising trying to close on the inside. Marchingontogether had it all under control though under top hoop Warren Kennedy to record his sixth career win by a length.
Kennedy has experienced a remarkable transformation in a late-blossoming career. Previously more of a journeyman jock, who was 34th in the country in 2014 with a lowly strike rate, whilst during 2018 he was still only 13th on the riders’’ log with an unremarkable winning percentage.
However, this tall, slim and seriously brave jock has overcome terrifying falls and honed his skills over the years. He is seizing the opportunities of now being aligned to powerful stables. Kennedy’s work ethic is another notable virtue – riding at least twice as many mounts as nearly all his contemporaries during the season under review. He’s currently saluting at a robust 19% strike rate and gets into the first four 54% of the time. Punters will note that Kennedy is also dependable on favourites – 37% is his winning rate there.