Favoured at 18/10 in the G1 Daily News, See It Again was conserved off the searching pace set by Dave the King before jockey Piere Strydom let him lose at the top of the straight. The Twice Over gelding’s turbo boosted engine kicked in and he stormed past rivals, overwhelming Dave the King (speed score 111) with a furlong to go and register a high-quality speed figure of 112.
See It Again is trained by former riding great, Michael Roberts. The chestnut will next be aimed at the Durban July, where he will be a popular choice as the hometown hero.
Without Question (s/s 109) and Cousin Casey (s/s 109) fought out the minor places but could not go with the middle-distance champ who won the Cape Derby during the Summer and continues to improve. Further back (but still registering smart scores) were Shoemaker 107 and 80/1 longshot, River Romeo 106.
Rain In Holland (s/s 104) won the G1 Woolavington in what jockey S’Manga Khumalo described as a true run race, (though the final time ended up 1.31 seconds slower than the higher quality, Daily News), blowing them away with her finishing dart down the inner.
Trainer, Sean Tarry was proud that his classy charge showed both the guts and ability to bounce back from a physical setback which threatened to derail her aspirations.
She has now won 11 of 21 starts, including the Triple Tiara as a three-year-old, and is getting better with age, as the progeny of tough- as- teak sire, Duke of Marmalade tends to do.
Time Flies (by Dynasty; s/s 102) handled the step up in class to secure 2nd ahead of Silver Darling and Hold My Hand, with Marina staying on to be fifth after being baulked. There was again some scrimmaging down the straight as horses battled to get clear passages (Gilded Butterfly was another notable victim) – such is the nature of competitive racing at Greyville.
Sea Master went start to finish in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m, setting soft fractions then fighting on to ward off the cavalry. Racing up front is the best way to make your own luck and stay out of trouble!
Gareth van Zyl paid tribute to Anthandiwe Mgudlwa for a cagey front-running steer, whilst also describing him as “probably the hardest working jockey at Summerveld”. It was a gratifying win for the up-and-coming conditioner who turned out the now G3 winning son of Master of my Fate in fine fettle.
The placings were completed by Raisehallelujah, Aragosta and Otto Luyken in a blanket finish where even the 10th home (Shango) was only two lengths off the winner – often the case in races run at a false pace.