TCO2 Crisis - Where to from here?
Graeme Hawkins
One Stripe, odds-on favourite for the R500 000 Langerman, was one of seven Tco2 late scratchings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, which included three withdrawals from the last race on the programme, reducing the field for the Cape C Stakes over 2200m to just seven runners. It is said, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and, while we should all be supportive of measures which seek to ensure the integrity of the sport of horseracing, the current apparent “hit and miss” scenario, with very little trust in the testing protocols, is a huge challenge for Owners, the Racing Operators and most importantly Punters, who can no longer place bets with any degree of confidence into the multi-legged exotic-bet type pools.
Trainers are mostly bemused, confused and even “frightened” and clearly something urgent has to be done to rebuild mutual trust between them and the National Horseracing Authority. I do not claim to have all the answers - but surely we cannot go forward like this?
As with all racing fans, I so look forward to the thrill of the Hollywoodbets Durban July race day but now, instead of excitement, I harbour apprehension and misgivings as to how the Tco2 testing will play out on our biggest stage.
In the absence of One Stripe, his stable companion All Out For Six was sent off the tote favourite for the Langerman (Gr 3) over 1500m but, after making most of the running, he gave way to the Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen over the last 100m. Ridden by Richard Fourie, sporting the Nick Jonsson silks, the son of Lancaster Bomber is clearly progressive and his manner of victory suggests he may appreciate even further in time to come. Eight on Eighteen became the 21st Stakes winner this season for the Drakenstein Stud, breaking their previous record with still six weeks remaining before the curtain comes down.
The R250 000 Irridescence Stakes (Listed) for 2yo fillies over 1500m was won in good style by the well supported Eric Sands’ runner, Kinda Wonderful. Following the scratching of Polynomial, a small field of five lined up and not unexpectedly the pace set by Sahara Cat was rather modest. Fourie tried all he knew to keep her rolling in front, but it was apparent some way out that Craig Zackey was sitting with plenty in hand and once he pressed the button, Kinda Wonderful surged forward to score decisively.
Dixieland Band stayed on well over the latter stages to grab second spot ahead of the one-paced Sahara Cat and Miss World, who found no extra when placed under pressure by Corne Orffer approaching the last 200m.
Orffer enjoyed much better fortune in the R200 000 Winter Mile. Picking up the ride from the indisposed Aldo Domeyer, Orffer made the most of the opportunity, piloting the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Sugar Mountain to a very game and gutsy victory over his stable companion Gold Poker Game. The latter clearly relished the soft underfoot conditions and pressed Sugar Mountain all the way to the line but, despite giving away 6,5kgs, Sugar Mountain stuck to his task well to score by a neck.
The lightly-weighted Future Prince finished third ahead of Silver Operator, but Zapatillas faded away tamely from a handy position to finish at the rear of the field. Hopefully nothing too serious has gone amiss with the talented son of Master Of My Fate.
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