See It Again and Fortune’s formula for success - Mark van Deventer
See It Again s/s 108 stayed on best to outduel longshot
Legal Counsel s/s 107 and win the
Cape Town Met with
The Real Prince s/s 106 running a great race in third, when not quite lasting home.
In doing so,
See It Again, trained by Justin Snaith, confirmed that he is back to his previous imperious best, after a bleak spell when anxiety and starting stalls misbehavior threatened to scupper his career.
He was handled with calm aplomb by Andrew Fortune who is riding better than ever after being re-admitted to racing in his mid-50’s. Fortune has battled addiction, multiple run in’s with racing authorities, a weight problem and a generally wild, self-destructive streak to drastically re-invent himself as a dedicated professional jockey.
He works hard every day, forges special affinities with the horses in morning gallops, prepares diligently from a tactical point of view and is fearless and flexible when carrying out optimal race riding strategies.
That focus and adaptability was seen to good effect on
Double Grand Slam (s/s 95 +, has run much higher) in the
Majorca Stakes. Fortune anticipated the lack of pace, positioned her handier than usual, then made an early move which proved decisive as she just held off a charging
Rainbow Lorikeet.
In a quirky twist, Fortune got the better of his son, Aldo Domeyer on
Legal Counsel and
Rainbow Lorikeet, in both G1’s.
As noted in this blog,
All the Rage s/s 100 ++ is a sprinter of high quality. Trainer Candice Bass is excited about his future after he glided to another smooth score in the
Winchester Sprint.
Snow Pilot bounced back to best, with the benefit of a perfect stalk and pounce trip to earn the day’s top figure of 109. He is formidable over a true run 1400m. He only just got there, courtesy of a finely timed ride by Richard Fourie with the closing cavalry close behind.
They included
Powerandtheglory s/s 108,
Gallic Dream s/s 108 and
Raven Black s/s 108. These are strong numbers and all three beaten horses are worth following.
Notable figures in the high 90’s were attained by Snaith Racing’s emerging Derby contender,
Note To Self s/s 98; Bass’’
Babelicious s/s 99 and the Michelle Rix trained,
Time for Love s/s 98 who returned to form in the Summer Fling.
One of the bigger upsets on the day saw
Star Major s/s 97 get past Happy Verse in the
Politician Stakes. Happy Verse, under Fortune, moved up inside the final 400m and it looked race over, but Luyulo Mxothwa was tracking Fortunes every move and pounced at the right moment on James Crawford’s entry to zap the favourite.
Even the best in the business, know you can’t win all the time!
Bio: Mark van Deventer has been refining his speed figures for thoroughbred racehorses over three decades. A full-time racing journalist since 2013, he’s known for his integrity and imaginative handicapping, adapting the principles of Andrew Beyer’s figures to South African racecourses.
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