The mighty Yard-Arm, favourite for the R1,5-million Vodacom Durban
July, stamped his authority on South African racing at Clairwood
Racecourse on Saturday when he stormed to a sensational victory
in the R400 000, Grade 1 Gold Challenge.
Over a distance short of his best, Geoff Woodruff’s four-year-old
Western Winter gelding posted a time of 93,43 secs, just a fraction
off the course record of 93,16 secs held by specialist miler, Free
My Heart. As he strode out strongly up the straight he had the crowd
cheering him home as he left his opposition, led by the gallant
Key Of Destiny.
It was a performance that sent out a clear message to the 19 runners
that will oppose him at Greyville Racecourse on July 3 - they will
have to produce something very special if they hope to have any
chance of beating him.
With stable companion Celtic Grove setting a strong pace seven
lengths clear of the field, Yard-Arm settled in second place ahead
of Key Of Destiny and Set Afire. As they swept into the home straight
Celtic Grove’s lead had been reduced to three lengths with Yard-Arm
just waiting for Mark Khan to turn him loose.
Yard-Arm made his move as they came off the false rail and he accelerated
past Celtic Grove and headed for the judge. Nicholas Shearer sent
Key Of Destiny after the champion and it looked like he might have
a chance of closing the gap. But the harder Key Of Destiny tried
– and he really gave his all - the more Yard-Arm found and, under
a strong ride by Mark Khan, he strode on to win comfortably.
In the post race interview, Mark Khan said Yard-Arm gave him a
good feel. "He was very quiet and confident and he is probably
one of the best I have ever ridden."
Geoff Woodruff, very pleased with his charge’s performance, said
over the 1 600 metres with horses like Key Of Destiny and Domino
Man in the field, while it was all well and good to be confident,
it was going to be a hard race and he was happy it was over.
In the R150 000, Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes it was Woodruff’s Argentinean-bred
filly, Lady Caroloty, that made the early running from Akinfeet,
Platinum Rose and Dunmore West. She brought the field into the home
straight with Akinfeet the first to challenge. Platinum Rose, Bushra,
Dunmore West and Battle Maiden were all in the pack ready to make
the challenges.
With 300 metres to run Lady Caroloty still held the lead but Neil
Bruss’s Goldkeeper filly, Battle Maiden, looked dangerous on the
inside and Real Red was making a claim on the outside. But it was
Battle Maiden that got the better of Lady Caroloty in the closing
stages, Robbie Hill having brought his filly up the inside while
Peter Dillon had allowed the Woodruff filly to drift towards the
outside of the track.
It was a close thing right to the line but Battle Maiden proved
the better on the day and won from Lady Caroloty, Star Watch and
Hello Margarita.
In an interview after the race, Bruss said he believed Battle Maiden
was a good filly. In the Oaks last year the 2 400 metres had been
a bit too far for her and the 1 450 metres on Saturday was too short
for her. However, having come back from a break she was racing a
little fresh and above herself.
"I think she’s a good filly and there’s a lot more to come
from her. She is lightly raced and we have her in the Garden Province
on July Day. We had thought of the July this season but there is
always next season.
"She’s a very sound, tough filly and she has lots of class.
The world’s her oyster."
The first of the graded features on the day was the R125 000, Grade
3 Cup Trial over 1 800 metres and with three runners in the race
Geoff Woodruff looked to have a strong winning chance but things
did not turn out that way.
Mike de Kock’s Dancing Alliance made the early running ahead of
Alastor, Golden Moment and Becker’s Theme. Hold The Fort was well
back in the field.
Through the 800 metre mark Dancing Alliance still headed the field
with Golden Moment having moved into second place ahead of Alastor
and Hold The Fort still had some ground to make up.
As they swung into the home straight Corne Orffer moved Alastor
up to challenge the leading pair. He moved through into the lead
with the lesser fancied of the Woodruff runners, Golden Moment,
staying on doggedly as Hold The Fort began to close in on the leaders.
Master Gold was moving up as well but Alastor stuck to his task
and kept on strongly to win from Hold The Fort with Master Gold
running a big race in third place ahead of Le Champ and Golden Moment.
It was a day of exciting racing enjoyed by a nice crowd in balmy
winter weather.