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SOUTH AFRICA: Pace Will Be On For Horse Of The Year

3 minute read

Horse of the Year Variety Club will have a pacemaker when he renews his rivalry with fellow G1 winners Jackson, Bravura, Princess Victoria and Master Plan in the G2 Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Variety Club<br>Photo by Liesl King
Variety Club
Photo by Liesl King

Trainer Joey Ramsden confirmed that The Helmsman, rated 24 kg inferior to his famous stablemate, is in the line-up to make the running.

“Variey Club has done well since his return earlier in the month and hopefully he has improved, Bravura likewise. Both horses are looking exceptionally well," Ramsden said.

The Green Point over 1600m is a rerun of the November 4 Pinnacle Stakes but it is over an extra 200m which will suit Jackson.

Brett Crawford said: “Jackson has definitely come on since the Pinnacle and the faster they go the better for him.”

Trainer Justin Snaith saddled six winners last weekend and is hoping to better that tally this weekend when he will have runners at Kenilworth and both Fairview meetings on Friday and Sunday.

Snaith's Green Point runner is Changingoftheguard, who won the G3 Matchem Stakes last time out.

“He is a very nice horse, but he’s taking on the equivalent of the Queen’s Plate field,’ Snaith told Nicci Garner of SA TAB News.

"He is doing very well at home and is in the best form of his life. I’m just hoping he’s good enough.’’

Snaith believes Variety Club and Jackson are "world class’’.

“They shouldn’t be racing in South Africa for stakes of R300,000 – they should be racing for 10-times that. That’s their value,’’ he said.

“The fact that horses like Variety Club and Jackson had to stay in South Africa means that the Grade 1 features will be that much stronger than normal. There won’t be any G1 `gimmes’ in Cape Town this season."

Snaith's other runners at the meeting include Valor Red, Equina and Sunset Girl.

He also has high hopes at Fairview on Friday for Cigar Boy in the Listed Racing Association Stakes over 1600m.

"He’s the best banker for the whole weekend. He’s very well and will take some beating," Snaith said.

Snaith has three runners in Port Elizabeth’s biggest race of the year, the G3 Betting World Algoa Cup over 2000m on Sunday – Jet Explorer, Indian Hawk and Why Worry.

The Algoa Cup is the only feature in the Eastern Cape that he has so far failed to win.

“I’m having a proper go and I couldn’t ask for a better hand," he said.

"I’ve got good horses and top jockeys in Piere Strydom (Jet Explorer), Muzi Yeni (Indian Hawk) and Glen Hatt (Why Worry). I’m very happy.’’

Jet Explorer is marginally the stable elect.

“He’s been primed for this race for the last eight months,’’ said Snaith.

“Everything we’ve done has been aimed at getting him fit and ready for this race. And he’s well weighted.

“He’s only finished further back than second twice in his career and is a very progressive horse."


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