3 minute read

The master trainer Mike Bass produced multiple Group 1 winner What A Winter to claim his second R600 000, WFA Group 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship (1000m) at Kenilworth on Saturday, the final sprinting race of the Cape Summer Season.

To crown the win, it was immediately announced by connections that the well-bred and well-performed five-year-old Western Winter entire would be retired to stand at Drakenstein Stud for the 2013 season.

Bass had run What A Winter in the Group 1, WFA L’Ormarins Queen Plate over 1600m on January 12th but the experiment was not successful. The unplaced run raised the question of What A Winter being able to come back to the sprint distance of the Cape Flying Championship.

Bass had no doubts about the ability of his charge to cope with the change and What A Winter emphatically backed up his trainer aided by a patient ride by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

What A Winter’s main rival was the three-year-old filly Via Africa under Alex Forbes and so it proved to be, but not before What A Winter and Fayd’Herbe gave the filly a considerable start.

Via Africa broke well from barrier four and immediately Forbes laid down the challenge by going straight to the lead followed by Torra Bay (AUS). Fayd’Herbe settled What A Winter at the rear of the nine horse field and sheltered from the stiff headwind.

Via Africa travelled well facing the breeze racing on the standside rail with the rest of the field following and for a moment it appeared that What A Winter was in a pocket as the filly went 4L ahead.

However, Fayd’Herbe sent What A Winter forward from the 400m and quickly they were clear of the rest of the field and ranging up alongside Via Africa. With 200m to run, What A Winter surged to the lead and had the race under his control from that point.

Via Africa tried valiantly to maintain terms with What A Winter, but the entire had too much class and experience and he went away for a good 3/4L win.

Via Africa (Var) was a clear second over Cap Alright (Captain Al) and Karis Teetan with the margin 4 1/4L.

The time was 58.65 on the Good track.

Bass thought that What A Winter would have at least two further sprint races and he nominated The Mercury Sprint at Clairwood and the Computerform Sprint at Turffontein.

“If he wants to run I will be happy have a go,” he said.

What A Winter, out of the Ahonoora mare Waseela, was winning for the 12th time from 21 starts and he has earned stakes of R2 465 250 for owners Bryn Ressell, G N Shirtliff and N M Shirtliff and Bass.