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Snaith Needs More Stables

3 minute read

Trainer Justin Snaith has continued his domination of the South African season but bemoaned his bid to become champion trainer for the first time is being thwarted by a lack of boxes in Johannesburg.

Snaith reached 100 wins for the season on Friday at Fairvew to be 24 wins clear of his closest rival Sean Tarry. His team have won R8.5 million and he is almost R2 million clear of Tarry in that category.

However he is desperately searching for boxes on a permanent basis at Turffontein but all he can secure at present from authorities are 10 boxes on a temporary three months basis.

“That is not economically viable,” Snaith said.

“We are not expecting to go there and clean up but three months is too short because it takes time for the horses to get acclimatised to the altitude.”

In Saturday feature race results Argentinian import Bouclette Top underlined his classic credentials when he outgunned Mr Mulliner to win the G3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m on Turffontein's inside track for trainer Alec Laird.

Chekilli was game in third, conceding 4kg to the rest of the field. He surrendered his unbeaten record in his first attempt beyond 1200m.

Laird expects Bouclette Top to improve and sees him as a likely contender for the Gauteng Guineas.

The victory added to the tally of in-form jockey S'manga Khumalo and owners Wilgerbosdrift, completing a feature double for the ownership after the Joey Soma-trained Athina's win in the corresponding event for fillies, the G3 Three Troikas Stakes.

Athina landed her first graded win under a well-judged ride from Sean Cormack, beating Close The Gap and Winter Star.

Athina had run second to Ilha Bela over this course and distance in October, only just touched off in the G3 Fillies & Mares Challenge, and had also had to settle for the same position when downed by Close The Gap in the Fillies Mile.

Soma expressed high expectations for the filly as a juvenile and she looks to be well on her way to the Gauteng Fillies Guineas.


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