Silver Operator and Trip of Fortune fought out a virtual knock-down brawl in the Matchem Stakes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday with the former edging the Grade 3 1400m contest by a whisker on a photo.
However, an objection was immediately lodged by the Stipes on behalf of the runner-up against the winner who they felt drifted off a straight line and caused interference.
After deliberations, hearing evidence from jockeys Aldo Domeyer and Grant van Niekerk, plus viewing head on video evidence of the bumping bout, the officials decided to uphold their objection, giving Hollywoodbets Matchem honours to Domeyer-ridden Trip of Fortune.
The four-year-old son of Trippi had run some outstanding races when pitched at a high level earlier in his career. He now seems to be mentally stronger and genuinely keen to compete as a determined racehorse since a rest and gelding. Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson deserved credit for her judicious handling of the Drakenstein Stud bred four-year-old – now a victor in six of 11 starts.
Both horses bought top quality 1400m form into the race. Six-year-old Silver Operator won the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville during the KZN Winter season, while Trip of Fortune clinched the Cape Classic.
Looking for Hounds, a 33-1 outsider, ran way above market expectations to secure the Trifecta slot with pace-setting grey, Russian Rock trying hard all the way to the line back in fourth.
Santa Maria, for the same Bass-Robinson/Drakenstein/Trippi connections, unleashed a big finish to extend her record at Durbanville to a perfect three wins from three starts in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes over 1400m. The final time was a full two seconds slower than the Matchem. She was all out to defeat favourite Chansonette by 0.50 lengths, after that one had moved up with menace midway down the straight before rolling about towards the finish.
Going Up made a bold bid in the centre of the track to get third with Kwinta’s Light who had tracked pacesetting Tipsy Tarragon, keeping on for the lower Quartet slot.
Santa Maria came out fresh to run particularly well, as is her wont. According to Drakenstein manager Kevin Sommerville, the daughter of Trippi with a daisy-cutting action also prefers the firmer surface which currently prevails at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. All told, the 14-1 longshot got the ideal set up and duly seized the opportunity.
Winning rider Corne Orffer said: "She has a soft mouth so got her head up off the slow early pace, but she settled before the straight and then ran on well.”
This was Santa Maria’s fifth win from 13 starts, and given her powerful turn of foot, she can add to that tally during the summer. - Cape Racing
Picture: Chase Liebenberg