Laing's Integrity shows her class

Trainer Tara Laing scored her first win of the season when Integrity, with Ryan Munger in the irons, crossed the line first in the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes over 1600m at Fairview on Friday.

Most racegoers expected the race to be a two-horse contest between Alan Greeff’s Santa Therese and Justin Snaith’s Rain In Newmarket.

These two did indeed finish second and third respectively, but it was Integrity who stole the show thanks to a wonderful ride by Munger, paying R10,90 for the win.

“Santa Therese and Rain In Newmarket were the horses to beat, the rest of the field was quite open,” said Munger after the race.

“I know they both like to come off the pace, and so does my filly (Integrity).

“She broke the gates well, and I just ended up in front. I couldn’t believe my luck.

“I went around on a nice sedate canter. Nobody challenged me, and I knew the only way I was going to get the win was to try and pinch it from them at the top of the straight.

“I really turned it into a sprint. I just had to time it right to get her to sprint all the way to the line. That’s what she did.
“She deserves this kind of win. She’s a hard knocking filly. She’s honest.

“Full credit to Tara and her whole team. She’s produced the goods and it’s a much deserved win.”

According to Munger it wasn’t a true run race.

“I went to the front and did my own fractions. It was quite sedate which suited me and didn’t suit them.”

The other feature race on the day, the Listed Memorial Mile over 1600m, was won by Grazinginthegrass for Alan Greeff. S’manga Khumalo was in the saddle.

The Snaith-trained Nexus, with Piere Strydom aboard, did most of the frontrunning and when they hit the 200m mark, it looked as if he would hold on for victory.

But Grazinginthegrass produced a tremendous kick and sailed past Nexus when it mattered.