Mitchley’s runners look hot after holiday

Danie Toerien

Trainer Kelly Mitchley on Friday at Fairview explained why her runners are suddenly looking top-notch again: they’ve all been on holiday.

After scoring a quick-fire double in the opening pair of races with Vintage Crystal and Erimitage respectively, Mitchley explained that her runners were all given some time off.

“Yes, we had a virus in the yard,” said Mitchley in the post-race interview after the second. “We cut back on all our horses’ work. We gave them some time off just to recharge them and freshen them up.

“It seemed to have worked well for them. You can see it in their coats as well as in the way they’re working. Everything seems to be going according to plan.

“We had three weeks of relaxing, giving them time also to get over their horse sickness (vaccines).”

Mitchley’s double were both ridden by Richard Fourie, who made his seasonal debut in Gqeberha.

Trainer Sharon Kotzen had a remarkable day, not only opening her account for the current campaign, but saddling a brace, of winners, the first being Island Master in Race 4, ridden by Louie Mxothwa.

“We finally had a winner for the month,” said Kotzen after Island Master put her on the board. “It’s been a very long month.”

According to Kotzen Island Master has just been maturing the whole time. “He was pretty backwards and just learning to race. But he is starting to mature now. With a bit more experience I think we will see a lot more from him.”

Kotzen’s second winner was Graduation Time in Race 7, ridden by Philasande Mxoli.

Jacques Strydom also opened his campaign account with Downing Seven in Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 2 200m. This five-year-old gelding ridden by Denis Schwarz paid R14.10 for the win on the tote.