BERNARD FAYD’HERBE

Racing generally during the month of July was dominated by three riders – Anthony Delpech with 14 winners and both Anton Marcus and Keagan De Melo each with 13 visits to the winner’s circle.

Choosing the winner from that group would have been difficult as each one held strong claims. But a stronger claim had to lie with Bernard for his tactical and talented handling of Marinaresco in getting the Silvano gelding across the line in the Vodacom Durban July under top weight of 60kg. It was the heaviest mass carried by a runner since Pamphlet shouldered 61kg over the then 2 000m trip a long way back in 1920 – almost 100 years.

Marinaresco was not the biggest horse in the race and Bernard showed his skill in placing him and preserving him for that electric finishing burst which he is known to have and then producing him just at the right moment to secure the victory.

Well done Bernard, it was an outstanding performance.