The Conglomerate threw his hat into the ring for the Daily News 2000 and the Vodacom Durban July with a smashing win in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas. Possibly taken in by the often moderate pace in which many races are run in the Cape, Joey Ramsden was surprised as the lesser fancied of his two runners landed the Guineas from Mac De Lago and Light The Lights.

“I must be honest I thought it was too short. I didn’t think he could win an eight furlong race, but they went like hell.” Anton Marcus echoed Ramsden’s sentiments. “I thought it was patently too short but he was aided by the good tempo up front.”

Marcus was at his sublime best as he tracked the pace set by Riff Raff and Amazing Strike with Ramsden’s more fancied runner Kingvoldt tucked in behind.

Marcus went early on The Conglomerate and pinched what turned out to be a winning lead. “I was cursing Anton. I thought he had gone too early,” laughed Ramsden.

Mac De Lago run on steadily up the inside rail to take second with Light The Lights just ahead of a wall of horses.

Disappointment was Kingvoldt who found nothing in the straight.

By Andrew Harrison

Picture: The Conglomerate winning the Gr 2 KRA Guineas (Nkosi Hlophe)