Marshall That, racing in the familiar red and white silks of Mike and Norma Rattray, gave notice that he is a colt to be reckoned with during the coming season with a smart showing in the Download The SA Racing App Maiden at Scottsville yesterday.
Alistair Gordon’s runner was all over the course when under pressure but put a fair maiden field to bed in good fashion under apprentice Eric Ngwane, coming home five lengths clear of the opposition.
The Rattray silks have long been a familiar sight on the country’s racecourses and although the pinnacle of Rattray’s racing ambitions has eluded him, namely a winner of the Vodacom Durban July, he has more than done his bit for racing, not only being a prolific owner but also a breeder of standing. Through his Lammerskraal Stud, where he gathered a formidable band of broodmares supplemented by top class stallions Western Winter and Go Deputy, he has contributed richly to the local gene pool.
Lammerskraal has been sold but there are many Rattray homebreds still racing under that banner with Marshall That being one of the last. By former champion stallion Fort Wood out of a daughter of Lammerskraal champion sire, Western Winter, Marshall That has the pedigree, and on yesterday’s evidence, the scope to be a contender in stakes races this season.
Weiho Marwing’s home yard at Ashburton has been quiet for a while with his Turffontein satellite yard more active but he was back with a bang yesterday with a smart double. Beaute Noire, having his first start for the yard for Green Street Bloodstock, landed the Blinkers Bar Maiden Plate comfortably under Marco van Rensburg. The second leg was a lot closer with The Rock prevailing by a piece of paper to edge out Kali’s King in the Itsarush.co.za Maiden Plate denying Ashburton colleague Duncan Howells a winner on his birthday.
As effective as a Mohammed Ali left-right combination to the chin, most exotic bet punters were on the canvas by the seventh. Dressed For Success, 5-1 in the official results but 10-1 with Betting World, triumphed under apprentice Dennis Schwarz for Paul Lafferty in the White Horse Function Room Handicap, the winner carrying a mere 48kg.
That was followed by favourite Humidor playing up in gate the before the Bartab No 56 @ Overport Handicap and being withdrawn by the course vet with Anthony Delpech helped off the back of the gate in severe pain. Finally under way, the result was a stampede for the wire with the Gavin van Zyl-trained Bagger Vance (12-1) heading home a trio of outsiders.
Delpech made a quick recovery and was back in the saddle for Wild Irish in the last, the Track And Ball Gaming Handicap, but to no avail. Midanswer, the subject of some late market support, landed the knock-out blow with the Pick 6 paying upwards of R198 000.
Andrew Harrison
