Jet Dark and Kommetdieding have been the best horses in South Africa for three memorable seasons – in a fierce rivalry that will be long remembered by racing fans.
On Saturday – at the overcast, noisy and colorful Kenilworth race – it was Jet Dark who got the upper hand. only.
Five years, trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by Richard Fourie, won the 2023 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met by a short head, overhauling Kommetdieding in the final stride of the old famous 2 000m race.
A stunning finish
The five-year-old, who started at 4-1, produced a stunning late burst of speed to beat defending champion Met (8-1) – who looked the winner from 100m under Gavin Lerena.
also read: The dark jet compares to old rival Kommetdieding in the thriller Met
In third place was 66-1 outsider Pomp And Power, who streaked up from last place, 20 lengths off the pace at the bend. In fourth is Nexus (66-1), ahead of Cousin Casey (4-1) and Rascallion (40-1).
Snaith was saddled first, third and fourth.
intermission
Jet Dark’s owners Nick Jonsson and Tommy Crowe revealed that their horse will be retired to stud immediately. It seems Kommetdieding, trained by Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix, also headed for the breeding warehouse.
“He and Kommetdieding; what can you say This is an incredible way to send these great horses to the stables,” said Fourie.
Read more: Superstar Christophe Soumillon struts his stuff at the Met
Jonsson and Crowe paid tribute to the runner-up, the old combatant.
“Jet Dark made Kommetdieding and Kommetdieding made him,” Crowe said.
Jonsson added: “There are no right words to describe having a horse like this. He is incredible.” He also heaped praise on his cleaner Jet Dark, Rasta Mwelase – “one of the heroes of this story” – as the only person in the yard can handle the “Playful” colt.
Durban July runner-up last time
Fourie said the race was slow, making it difficult to find a comfortable traveling position.
Cousin Casey took the lead after the start, with Sparkling Water on his hip and Jet Dark also prominent.
Kommetdieding was the midfielder for most of the trip and Pomp And Power carried the back from a very wide draw.
In the straight, the field is tracked to the outside rail – as has been the fashion at Kenilworth in recent weeks. Fourie and Jet Dark lost rhythm when the horse jumped the shadow and then cramped for room.
Kommetdieding met the way up the middle of the track and clearly false. the short-lived challenge came from the 7-2 favorite Make It Snappy, Nexus and Rascallion, but Lerena’s urgings kept Kommetdieding Rolling what looked to the whole world like a double Met.
But Fourie got his act together on the outside and flew up to take the honours.
The main disappointments were the three-year-old filly Make It Snappy, who faded away to midfield, and the Durban July champion Sparkling Water, another filly, who came second last.
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– news@citizen.co.za