PACAYA – GIN STRIKE & DRAMA!

JP van der Merwe flies on up on Pacaya to nab Quasiforsure (Josh Solomons) in the final stride

It was turning into a rare blank day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday for Cape champion trainer Justin Snaith – that is until JP van der Merwe produced the well supported Pacaya with an electrifying turn of foot to win the R225 000 Gordon’s Gin Listed Jet Master Stakes in a dramatic finish.

Supported from an opening call of 16-1, the handily weighted, well drawn and relatively fresh Pacaya took off to finally register a first stakes success when nabbing longtime pacemaker Quasiforsure in the final stride to record a thrilling victory for the Duke Of Richmond Syndicate.

But despite the Snaith’s joy, it was went from a memorable to a forgettable race for lightweight Joshwin Solomons, who led the pack on Quasiforsure.

The young Manenberg-born lightweight on his only ride of the big day, was a winner everywhere bar the line, but appeared to put his hands down a stride or two from the edge and this cost him and the Quasiforsure backers and connections.

A sporting JP van der Merwe commiserated with runner-up jockey Joshwin Solomons. The Stipes have opened an inquiry into the ride.

In the final summary, those that found Pacaya will be smiling and his short head win in a time of 97,86 secs perhaps makes him a serious Cape Winter Series contender.

KZN Guineas winner Zapatillas (16-1) looked dangerous late and ran an improved third, a length away, while LÓrmarins King’s Plate winner Al Muthana (11-2) was well beaten a further 1,75 lengths back in fourth.

Another Drakenstein-bred feature winner, Pacaya is raced by The Duke of Richmond Syndicate and is a son of Trippi (End Sweep) out of the top class staying mare Ash Cloud (Black Minnaloushe).

A winner of 4 races with 3 places from 11 starts , the winner has earned R301 400.