Hospitality finally managed to keep his head in front when it mattered most to win the R125 000 Listed Durbanville Cup at Kenilworth in the Cape on Wednesday.
Photo by Gold Circle
The Mike Stewart trained Hospitality is a honest stayer with a front running style that often costs him his races, as he tends to get caught close to home.
Mary Hinge led the field past the post for the first time, but Hospitality soon took over his customary position at the head of the field. The son of Badger's Drift was however in no hurry and led the field down the back straight at a pedestrian pace.
He was joined at the front by the Mike Bass trained Another Giant (AUS), with Mary Hinge hanging tough in third. M J Byleveld on Another Giant was content to let Hospitality maintain his lead of a length and a half as the field entered the home straight.
At the 200m mark with attacks coming from all directions, Byleveld sent Another Giant on his way and the son of Giant's Causeway managed to get his head in front of Hospitality. It appeared as if Hospitality had once again been collared close to the line, but his jockey was having none of it.
Karis Teetan, aboard Hospitality refused to give up and for once the gelding fought back and turned the tables of Another Giant as the line loomed. The final result was Hospitality by a half length from Another Giant, with Posh Boy a further length back in third.
Hospitality, a six year old gelding by Badger's Drift out of the Jallad mare Party Hostess, was recording his eight win from thirty-five starts for owners Ms G A Jaffee and Messrs M H, R C and L H Jaffee.
Final result:
No Horse Jockey Fin Dist Time SP
3 HOSPITALITY Karis Teetan 1 0.00 207.79 5/29 ANOTHER GIANT (AUS) M J Byleveld 2 0.50 207.89 15/2
6 POSH BOY Devin Ashby 3 1.50 208.09 13/11 IN WRITING (ARG) Karl Neisius 4 2.25 208.24 11/2
2 HAWK'S EYE (GB) Glen Hatt 5 2.55 208.30 6/15 TWO STRIKES Richard Fourie 6 3.05 208.40 9/2
