Star sprinter What A Winter notched up his 10th career victory at Kenilworth yesterday. The five year old entire was eased up in the closing stages by Fayd’Herbe to beat a game Cap Alright into second with Depardieu running third.

At a rejuvenated and near perfect conditioned Kenilworth track, Mike Bass opened his winning account in the first of the afternoon with his odds on filly Fly By Night. A full sister to her well performed stablemate Jet into the Wind.  She had come on well since being touched off first time out three weeks ago to win comfortably here under Neisius by a length and a half. Well done to Klipdrfift Stud and to Henry and Pat Devine, she looks like she may be one to keep an eye out for, and like her brother, should be best up to a mile. Click here to watch the race.

All eyes were on What A Winter as he made his second appearance for the season in the 5^th, a pinnacle plate over 1100m. The public were weary to take the 4/10 on offer after his below par effort over a furlong shorter when finishing a disappointing 4^th a month ago. After being scoped on that occasion, he was found to have a severe lung infection and failed to run on as a result. He made amends for that blotch run here, but he is still not at his best said Bernard Fayd’Herbe  in his post-race interview “I think it set him back quite a bit and he didn’t give me the kick he usually does when I ask him, when he does I just about fall off him” he said.  He did enough to win, which is all we asked for but he is still recovering and nowhere near his capability. Mike Bass reiterated his statement and said it was no cause for concern as most trainers are suffering the same bout of infections which seem to be doing the rounds with the Cape trainers.

Nonetheless we are glad to have found the winners box. There are not many options for him this season besides the two group sprint’s, the Diadem and the Grade 1 Cape Flying up the straight. We are still in two minds with him whether or not to have another crack around the turn. This may be the last season he races before going to stud and a race like the Queen’s Plate looks appealing. He settles well in his running and as a five year old we can’t find a reason why he shouldn’t see out this trip.

Well done to Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell who enjoyed a good double with What A Winter and Taipan who won the listed Woolavington.

Brynn is still fairly new to racing and has invested a significant amount into the game over a short period of time and is thankfully reaping the rewards of his efforts. “I didn’t know what pressure was until I discovered horse racing” he said “” What A Winter is still my favourite. He is a pressure horse to own and was won 10 from 18 races but he still gives me a near nervous breakdown every time he runs”

What A Winter

Fly By Night