By Fifi Rhodes
SWAKOPMUND
Iris Assembly’s decisive move on the turn of the year 2007’s N$4,500 Hansa Cup Coastal Horse Race at Swakopmund served as a reminder of her lofty status in the 5-year-old filly division of 2007.
Winning her first big stake Iris Assembly rallied from fifth on the turn of the 800-metre mark to score a convincing victory by one length, ahead of favourites Kings Lodge and Deep Impact finishing in a track record time of 1:50.54.
Kings Lodge, co-owned by Christiaans, Freygang and Diergaardt was a strong favourite and ran accordingly under jockey Walter van Wyk.
Iris Assembly stalked pacesetters Super Solly of Emil van Wyk and Smashing Century of Joggie van Wyk through early fractions of 23.38 and 46.25 seconds, and was still in the middle of the seven-strong competitive field on the final turn.
Kaapnaar Diergaardt the jockey asked Iris Assembly for an effort on the turn and quickly got a response with a wide rally. She was hand-ridden to the front passing the marker and given a few right-handed reminders before pulling clear.
“I was surprised she was so wide,” trainer Joggie van Wyk said. “It looked like he asked her and she took off and he was pulling her up at the end.” Iris Assembly was well clear of Kings Lodge that finished a length clear of Deep Impact, winner of the Windhoek July of last year.
Polor Pistol, the winner of the Richelieu Cup in September 2007, finished fourth, a neck in front of Colour Me Indigo.
For the big crowd that turned out and joined in the fun, hot coffee, roast meat and rooster brood were the order of the day as the runners for the D-division were put through their paces.ǟ