October 28 - On Saturday at Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg, South Africa Christmas came early for Santa and those horse racing punters who backed him, when the gelding beat out a big field to snatch a well-deserved victory in the 2600m R135,000 Java Handicap, including former champion Long Dollar and other formidable runners.

The five-year-old gelding soon settled into the middle of the 15-horse field behind pacesetter's Chico Azul, Fearless Thomas and race favorite Major Champion. Following them a little further back were Matreshka and Long Dollar, and then Santa.

Turning for home and just as the four frontrunners were starting to disappear from sight is when the challenges started coming thick and fast. These were led by Long Dollar who catapulted into the lead but was soon forced to contend with Santa, who was fast approaching from the outside.

At the same time Royal Captive - also looking strong - started to make his play for the lead putting additional pressure on Long Dollar. However, close to the finish line Royal Captive started to run out of steam while Santa's fires were being increasingly stoked, carrying him over the line ahead of Long Dollar.

Third place was eventually snagged by Western Walk followed by Royal Captive in fourth. What makes Santa's victory so impressive is that the gelding was carrying a mammoth top weight of 60kg, and yet still managed to find the staying power asked of him by jockey Marthinus Mienie.

Said Mienie after the race, 'I am very pleased with the way Santa ran today in the Java Handicap demonstrating that he can come from behind to win a race, despite carrying a lot of weight and going up against some strong competition. I am sure that his connections are very pleased with the result.'

Bred by Mr G H Rowles, Santa is a South African gelding by National Emblem (SAF) out of Say I Do (SAF) by Rocky Marriage (USA) and is owned by P T Dimakogiannis and P Dimakogiannis Jr.

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2011/12/09 12:48:41 AM