MADE of Money made the trip to Kimberley and, despite not having travelled as well as White Wood Aster and Fast Burner, the son of Rich Man’s Gold landed the spoils in the R 100 000 Flamingo Casino Mile, reports BERNARD IKER. 

Made Of Money raced up with the speed for most of the race and took the lead shortly after making the turn for home, staying on resolutely to win by three quarters of a length.  Mike De Kock commented: “I felt his sand form was strong enough to suggest that he had a good winning chance today.  It was a very good win, the Rich Man’s Gold’s get better with age and are also proving to be versatile in that they can run on both turf and sand. I thought he was given a good ride by Deon Sampson.” 

It was a fitting victory for Mrs Oppenheimer and her Mauritzfontein bred gelding given their historical ties with the region.  Stud manager, Gavin Schaffer was on hand to receive the trophy on Mrs O’s behalf.  Mike De Kock made the trip up from Durban and in his post race interview was full of praise for the sponsors, Flamingo Casino and host racing operator Phumelela.  Mike made special mention of how impressed he was with both the racing surface and its condition and went on to laud Peter Miller for his efforts in this regard.

 Mrs O sent three horses down to Kimberley today (6 September) to contest the two features and a handicap event.  Earlier in the day White Wood Aster, after being a little slow away and hanging for most of the race ran third in the R 75 000 Flamingo Casino Sprint. She will now be retired to Mrs O’s Mauritzfontein stud.

Fast Burner made it a double for Mrs O and Mike when winning the eighth race comfortably.  In so doing, she will retire to the paddocks of Mauritzfontein on a winning note.  All in all it was a profitable day for Mrs O and the stable.