WE don’t see Rudra quite so often at the racetrack, but when he does make an appearance, the 2008 Summer Cup winner always creates a bit of a buzz.

Mike de Kock happened to find a Pinnacle Plate for the six-year-old at Turffontein on Tuesday evening and the weather played along. Rudra likes it soft and he turned this 1600m even into a procession, giving his rivals a galloping lesson.

“I didn’t do much, he just pulled me along,” enthused jockey Ant0n Marcus, who loomed up on the inside running rail and had Rudra’s supporters shouting “race over!” 200m from home.

“It’s nice to be in the winner’s box again,”commented part-owner Ferdi Ladeira, who along with his wife Liz seldom miss a race meeting when the strong chestnut is carded to step out.

Rudra competes in the silks of owner Tony Moodley. Erstwhile Springbok scrumhalf Paul Bayvel, Chris Gerber and Mike himself are also included in the partnership.

“Rudra tends to race well fresh. He’s beaten stronger but he wasn’t near wound up so this was an excellent win. The underfoot conditions helped,” said Mike.

Rudra has won six of 29 starts and over R2,5 million in stakes. He is by Parade Leader from Tawny Red and was bred by Mike Rattray’s Lammerskraal Stud.

Photo of Rudra by JC Photos.