An interprovincial double with two Ridgemont-bred two year olds capped a good weekend for trainer Clinton Binda who runs his operation from his private training establishment, in Lanseria.
Binda, who turns 60 in September, learnt the trade with Robin Smith in Zimbabwe and Mark Watters at Milnerton, and is well-known for running his horses unshod.
His association with the Ridgemont team dates back some time and both of his weekend winners were products of the Robertson nursery, racing in the partnership of the breeding operation and Devin Heffer.
Potala Palace’s progressive daughter Season’s Greetings broke her maiden at her third start at Turffontein on Saturday, giving Gavin Lerena the first of his five winners on the afternoon.
The winner, who is out of the Western Winter mare Winter Reserve, clocked 68,85 secs for the 1160m and looks to have a bright future.
Twenty four hours later in the KZN capital city, the dark green, blue and white silks were in the winner’s enclosure again when the Rafeef colt Chapbook stamped his authority to win at short odds of 3-10.
Also winning at his third outing, Chapbook was ridden by Ridgemont retained jockey Richard Fourie and is out of the Poet’s Voice mare, Leaves Of Grass.
Everything points to him being an exciting prospect with the potential to win over more ground.
Ridgemont will be sponsoring the prestigious Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday for the third consecutive year, and with a serious prospect in their Rafeef home-bred Mon Petit Cherie coming in fresh off her KZN Fillies Guineas success, the hopes are high that she can run a big race for the sponsors in a quality line-up.
Last year Ridgemont bred the top two home, when Humdinger (What A Winter) beat Happy Chance (Dynasty) in a thriller.
The R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes is off at 17h00 on Saturday 5th July.