Silent Partner to emerge from the shadows
Silent Partner has impressed whichever trainer has worked with him. He started with Deon Visser in KwaZulu-Natal and then moved to Mike de Kock.
The South African champion trainer did not feel that – to use his favourite expression – Silent Partner was ever “going to Hollywood” but he did believe the son of Silvano would pick up a feature or two, especially over distance.
Sadly for all the connections, Silent Partner failed to win a Graded or Listed race, his best performance probably coming the in the Grade 3 Durban July Consolation over 2200m at Greyville in 2012 where he finished a 1.50-length third behind Tribal Dance.
The six-year-old then moved to Port Elizabeth to be trained by Mitchell Wiese and the drop in class has produced some decent results. Silent Partner was introduced to the Polytrack in the Grade 3 Algoa Cup over 2000m and off a wide draw, he finished well to run a 2.10-length fifth to Disco Al.
Two runs later, over 1400m on the turf track, he burst away from his field to beat Justin Snaith-trained Ottima by three lengths. The runner-up returned to Kenilworth where he scored a 0.50-length victory over a decent field, thereby franking the form.
Silent Partner lines up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m on the Polytrack today and should be able to win for the second time in Port Elizabeth. Warren Kennedy takes the ride and they jump from barrier No 8.
Indian Hawk might prefer a touch further but Snaith has his yard in hot form and this five-year-old gelding ran a promising two-length third behind Way Clear over 2000m on this track last month. Richard Fourie takes the ride and they will jump from barrier No 3.
In A Rush could easily win this event if he produces his best form. He came up to the Highveld to win the Grade 3 Emerald Cup over 1450m on the sand. However, the five-year-old Windrush gelding has done little in his three runs since.
This will be his first run on the Polytrack and that could be the catalyst needed for him to find his fervour of old. He is drawn well at No 5 and has a 4kg claiming apprentice on top in Nicholas Patel.
