The GOMMA GOMMA Challenge : A tribute to LIONEL COHEN

Lionel Cohen Just a couple of months ago, we penned a piece in recognition of Lionel Cohen’s contribution to the nation’s breeding industry. The big race on Saturday served as another endorsement of this extraordinary man’s talents, when Eddington skated home by some 2 ½ lengths in the Gomma Gomma Challenge (Gr.1,) defeating most of Gauteng’s top middle distance performers. A couple of things accrue from this victory.

Firstly, it illustrates that there is no substitute in the industry for the skills of a proper horseman. Lionel is world-class, and would hold his own in any company anywhere. Let’s not forget, just a week before he bred the Fillies Guineas winner as well.

Secondly, it tells us that the three year olds are up there with the older horses, certainly in the prevailing conditions, but we’ve little reason to doubt that Eddington would still have won the race, whatever the conditions.

Thirdly, in taking eight of the Feature races on the card, Vuma Feeds secured their second consecutive “clean sweep” of Gauteng’s major racing festivals, and in picking up the two Juvenile Features in KZN midweek, they repeated their success of a fortnight ago in the same department. Gauteng and KZN, two weeks and two doubles. Stay with the exacta: on current form, it works!