2025 BETWAY SUMMER CUP
After a week of nerve-wracking weather, the skies cleared and a bumper 2025 Betway Summer Cup day was played out in front of a festive Jozi crowd.
The day’s feature went the way of KZN raiders trainer Frank Robinson, jockey Tristan Godden and 4yo Mauritzfontein home-bred Mocha Blend (Ideal World – Mocha Special).
As soon as the starter released the field from the gates, Godden moved his charge to the inside rail, settling her 3rd from last and letting her bowl along at the back of the field.
As soon as the field turned for home and came off the false rail, she grew wings, moving stealthily up the inside rail to be 4 lengths off the leaders with 600m to go.
At the 300m mark, she was sitting in the slipstream behind The Equator with The Ultimate King boxing her in. Godden switched her out to go round The Ultimate King and she hit the front, but then had to find more to fend off a spirited charge from Olivia’s Way. However, her courage prevailed and she crossed the line with half a length in hand, stopping the clock at 127.32.
“It doesn’t feel real, it still doesn’t feel real,” said a delighted Godden, who was celebrating his first Grade 1 victory. “I know a lot of people didn’t like her, but I did. People asked me what I was backing in the Summer Cup and I said I’m backing myself. You’ve got to come into races like this thinking you’ve got a chance. Realistically I thought she would run in the first four, but at the back of the Quartet.”
His sentiments were echoed by Robinson, also celebrating his first Gr1 victory. “I was quietly confident she would run into a place because I rate her. I knew 2000m is what she wanted and I think the conditions were ideal for her.”
Mocha Blend was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and races in Jessica Jell’s famous yellow and black Mauritzfontein silks. Mary Slack was on course to lead in the winner for her daughter.
The Ultimate King finished 2 lengths 3rd, Busstopinhounslow was 4th and second favourite The Equator (7-2) was fifth, beaten 4.90 lengths. Interestingly, five of the first eight past the post went off at 100-1.
Mocha Blend (Ideal World – Mocha Special) is a 4yo filly bred by Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift. She races in the interests of Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs J B Jell) and victory in the Betway Summer Cup takes her earnings to R3,734,462.