Pierre Corne Orffer is riding at the top of his game and rarely does a Western Cape meeting go by without the journeyman jock visiting the winners’ enclosure.
He rode two winners and two seconds at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday 19 November, and on the 10-race Cape Town card on Saturday 23 November, Orffer rode a winner for Andre Nel as well as a second and three third-place finishes on the day. His hot streak continued at Cape Racing HQ on Tuesday 26 November with a 270-1 double for the Nel yard on the 10-event programme, winning aboard 33-1 outsider Gentleman Joe in a hard-fought finish to the 1600m Class 4 and highly rated three-year-old O’ Tenikwa (7-1) in a Class 4 contest over 1200m.
Furthermore, Orffer’s purple patch shows no sign of abating and will likely spill over to the next midweek meeting in the Mother City on Wednesday 4 December. He has six rides, including two particularly attractive betting propositions on the nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and bettors are encouraged to have a confident Win bet on both horses.
Gareth van Zyl-trained Luhamba Phambili (which, translated from isiZulu, means ‘Move Forward’) made a winning Cape introduction last month under Orffer over 1000m. This well-bred son of Danon Platina won the Non-Black Type feature from the front after a nimble getaway, displaying natural speed early on and tenacity in the finish as he shook off the challengers under Orffer to win by a length from Roman Agent, with subsequent Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Lion Rampart back in fourth (1.30 lengths).
That victory also marked a milestone for the three-year-old gelding’s owners as it was the Hollywood Syndicate’s 600th winner!
Luhamba Phambili didn’t escape the attention of the handicapper, who gave Van Zyl’s charge a sizeable six-point penalty. However, with just four racecourse appearances under his belt and the likelihood of improvement, that 3kg is unlikely to prevent the improving Luhamba Phambili from winning again when he returns to the scene of his Need For Speed victory in Race 8 over the same course and distance with Orffer aboard.
Experienced Veronique should strike earlier on the card under Orffer for owner-trainer Greg Ennion in Race 6 over 1400m. This hard-knocking six-year-old daughter of Pathfork has maintained her form and consistency at this level in seven starts with blinkers fitted and she is expected to give another competitive account of herself.
Ennion’s mare won a similar contest over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in late September and a resultant 6-point penalty hasn’t halted her momentum in two subsequent starts. She ran on from last to finish an eye-catching third over the straight 1200m at Kenilworth 18 days ago and, on the evidence of that performance, Veronique will appreciate going round a bend again over the extended trip.
Clive Robinson
