Rollo The Viking plunders the spoils

NATHAN KOTZEN and apprentice Dezahn Louw pulled off a memorable double at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

- ANDREW HARRISON

Twocantango was followed up a half-hour later by Rollo The Viking in the Middle Stakes that headed the card, both winners owned by prolific owner Sid Moodley.

Race caller Sheldon Peters had his work cut out sorting out the host of Hollywood Racing's colours with five runners in the race including race favourite The Shepherd.

The Shepherd However, The Shepherd was the least of his worries as he surrendered tamely in the run for the line as Rollo The Viking quickened out of the pack chased hard on the outside by the smart filly Mocha Blend who had come from the tail of the field to make her challenge. Rollo The Viking held on gamely with Mocha Blend hard on his heels and the Hollywood horse fighting for minor money.

It was an excellent seasonal debut by Mocha Blend who will enjoy a furlong or so further and the Highveld Spring Season beckons as Frank Robinson is never afraid to raid. There are no certainties in racing and that point was clearly illustrated in the card opener as odds-on favourite Bombardier Boy got rolled in the Open Maiden as the two fillies, Capricious Miss and Austrian Beauty, fought out the finish with Bombardier Boy caught late by Kingsboy to finish in the shallow end of the purse.