Bohica Takes Gr1 Cape Flying Championship

For veteran trainer Mike Azzie the Capetown Noir gelding’s victory in the Pongracz Gr1 Cape Flying Championship buried a frustrating legacy of treble runner-up finishes in the speed spectacle, as well as the hotly debated National Currency third place behind Eli’s Game in the 2003 renewal.

Azzie, who trains in partnership with his son Adam, has won every Gr1 sprint in the country, but the Cape Flying Championship had eluded the top conditioner until Saturday, when a terrific ride by Smanga Khumalo got Bohica home in a thrilling three-cornered finish.

It was sweet revenge for the Gauteng operation after Bohica was beaten into second by Saturday’s favourite Rio Querari in the 2021 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein.

In a race not unsurprisingly packed with raw speed, Bohica was always up with the pace down the inside as Pleasedtomeetyou and the fancied Real Gone Kid stayed in touch

Inside the final 250m the challenges were coming from all wides but Bling kept Bohica at his task to hold the Bass-Robinson pair of Mr Cobbs and African Rain to two short heads, with the favourite Rio Querari just over a half length back in fourth.

Real Gone Kid, related to KZN sire Summa Cum Laude, was not disgraced, running fifth and just a length off the winner.

Trainer Adam Azzie’s initiative in schlepping down on the long road trip from Johannesburg was richly rewarded.

The connections had debated the decision over three days before committing to the extra costs and challenge.

“We’re pleased we took the chance – Bohica may be a bit in and out but on his best form we felt he could run close. S’Manga gave him a great ride, sticking to pacesetter Pleasedtomeetyou’s girth, coming off the bit late, then being so strong in the finish!” said Azzie

A handsome son of Equus Champion Miler and a Cape Derby and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Capetown Noir (Western Winter), the Summerhill Stud-bred winner is out of the unraced Mullins Bay mare, Wysiwyg – a half sister to Model K from the family of Mannequin and Kalami.

Lee Scribante of Piemonte Stud, who stands Capetown Noir, is pleased to report he sent the stallion standing at his farm in Summerveld, 14 mares the past season.

Wysiwyg stands at the boutique breeding farm of Sandra Trethewey in Greytown, KZN.

A R300 000 graduate of the 2018 Summerhill Ready To Run Sale, Bohica has won 7 races with 9 places from 24 starts for stakes of R1 239 175.

-extract sportingpost.co.za