Wednesday Double For Clifton Stud
Peter and Jenny Blyth of Clifton Stud were on course on Wednesday to enjoy their double of the day, achieving 100% with two runners and two winners.
The first of the double saw the very exciting What A Winter filly in Race 2 surge to a courageous win for the part Clifton owned juvenile trained by Garth Puller, owned in partnership with Garth, Miss T Roussos and Mr and Mrs A M Da C Quintas.
Petit Verdot is out of Valdovino by Al Mufti, making her a half-sister to Hong Kong Gr3 winner Chefano (previously Vacquero), who also narrowly missed Gr1 victory in the East to finish second. She is also a half sibling to Vino Veritas, this being the family of Sunshine Silk and sire Majestic Crown.
An elated Peter Blyth stated that he had sent the filly to the National Yearling Sale, but she didn’t get a bid in the ring. She finished second on course debut to the highly thought of Shantastic, and this win comes second time out.
Race 7 saw the smart Prince Of Taranto defeat a quality field, including the likes of 8-time winner and Gr2 winner Mardi Gras and the rated Courageous Cat, as well as feature winning #kznbreds Hasta Manana and Ishnana.
The Clifton bred son of Crusade is a half-brother to the smart prospect Captain Casey, who lines up in the Gr2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes on Saturday.
Prince Of Taranto registered his 5th career victory for trainer Tony Rivalland and owners Messrs Gerard de Rauville, Neil Butcher, Robert Maingard, Michel Nairac, Tony Rivalland and Patrick Rivalland.
Out of Mullins Bay mare Casey’s Dance, Prince Of Taranto was another horse that did not attract a bid and passed by unsold at the 2019 KZN Yearling Sale.
The dam, Casey’s Dance, is the Spey Bridge Champion 3YO Female for the years 2013/14 and Spey Bridge Triple Tiara winner in 2013/14 in Zimbabwe with 5 wins. This is the family of Hong Kong export Potent Power (Rocket Let Win) and ARCSA Champion 2YO filly, Fov’s Dancer.
Clifton are enjoying another stellar racing season with 41% winners to runners, and it could end positively on MWOS Gold Cup day with the likes of Captain Casey and the very exciting Gimmethegreenlight colt for owner Mr D Shawe, Laguna Verde – who will be running in the Gr1 Premiers Champions Stakes for trainer Lucky Houdalakis.
