KZN Cracking Start For 2019!
KZN got off on the right foot in 2019 with six winners from nine races carded at Greyville on 1 January.
Louis Goosen came back with a bang, getting a triple on the day – two of the horses were #kznbred.
The Grey Crusader was first up under jockey Jason Gates – who was one of a double for the young apprentice on the day. The son of Crusade in the care of Louis Goosen has gone from strength to strength and been incredibly unlucky in his career – the half-brother to 9-time winner Black Pepper has recorded 10 places previously – six of those in 2nd!!! This time he really impressed, going to the front and winning by over 7 lengths from Noble Tune gelding The Jazz Singer.
The 4yo grey gelding took his earnings to R 211,875 for owner Bobbie Rajhununan.
The next was the beautiful chestnut What A Scorcher, an apt name after a 33 degree day at Greyville. The 6yo St Petersburg gelding collected his 4th career win for trainer Jeff Freedman for owner Mrs A M van der Bank, bred by Hemel ‘n Arde Stud in the Cape. He has also placed 7 times to earn R 255,950.
Sand Path came flying on the outside rail reminiscent of his prior win on the turf for trainer Dennis Bosch. The handsome Eightfold Path chestnut gave Scott Bros a double on the day (first with The Grey Crusader) and produced his second win for owners Messrs Praveen Mohanlall & G R Almanza. Eightfold Path is getting on well, with 32% winners to runners in his 3yo season. He stands at Spring Valley Stud.
Garth Puller’s Toreador gelding has been consistent, the Spring Valley-bred out of a Krusenstern mare collected his 2nd win under Anton Marcus and has placed 6 times from 13 starts, and since September has won or placed in his last five starts. Toreador is a stallion that stood at Bush Hill Stud and he will be missed – his son Matador Man recently won the Christmas Handicap Listed at Greyville on Boxing Day.
Five year old Missibaba also gave Summerhill a double on the day. The full sister to Gr3 winner Royal Pleasure, won again for her owners Mr S Pillay & Mrs U S Pillay and trainer Dennis Bosch. She has tucked away R 314,575 in stakes earned and placed 15 times from 33 starts. For the past year she has been the picture of consistency, only placing out of the money on one occasion from her last 12 starts.
The handsome Bravo Zulu by Brave Tin Soldier completed the double for breeders Summerhill, to win the last race and give Louis the triple on the day after a dry spell, battling a virus in the yard. Owned by Messrs J Carlse & Louis Goosen, Bravo Zulu won over the 1000m trip under Marco Van Rensburg. The 4yo gelding is out of a Muhtafal mare, from the damline of Variety Club, Secret Rites and Son Of A Champ. His dam Londoloza is a half-sister to Fanyana, a 9-time winner who also placed 3rd in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
Brave Tin Soldier has relocated to The Fort Stud and Jill Fox has reported that all of his mares received for the season have been confirmed in foal.
Our stallions in KZN stats for the new season up until 30 December 2018:
The Apache 5 wins (11 runners) (36.4% winners to runners)
Crusade – 21 wins (25% winners to runners)
Mambo In Seattle – 35 wins (31.5% winners to runners)
Eightfold Path – 13 wins (31.8% winners to runners)
Noble Tune – 9 wins (25.8% winners to runners)
Curved Ball – 12 wins (33.3% winners to runners)
Just As Well – 9 wins (25% winners to runners, 1 Black Type winner for the season)
