KZN Jockey Trainer Series – Antony Hotspur Hits Top Of Log

The next log of the KZN Jockey and Trainers Challenge, being run in partnership by the KZN Breeders Club and Gold Circle, sees Antony Hotspur take the lead, whilst Lyle Hewitson continues his leadership for the second week running.

The talented Antony Hotspur also gave KZN Breeder Bruce Campbell a double victory on the day, the other with Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Liverpool Lass for owner Mario Ferreira. Des Gonsalves, the racing manager for Mario Ferreira recounted how he purchased the filly based on her name, as it is Mario’s favourite soccer team.

Jockey Callan Murray, ranked 10th in the competition log below, described three-year-old
gelding Antony Hotspur as “a progressive horse, one you can follow!” after the smooth-striding bay posted
a follow-up to his Maiden win, beating his outside draw with no fuss and then racing clear stylishly in a
competitive MR82 Handicap over 1400m on the Polytrack at Greyville on Sunday.

Murray said: “Antony Hotspur had it all to do from the draw, but he did it like a mature horse. He was happy to relax in front and then he quickened well to win.”

Trainer Alistair Gordon thanked his owning partner, Barney Hattingh, a medical doctor from Rustenburg, for his patience.

Gordon commented: “Antony Hotspur ran a good second over 1200m on his debut last June, but he fractured a bone in his hock and he required surgery. He was out for the best part of nine months.
“He won a good barrier trial coming back, then won his Maiden over 1200m in good style. To have beaten a field of this quality from his deep draw today says a lot!”

Antony Hotspur is by Antonius Pius from a Parade Leader mare. He was a R50,000 ‘cheapie’ at the KZN Yearling Sale in 2016.

“He is nice and sound after his injury problems and that is very pleasing,” Gordon told Charl Pretorius of Turf Talk this morning.

The KZN Trainer and Jockeys Challenge will culminate on the KZN Breeders Race Day, taking place 30 June at Greyville on a day exclusively dedicated to horses registered with the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme and over R2,6-million to be won in stakes.

The leading trainer at the end of the period will receive a R30 000 voucher to be used towards the purchase of any KZN-bred yearling at the 2018 KZN Yearling Sale, with the runner-up receiving a R15 000 voucher and the third placed trainer a R5 000 voucher.

Jockeys will compete for a cash prize pool of R50 000, split amongst the top three riders in the same ratio as the trainers.

The latest log below: