KZN Stars Make Winning Return Ahead Of Season
Sean Tarry and Lyle Hewitson owned the Saturday afternoon at Turffontein as the duo produced four good winners, including a smashing seasonal debut by Gr1 Allan Robertson winner Under Your Spell.
South Africa’s highest rated 3yo filly, and considered by some to have been a preferable choice as Equus Champion 2yo Filly over her stablemate Rain In Holland, Under Your Spell adjusted professionally to her first run beyond the sprints and her maiden try around the turn.
Under Your Spell (Lyle Hewitson) wins with her ears pricked (Pic – JC Photos)
The 3yo burst away from her field in the 1400m Pinnacle Stakes to beat the seasoned hardknocker Rouge Allure by 3,50 lengths in a time of 86,98 secs.
The daughter of Capetown Noir, who was running fresh off a three month break since an emphatic victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, has now won 5 of her 6 starts. She was only ever beaten in the SA Fillies Nursery. The Summerhill Stud-bred galloper has earned a shade under R500 000.
While she boasts a top-class cruising speed, she has the blood to go 2000m plus and on Saturday’s showing is a very exciting prospect for the coming season.
Capetown Noir’s Gimmethegreenlight half-sister Dancetildaylight won at Durbanville today for the 2nd time from just three starts, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson.
MK’s Pride (Willow Magic) also made an exciting seasonal debut back. The 4yo colt Merit Rated at 120, was last seen placing just under half a length in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint to Pearl Of Asia, and made a smart winning return over 1450m – his 6th career win to date and having only missed a cheque on one occasion from 13 starts.
He won comfortably by half a length under Warren Kennedy over 1450m in the Champion Owner Chris Van Niekerk Pinnacle Plate, carrying 60kgs. Amongst the horses he beat were Tierra del Fuego and Expressfromtheus. Trained by Paul Peter and owned by Mr Koos Nkale, he gave a lot of confidence for the coming season ahead.
His sire Willow Magic produced the 3rd highest AEPR for last season (R86 856), with the likes of Var, Elusive Fort, Captain Of All and leading sire Gimmethegreenlight following behind Willow Magic on the log.
Willow Magic stands at Bush Hill Stud for the season at a reasonable R12 000 Live Foal.
