#kznbred Africa Rising Takes Gr2 Merchants
Summerhill had an incredible evening at the KZN Breeders Awards, scooping 10 awards last night including the Leading Breeder of the year and made all the more sweeter with a Grade 2 winner on the day at Turffontein.
KZN once again showed its mettle – from fewer racing numbers than the rest of the country, KZN produced the Gr2 Merchants winner Africa Rising, as well as St John Gray who almost won the Summer Cup once again, with Dawn Assault finishing second by a hair. Bush Hill Stud have bred a special horse in Ouro, a Toreador filly who finished second in the Gr3 Magnolia to Schippers. KZN also produced other winners on the big day at Turffontein – with Scott Bros’ The Dazzler winning for Mike De Kock and Morning Catch in the 11th race on the card.
There was little to stop the Sean Tarry-Lyle Hewitson express at Turffontein on Saturday and it was the Visionaire gelding who overcame a hesitant start and traffic issues to win the R450 000 Gr2 Merchants at Turffontein on Saturday in a thrilling finish.
Sparingly raced, the 2017 Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Africa Rising produced the peak performance of his career when, ridden with confidence, he burst out of the pack at the 150m mark after running into traffic issues, to catch and beat the dangerous looking Romi’s Boy who ran a courageous race.
The 17-1 Africa Rising registered a time of 67.21 secs for the 1160m when getting the better of 25-1 shot Romi’s Boy by 1,40 lengths with Captain And Master rattling through late for third over a distance short of his best.
The Gr1 placed Africa Rising was bought by Chris van Niekerk’s Rainbow Beach Trading for R625 000 at the CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale.
He has won 7 races with 4 places from 12 starts for stakes of R1 449 500.
Bred by Summerhill Stud, Africa Rising carries the distinction of being the first stakes winner of his sex for Visionaire when winning the Byerley Turk last year. He is out of the once winning Braashee mare, Sucha Looka.
-extract sportingpost.co.za
