Backworth Stud Continues Winning Form

Backworth Stud continues their outstanding winning form with the likes of Raise The Bar who achieved a Listed win at the Vaal on Tuesday, Money Tree who proved her niche on sand earlier on the same day, and an international win with Mac Mufti’s victory in Mauritius. Keith Russon and Ian Todd’s Backworth Stud are achieving 50% winners to runners, an admirable achievement indeed.

The Paul Matchett-trained 4-year-old filly, Raise The Bar (SAF) (Goldkeeper (USA) – Moving On Up by Jallad(USA)), had stepped onto the Vaal sand track nine times in her career prior to Tuesday for 3 wins and 5 places.

Sitting on the rail at the back of the pack under the experienced Marthinus Mienie, Raise The Bar had it all to do coming into the final straight. With 300m to go, Ugly Betty (ARG) (Mutakddim (USA)) surged to the fore with Raise The Bar and Sapphire Ring (SAF) (Spectrum (IRE)) in hot pursuit. With 150m to go, it was all over as Raise The Bar surged clear to win going away by 2.5 lengths from Ugly Betty and Shattered Image (Damage Is Done). This win takes Raise The Bar’s career record to 6 wins and 9 places from 21 starts, with earnings of R479,125.

Congratulations go to owner Mr John Koumides as well as to trainer Paul Matchett and his team.
A half-brother by Muhtafal to Raise The Bar will be presented at the National Yearling Sales at the end of April by Backworth Stud, Lot 106 named Lucky Break.

Having a satellite yard on the Highveld has its benefits for trainer Gavin van Zyl and sending out Money Tree (Var (USA) – Erythrina by Fort Wood(USA)) for a spin under jockey Wesley Marwing on the Vaal sand track Tuesday afternoon turned out to be a wise call for Team G Racing.
Coming off a disappointing run on the grass, Money Tree showed how a change of track surface can turn the form around as she produced an explosive finish to win by 2.25 lengths from early pace setter Pink Prospect (Silvano (GER)) and Jolly Along (Silvano (GER)).

The Raoul Rivet Cup over 1500m at Champ de Mars Racecourse in Mauritius on Saturday was won by the effervescent Backworth-bred 8-year-old, Mac Mufti (SAF) (Al Mufti (USA) – Miss Unimac (AUS) by Bellotto (USA).

Italian Lakes (BRZ) (Mark of Esteem (IRE)) set the pace up front, while Mac Mufti followed on the rails at the rear of the pack under jockey Sunil Bhundoo. Entering the home straight, Ntandane (SAF) (Parade Leader(USA)) looked the winner under jockey Brandon Morgenwood, but Mac Mufti surged strongly to narrowly edge out the Alain Perdrau Stable’s representative. The Money Is Yours (SAF) (In The Money (IRE)) took third spot ahead of Jack Sparrow (SAF) (Fort Wood (USA)).

Mac Mufti’s career record stands at 6 wins and 25 places from 55 starts with earnings of R829,818. Mac Mufti is a half-sister to Varlet (by Var(USA)), who has been entered into the Grade 3 Jacaranda Handicap to be run on Saturday 31 March, Turffontein’s Classic Day.

Congratulations to trainer Vincent Allet.

Information source courtesy of Backworth Stud. View their blog and website at www.backworth.co.za