Bush Hill Double At Clairwood

Bush Hill Double At Clairwood

Bush Hill Stud scored a double at Clairwood on New Years Eve with two half-siblings – Agape Reigns and Honour Melchizedek – both horses also pulling off a double for trainer Garth Puller and both are out of mare Count The Carats – Agape Reigns is a full-sister to the talented Tetelestai (both by Bezrin), while Honour Melchizedek (by King Of Kings) is a half-brother to both Agape Reigns and Tetelestai – all Bush Hill-breds.

Agape Reigns is a R100 000 graduate off the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale. This is the first win for the three year old filly, who has placed four times and only been out of the money once.

Drawn 12th and carrying 60kgs over 1200m under Anton Marcus, she flew home by over two lengths from Lady Captain (by Captain Al), Rose And Crown (by Tiger Ridge) and Treble Tot (by Mogok). Agape Reigns is owned by Messrs D S Braithwaite, N R Loudon, J M J Maher, G W Reich & Moodley’s Racing Team CC (Nom : Mr G Moodley).

Four year old gelding Honour Melchizedek also had his first win over 1450m in the fourth race of the day. He has placed five times previously, owned by Messrs D S Braithwaite, Jeffrey M Govender & A Naicker.

Matching the winning margin by his half-sister earlier in the day, he also took home the race by two lengths from Burwaaz (by Mullins Bay), Trojan Lord (by Overlord) and Lebeoana (by A.P. Arrow) under jockey Lerato Mohapi, from a first draw. The son of King Of Kings is owned by Messrs D S Braithwaite, Jeffrey M Govender & A Naicker.

Count The Carats is by What A Prospect out of a Raise A Raucus mare – she has now produced three winners from four runners. Her 2006 gelding, Tetelestai, has had 10 wins including the Umngeni Handicap (L) twice, and placing 14 times. He placed fourth on 27 December at Fairview in the Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m.

Another winner recently for Bush Hill is the lovely dark bay filly Mystical Mouse, who won on Boxing Day at Clairwood over 1200m – also trained by Garth Puller.

The half-sister by Miesque’s Approval to Gr 2 Emerald Cup winner The Mouseketeer and East Cape Nursery Listed winner Lt Jerry Mouse, Mystical Mouse had placed in three of her four starts before getting her first win by one and a half lengths under Stuart Randolph. Champagne Showers (by Silvano), Family Fortune (by Dynasty) and Agape Reigns (above) placed behind her respectively.

With plenty of paddock value, Mystical Mouse is owned in partnership by Messrs Bruce le Roux, P G Choice, F P Vickers & Mr W N & Mrs K I Render.

Congratulations to Bush Hill Stud, Garth Puller and winning owners!