KZN Group Two Successes At Turffontein Yesterday

KZN once again had a superb day at Turffontein yesterday with three KZN-bred fillies taking home three Grade 2 races on the day – with two of the fillies being by Kahal.

In an extremely proud moment for Manny and Mandy Testa of Midlands Thoroughbreds, their talented filly Virgo’s Babe soared to victory in the SA Fillies Nursery Gr 2 by an incredible five lengths.

By Malhub out of Linzetorte by Special Preview, the chestnut filly was part of Midlands Thoroughbreds very first sales draft, sent to the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale where she passed through the ring as unsold – nevertheless she qualifies for both KZN’s Race Day on 30 June, as well as the KZN Breeders Juvenile race to be held on Vodacom Durban July day for a stake of R1-million.

Owned by Mr D R and Mrs M Foster and Mr T Pandaram, she is trained by Mr DJ Nieuwenhuizen and ridden by MJ Odendaal, giving Tiger Quest(AUS) a five length beating at even weights, with Icy Winter Air and Usisi(AUS) running in the respective places.

The Matekor Camellia Stakes Grade 2 saw a brilliant finish between two KZN-bred full-sisters and saw the first four horses past the post all bred in KZN – incredibly the first two past the post were both bred by Mike Benson of the Kjell Foundation, ran at even weights of 59kgs and both trained by Mr Ferreira as well as both sisters being owned by Mrs L C A Bouwer. Eastern Greeting got the win over a photofinish from her sister, Kalaam. Both are by Kahal out of Salaam by Northern Guest. The two that followed is the incredibly talented daughter of Mogok, Alcanina – who has won all three of her first starts prior to this race including the Gr 3 Man ‘O War Stakes, and She’s A Stunner by Toreador finishing fourth, trained by Sean Tarry.

The last filly to fly the flag was Checcetti, winning the Bisquet Cognac Gerald Rosenberg Stakes Gr 2 over 2000m at even weights of 60kgs. Trained by Mike De Kock, the Kahal filly won by over a length with another daughter of Kahal, Enchanted Kingdom finishing fourth. Cherry On The Cake and Pacific Dynasty finished second and third respectively. Checcetti is out of Dancer’s Choice by Royal Prerogative, bred by Summerhill Stud who have retained a partnership in the mare with Messrs Tony Moodley, Mike de Kock and Mrs Vanessa Harrison.

In the Gr 1 President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, Knock On Wood continued his impressive form to finish second a length off the winner Heavy Metal, with Shogunnar finishing third and Whiteline Fever fourth. Shogunnar’s half-sister by Kahal was sold for R750 000 on the first day of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, bred and consigned by Summerhill Stud.

Seal, bred and raised at Bush Hill Stud continues his success and ran a good second to Canterbury Tale in the Gold Bowl Gr 2, carrying almost 10kgs more weight than the winner! He is trained by Gavin Van Zyl and was ridden by Pierre Strydom. Jimmi Choo, Bezrin’s talented chestnut son bred by Hadlow Stud ran fourth in the Gr 1 SA Nursery – having brought home a cheque in each one of his starts – he was a R50 000 purchase from the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale.

Congratulations to all the breeders and connections of these talented horses!