Love Struck Wins Guineas Trial

Love Struck, owned by Alesh Naidoo and Anthony Govender, won the Guineas Trial Listed on Saturday at Clairwood in soft going, as part of the International Jockeys Challenge. Ridden by Anton Marcus and trained by Paul Lafferty, the son of Kahal defeated Wind Trip (by Trippi) over 1600m followed by Wild One (by Mogok and bred by Scott Bros) King’s Bridge (by King Of Kings and bred by Mr & Mrs Bruce Le Roux) running fourth.

This is Love Struck’s third win for his owners from nine starts and he has placed three times – including the Sentinel Stakes and Premiers Champion Stakes (Gr 1). Out of Particular Passion by Rambo Dancer, (out of My Sweet Love by Prontisimo) this Summerhill-bred is a half-brother to Fakazi, a three-time winner included the Listed Goldfields Sprint.

Alesh Naidoo recently purchased full-sister Isthandosami, also bred by Summerhill, off the Ready-To-Run sale that took place in early November.

Love Struck, recently nominated at the KZN Breeders Awards for Outstanding Two Year Old Colt, has a dam-line that includes six-time winner Thandolwami (by Woodborough), a horse that has placed second in six Group races who is a half-brother to Particular Passion. It also sees the likes of Gr 1 winner Anytime Baby and Gr 3 winner Ravenous.

Kahal was recently voted KZN Breeders Stallion Of The Year, and stands at Bush Hill Stud. Love Struck adds to yet another Black Type for Kahal this season, with Festival Of Fire and Enchanted Kingdom winning three Gr 3’s this season, and the likes of Pisces Star has won her last five runs out.

Well done to Alesh Naidoo and Anthony Govender.