#kznbred Dawn Assault has snatched the Gr3 London News Stakes from favoured Al Danza and Pietro Mascagni (a R2,3-million yearling). Second to Tilbury Fort in the Gr1 Summer Cup, Dawn Assault is yet another feather in the cap for owner / breeder / trainer St John Gray.

St John has had a fantastic season and has another special horse on his hands with the talented #kznbred Ronnie’s Candy, a Gr2 and Gr3 winner.

Graystone Stud boast phenomenal stats – with a 37% winners to runners percentage, 12 wins for the season and 86 places, with a very impressive average earnings per runner figure of over R70 000.

Ridden by Karl Zechner in a brilliantly judged ride, this is the second time in recent history this race has gone to a #kznbred – prior 2017 winner Romany Prince (bred by Rather), who nearly came down in the race with Luke Ferraris aboard, got back on his feet and steadied himself but finished unplaced.

Dawn Assault, by St John Gray’s stallion Call To Combat out of Cayman Ridge by Al Mufti, is now a 7-time winner and has won R1,115,425 in stakes. A previous winner of the Drum Star Handicap, Dawn Assault as a 5yo entire is getting better with age.

Born and raised by Cathy and Jonathan Martin of Hadlow Stud who manage St John Gray’s breeding operation within their own, they also stand the brilliant 5-time Gr1 winner Dancewiththedevil, again bred, owned and trained by St John Gray.

In other recent KZN related news, Gr1 winner Lady In Black trained by Dennis Drier finished powerfully with a courageous run behind the brilliant Oh Susanna (AUS) in yesterday’s Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes. Rathmor Stud stand her dam Mystery Dame, who has a Noble Tune colt on offer at the upcoming Nationals in April.

Bush Hill Stud’s Irish Flame got Black Type win his daughter Just My Style placed third in the Lady’s Bracelet (Listed) at Fairview for trainer Sharon Kotzen. Out of a Jet Master mare, Just My Style has won 3 times and placed 7.

Bush Hill also had a very impressive debut winner yesterday with Gareth Van Zyl’s imposing King’s Chapel filly Daidala. A race that could have gone the way of any of the horses in the first three, she flew up on the railing in facile fashion to snatch victory by a quarter of a length from Frosty Princess.

Well done to all concerned.