Big owners are the cornerstone of any yard, but often come with major pressure. Trainer Mike Azzie has formed a winning combination with Adriaan and Rika Van Vuuren and he would have been thrilled to saddle their 99th winner together when the beautiful grey Kissimmee ran on powerfully to win the R125 000 Allez France Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
Kissimmee comes home strongly under JP van der Merwe (Pic-JC Photos)
This was a low-key non black-type feature but the victory with varied tactics being applied showed that Kissimee is overdue for a stakes win, and that must surely be just around the corner.
It is unbelievable to note that Kissimmee has been winless for close on 16 months, but her recent form has shown a marked upward curve – and given a chance by Met jockey JP van der Merwe in the right conditions on Saturday, proved the right medicine.
With Enchanted Silk a late scratching, the field was reduced to just nine runners and topweighted Vino Veritas went off a 17-20 fanvourite, with former KZN runner Patchit Up Baby at 5-2, with Kissimmee easy to back at 6’s.
Craig Zackey took Celtic Heroine out to lead Paris Princess and Luala, with Patchit Up Baby going well a few lengths off the pace under replacement rider Gavin Lerena.
Vino Veritas and Kissimmee were bringing up the rear early on.
Craig Zackey peeped between his legs at the 600m marker as Celtic Heroine galloped strongly with Patchit Up Baby and Vino Veritas moving up dangerously.
At the 300m Patchit Up Baby loomed and looked a winner, but the flying Azzie grey was in full flight and she came forward strongly.
Mike Azzie – decent filly
Kissimmee hit the front with a flourish at the 250m marker and drew off to win going away by two lengths in a time of 138,91 secs.
Patchit Up Baby had looked very dangerous late but had no answers for Kissimmee and had to be content with second.
Zrinski stayed on late to knock Vino Veritas many PA punters out of the Place Accumulator.
High-riding jockey JP van der Merwe said that Kissimmee was no longer so keen – “I was last and she saw switched off beautifully with the pace on. She ran on well,” he said.
Adam Azzie, deputising for his Dad, thanked the Van Vuurens for their support.
The Varsfontein Stud-bred Kissimmee is a 4yo grey daughter of Jet Master out of the Elliodor mare , Whatsinakiss.
A R750 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Kissimmee has now won 3 times with 9 places from 21 starts, and too her stakes earnings to R298 125.
