Rising 9 years of age, the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Tevez charged to his ninth career victory at his 47th start at Kenilworth on Saturday, with some after-the-race merchants shouting that the 9-1 shot had them on paper.
Tevez – a file pic in the Mayfair silks
Appearing to relish the kind ground after a week of rain, the Avontuur bred son of Caesour – one of the few of his terrific sire’s progeny still racing – turned the tables on his 3yo stablemate Dutch Philip and the Vaughan Marshall trained Olympian to storm to a 1,25 length victory under Bernard Fayd’herbe in a time of 60,30 secs.
Formerly raced under the Mayfair Speculators flag in a partnership, Tevez now sports the famous Marsh Shirtliff Pocket Power finery in the interests of the big Cape owner and his partner, Bryn Ressell. He has banked close on R1,6 million.
Brett Crawford’s Nasty Harry stayed on well over a trip short of his best to grab second, with 11-10 favourite Dutch Philip a head back in third.
Dutch Philip – top class son of What A Winter heads for Gr1 Mercury Sprint
A former champion 2yo, Dutch Philip will now join the Bass-Robinson Summerveld string for a crack at the R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint, which is run at weight-for-age over 1200m at Greyville on Super Saturday, 28 July.
A dual winner of the Gr2 Cape Merchants, Tevez – a R700 000 National Yearling Sale buy – is a half-brother to star 2yo Cue The Music, who was narrowly beaten by Van Halen in the recent Gr1 Gold Medallion. Godolphin Barb winner Cue The Music was purchased at the same sale as Tevez for R1,6 million.
Their Dam Minelli, a champion producer, boasts an honour roll that includes star filly Val De Ra, Vincente and Mastery.
Tevez’ late sire Caesour, a Varsfontein stalwart son of Nureyev, made history when his daughters Perfect Promise and Dane Julia became the first South African bred horses to win G1 races in Australia.
