Former jockey Barend Botes moved from the Vaal to Summerveld three months ago as the KZN programme, with the polytrack and more lower-rated handicaps, was going to suit his string better.
On Saturday he celebrated his 30th year as a trainer with a maiden elite victory courtesy of Quid Pro Quo’s dash to glory in the R1 million Gr1 Allan Robertson Champion.
Smanga Khumalo ranges up on Quid Pro Quo down the outSide, to beat Rodeo Drive (Richard Fourie, centre) and Symphony In White (Aldo Domeyer) in a dramatic finish (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The champagne corks were popping out at Heuningsfontein in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, as Leon Lotz and his family were contemplating the forthcoming breeding season with some excitement for their modestly supported Jet Master stallion Lance, who broke his own Grade 1 benchmark in the 2yo fillies sprint as Smanga Khumalo produced Quid Pro Quo (3-1) late in the race.
With Gimmie’s Countess (2-1) enjoying no luck and hemmed in down the inside rail, Symphony In White (7-1) and Rodeo Drive (10-1) looked set to fight it out, until Bling produced the magic with a sustained dash down the middle.
The luckless Gimmie’s Countess finished 0,65 lengths back in fourth.
A daughter of Lance (Jet Master), Quid Pro Quo is raced and was bred by Gerald Kalil, one of the Botes stable’s first foundation owners, and is out of the five-time winning daughter of The Sheik, Delightful Diva.
She was offered at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale by Summerhill Equestrian and bought back for just R60 000 by her breeder.
Now a winner of 3 races with 2 places from 5 starts, Quid Pro Quo took her earnings to R831 500.
Lance’s service fee is R5000 live foal.
Last season he covered 23 mares with good support from the Karoo breeders.
