No minor Mienie as the veteran drives the good stayer Seal to victory (JC Photos)
The cream always rises to the top and Gavin Van Zyl’s class stayer Seal gave his rivals a galloping lesson to win the R250 000 Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup run over 2850m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The race brought the curtain down on the Classic Day feature billing and the result was never in doubt as Martinus Mienie sent the Silvano gelding on his way at the 400m marker.
Seal had been reported coughing after a moderately indifferent effort in the mud and slush of Guineas Day in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap. But this was more like the soldier we know.
Seal galloped on powerfully to beat Storm Warning by 4,75 lengths in a time of 184,56 secs.
Winning rider Mienie said that Seal had had no luck at his last start.
“The Aquanaut was not a show of his true ability. I had to switch him a few times in the home straight that afternoon. He is getting better and I knew he would just about win this race. I was determined to get this ride from the early noms stage,” he laughed.
Assistant trainer Chesney Van Zyl labelled Seal one of his favourite horses.
“We were expecting a big effort as he is very well at the moment. We were very surprised that Marthinus was the only jockey to phone for the ride. Well done to him as he did everything right,” he said.
Bred by Cape veterinarian Dr Ian Heyns, Seal is by Silvano out of the unraced Rambo Dancer mare Prestine Performer. Seal cost R210 000 on the National Two Year Old Sale.
He has now won 10 races from his 40 starts with 14 places. He took his gross stakes earnings to a healthy R2 210 087.
We may see Seal having another dip at the Gold Cup down in Durban at the end of Champions Season.
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Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 29, R250k, 2850m, turf, good, 3.03.62 1–SEAL (SAF), 60.5, b g 6, Silvano (GER) – Prestine Performer (SAF) by Rambo Dancer (USA). Owner Mr Grant Douglas; breeder IR Heyns; trainer G v Zyl; jockey M Mienie 2–Storm Warning (SAF), 55.5, b g 4, Jet Master (SAF) – Olympic Storm (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA) 3–S’il Vous Plait (SAF), 58.5, b g 6, Silvano (GER) – Shaan Madary by Darshaan (GB) Margins: 4¾, nose, 1¾
