In a drama filled race, Mike de Kock registered a quick feature double on a grand day at the office when the handsome New Zealand-bred Frosted Gold, having his first start as a gelding, overcame a troubled passage to win the R200 000 Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes.
On My Mind stumbled as the gates opened, unseating jockey Nooresh Juglall, and the riderless Tarry juggernaut caused a bit of chaos in the process. Juglall was okay, suffering a few aches and pains.
Then Callan Murray miraculously managed to stay aboard the winner’s stablemate Tallinn, when the unbeaten Silvano filly’s stirrup leather appeared to break at around the 700m.
Before the race a wide awake Muzi Yeni found Steak And Ale’s lost shoe en route to the start.
Craig Zackey and Frosted Gold storm to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
So plenty happened in a race that, bar the favourite, unfolded mostly according to plan, with the 7-1 Frosted Gold showing his class after a 14 week break, and underscoring his trainer’s opinion that he was an unlucky loser of the Gr1 Gold Medallion back in May.
Jockey Craig Zackey is riding with renewed vigour since returning from sick leave, and he rode a brave race on a galloper he described as a ‘very good horse’.
“The loose horse was out for me,” he laughed saying that the riderless On My Mind ‘almost put me over the rail’.
Frosted Gold unleashed his effort off the inside rail at the 300m and ran on powerfully to hold the filly Magic School (22-1) by a length in a time of 86,34 secs.
Riverstown (8-1) ran third, with topweight Eden Roc running a slightly improved race to run fourth. His stablemate and favourite Putontheredlight finished a distance back.
Mike de Kock paid tribute to the patience of owner Dave Maclean, who is running the New York Marathon on Sunday.
“He is a horse that has had his issues. Frosted Gold has had the Vets and Physio’s – Dave Maclean has been a soldier and it is a deserved success,’’ he added, quipping that Anton Marcus had missed out on two feature winners on the day.
The winner was purchased by Form Bloodstock off the Blandford Lodge draft at the 2018 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for A$180 000.
He is by Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard, the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Australia in 2012/13 and a half-brother to Australia’s famous galloper Black Caviar.
Frosted Gold is out of the Verglas mare Mary Dór – a winner in France and a full sister to Gr1 performer, Stormy River.
He has won 4 races with 2 places from his 6 starts for stakes of R908 500.
The Dingaans could be next up for Frosted Gold.
_________
Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 2, R200k, 1400m, turf, soft, 1.26.34
1 – FROSTED GOLD (NZ), 59.0, gr g 3, All Too Hard (AUS) – Mary D’or (FR) by Verglas (IRE). Owner Mr D D MacLean; Breeder bred in New Zealand; trainer MF de Kock; jockey C Zackey
2 – Magic School (SAF), 52.5, ch f 3, Philanthropist (USA) – Magic Approach (SAF) by Right Approach (GB)
3 – Riverstown (SAF), 55.0, b c 3, Byword (GB) – Carraig Aonair (IRE) by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
Margins: 1.00, 0.05, 1.45
