Anthony Delpech gets Virgo’s Babe to rally as Darkness looms
Gauteng trainer David Niewenhuizen took the accomodation gap given him by Gold Circle and went home with the lion’s share of the spoils in the R120 000 Ethekwwini Sprint. The only feature to be run on the newly installed polytrack on Durban July day produced a rousing finish with Dennis Drier’s smart Toreador gelding Darkness just failing to reel in the 3yo filly.
Niewenhuizen brought only two fillies down for the July meeting and Virgo’s Babe came up trumps in the the non black-type 1200m contest. His 2yo Green Crest flopped in the KZN Yearling Sale Million.
The visiting pair were stabled on course and the win here also provided some compensation for Wylie Hall’s owner Michael Leaf, who was extraordinarily sporting by showing none of the signs of a sour loser in the post-race interview. He is a bigger man than many of us!
The 2013 Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner, Virgo’s Babe showed a liking for the Greyville polytrack as she powered to the front at the 300m and held off the attentions of the well-performed Darkness by a short head in a time of 67,61 secs.
Diamond King stayed on well enough to run third and a further 1,25 lengths away.
Anthomy Delpech, who had a rather frustratingly indifferent day by his own high standards, rode the winner, who scored a cracking victory as a 3yo filly against some older males.
Virgo’s Babe is by Malhub out of the unraced Special Preview mare, Linzertorte.
We hear that Malhub has four weanlings this year and 11 mares are in foal. His has 20 mares booked for the new season at this stage and the numbers are growing.
She was bred by Midlands Thoroughbreds and went through the ring unsold on the 2012 KZN Suncoast Yearling Sale.
She has now won 5 races with 7 places from 17 starts for R649 075 in stakes.
