Alboran Sea cruises clear under Muzi Yeni to win the Gr1 Allan Robertson
Despite the rather disappointing withdrawal of champion 2yo Majmu, Mike De Kock illustrated the serious depth of strength in his string when his Australian bred Alboran Sea stepped into the breach and cruised in to win the R600 000 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship run over 1200m at Scottsville on Saturday.
On a very competitive afternoon, the SA breds more than held their own with Alboran Sea the only Australian to win.
De Kock had a trio of runners left to carry the flag after SA Fillies Nursery winner Majmu was pulled out of the prestigious race during the week. The champion trainer would have been very happy though to have ended up banking a first and third cheque for his owners, in what was always a high quality field.
Well drawn at 2, Muzi Yeni had Alboran Sea about six lengths off the gallop down the inside as Balkan, Seven Whispers and Cotton Candy led early with Flame Cat showing toe in the firing line.
Balkan looked to be going very well and came forward smoothly at the 400m marker with Rich Girl(another Rock Of Gibraltar) producing a good finish down the outside.
All the while, Alboran Sea had been stuck behind a line of three horses and Muzi Yeni maintained a cool head as the gap eventually opened just over 200m out.
Mike De Kock saddled Alboran Sea
Alboran Sea drew clear at a generous 12 to 1 to beat Rich Girl by 2,25 lengths in a time of 69,45 secs.
De Kock’s Trippi filly One Fine Day ran on well for third, while Glen Kotzen’s Rosier was 6,50 lengths behind the winner in fourth.
It was Yeni’s third Gr1 win. He said Alboran Sea was very smart and was going places.
Mike De Kock said: ” She is a beautiful yearling, easy to like. Jehan Malherbe and I bought her in Australia. She will certainly get a mile. I am just so pleased for Michael Javett. He does so much for the game, that people do not know about.”
The favourite Balkan disappointed and faded right out to finish 11,85 lengths behind. She had Arria two lengths behind her and Justin Snaith will have to go back to the drawing board with this disappointing daughter of Trippi.
Alboran Sea won on debut over 1000m at Clairwood and is unbeaten in two starts. She took her earnings to R423 750.
She is an Aus $105 000 Inglis Premier purchase.
By Rock Of Gibraltar she is out of the US bred daughter of Toolighttoquit, Lady’s Light.
Bred and offered for sale by Rosemont Stud, Alboran Sea is a sibling to stakes-placed Trafalgar Legacy and Light Express, being the fifth winner from five to race from Lady’s Light (USA), who was imported into Australia. She hails from a big American Black Type family.
