Trainer Brett Crawford saddled his second Hong Kong-connected Cape Guineas winner when the Varsfontein-bred Kilindini stormed to an impressive victory in the R1 million Gr1 classic at a sunny Kenilworth on Saturday.
Crawford’s previous Guineas victory came in 2013 when Bernard Fayd’herbe piloted Elusive Gold to victory in the Grand Parade Investments sponsored feature for owner Mr C W Hui.
Sail From Seattle’s maiden Gr1 winner, Elusive Gold was subsequently exported to Hong Kong – a likely path for Kilindini after Saturday’s success.
Corne Orffer steers Kilindini to an eyecatching victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Bred on the Silvano-Jet Master cross that produced earlier winner Hawwaam, the Edmond Siu owned Kilindini tentatively placed another piece into the current classic puzzle when he soared to an almost effortless victory off an enterprising ride by Corne Orffer.
The Crawford Racing rider caught the opposition napping when bouncing Kilindini clear of his field down the inside at the top of the straight.
Unexposed at feature level previously, Kilindini came in off a 99 rating and easily beat a collection of Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 feature winners rated anywhere from 115 down.
Galloping on powerfully and virtually unchallenged, Kilindini (8-1) held his stride all the way to the wire to beat the staying on and supremely consistent Viva Rio (20-1) – who was best of the Concorde Cup top four – by 1,75 lengths in a time of 99,83 secs.
Corne Orffer and Brett Crawford’s victory shake (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Stablemate to the winner, Macthief (8-1) finished without threatening to secure third a further 1,75 lengths back.
Snaith’s Wild Coast (15-1), whose rider picked up a crop infringement sanction, was 0,30 lengths back in fourth, with Eden Roc (6-1) finishing best of the Gauteng raiders to run a 3,90 length fifth.
The free-striding pacesetter Viking Moon (75-1) finished sixth, with the favourite and Cape Classic winner Silver Operator (7-1) next after a slow start.
Concorde Cup shock winner King Of Gems, a stablemate to the winner, was a short behind him and never showed.
CTS Ready To Run Stakes end-to-end victor Pure State also had no say in the proceedings and finished just under a length behind King Of Gems.
Dean Kannemeyer’s African Warrior was almost ten lengths back after appearing to have every chance. It could well be that he just doesn’t stay.
Crawford thanked Hong Kong-based Tony Millard for his assistance.
A R2,8 million 2018 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale graduate, Kilindini is out of the stakes placed Jet Master three-time winner Kiss And Fly.
He has won 3 races with 3 places from his 6 starts for stakes of R761 525. The winner also banked the R150 000 BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus.
The Kenilworth carryover Pick 6 Megapool fell slightly short of the projected R5 million mark, reaching R4 786 716.
Excerpt from Stipes report:
- a) SILVER OPERATOR stumbled shortly after the start was effected.
- b) KING OF GEMS jumped slow, losing one length.
- a) Jockey G Lerena (EDEN ROC) appeared before the Board and was reminded that the Stewards expect him to make every effort to parade his mounts in front of the stand in future.
- b) Jockey B Fayd’Herbe was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he struck WILD COAST more than 12 times in the entire race. Jockey Fayd’Herbe signed an admission of guilt and was fined R 1500,00.
- c) CANE LIME “N SODA (M Byleveld) had to switch in on several occasions when baulked for a clear run between the 400m and 150m.
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Gr1 Cape Guineas (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 21, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.39.83
1 – KILINDINI (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Silvano (GER) – Kiss And Fly (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF). Owner Mr Edmond Siu; Breeder Varsfontein Stud; trainer BJ Crawford; jockey C Orffer
2 – Viva Rio (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Oratorio (IRE) – Little Jet (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
3 – Macthief (SAF), 60.0, ch c 3, Time Thief (AUS) – Yellow Card (SAF) by Trippi (USA)
Margins: 1.75, 1.75, 0.30
