While he hails from a family steeped in horseracing, Chesney van Zyl is one of South Africa’s newest trainers and he will be looking for a major effort from his dual stakes winner Bold Eagle who steps up to a mile and takes on eleven talented opponents in the R750 000 Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at Greyville on Saturday.
Gavin and Chesney Van Zyl
In something of a rare Gr1 family affair, Chesney will be taking on his Dad Gavin and brother Gareth when he bids to lift an early Gr1 trophy – having held his licence for just over three months.
He saddles the smart Bold Silvano colt Bold Eagle, who tried the 1400m at his start. He showed plenty of speed but wilted under his 62kgs to be beaten close on 6 lengths by Cirrilo. Bold Eagle meets the Sean Tarry colt on 4kgs better terms here at his first start in KZN. It won’t be a walk in the park from the draw – but he has nice early speed and looks classy.
Bold Eagle beats Cirillo in the SA Nursery
Tarry’s Cirillo looks a very progressive sort. The son of Pomodoro has won his last two starts in style and was an unlucky loser – while still a maiden- of the SA Nursery. He must be the chief danger to the De Kock duo.
With course experience on his side, Soqrat can atone for his narrow Golden Horseshoe defeat from the 1 draw. The Australian-bred son of Epaulette was shaded by stablemate Barahin there and after winning his first two starts by an excess of 7 lengths, he could resume winning ways.
Barahin and Soqrat fight out the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe 2018
His stable companion Alyaasaat was the first Australian-bred winner in South Africa for Darley Stallions’ sire Dawn Approach, when he shed his maiden by close on five lengths a fortnight ago at Turffontein. He has drawn a bit wide but is rated as a ‘Group horse’ by his champion conditioner.
Listed Somerset 1200 winner Twist Of Fate failed to fire in the Gold Medallion but, together with Bold Eagle, is the only three-time winner in the field- and that must count for something if he stays the mile.
Glen Kotzen’s Crown Guardian ran a nice third to Twist Of Fate in the Listed Somerset 1200 after winning his maiden on debut. He was then not disgraced when having his first start at Greyville after a two month break when having to switch and then staying on for a 4 length fourth to Baharin in the Golden Horseshoe.
Gareth van Zyl’s Ovation Award was beaten 6 lengths in the Gatecrasher Stakes and then ran on steadily in open MR 64 handicap company when beaten 2,50 lengths by the filly High Altar.
Gareth van Zyl – outside hopes
Tobie Spies’ Cyber Special looks held by Soqrat and Bold Eagle and besides being the most experienced runner in the line-up, he is bound to strip fit and well and will show characteristic speed from his 3 gate.
Play Another Tune when straight into the Gatecrasher Stakes post his maiden win and was beaten 4,65 lengths by Barahin. On a line through the latter, he could be held by the likes of Soqrat and Crown Guardian.
Garth Puller’s Just As Well gelding Master Thief gets the services of Piere Strydom. A winner over a mile at Scottsville at his second start, now steps up a few leagues. Puller, one of the best judges of a horse in the country, would not have taken his chances if he didn’t feel he could compete.
Mike Azzie – saddles Whitehaven
Mike Azzie travels from Gauteng with Whitehaven, who won at the third time of asking. He ran just over two lengths off Gr2 Golden Horseshoe winner Barahin on debut and with improvement could feature from the 2 draw.
Recent maiden winner Checkpoint Charlie has his first run on the turf and jumps from the widest of the draw. With no feature exposure, he is difficult to assess.
This looks a fascinating race. Bold Eagle can prove his talent and take the step up – he should enjoy the mile. But the De Kock 2yo’s are strong this term and the maestro’s duo cannot be discounted. Cirillo cannot be discarded and is improving with every run.
