The Wright Hatt! Kochka (Glen Hatt) holds on to beat Forest Indigo
It took only one Super Saturday runner to give Summerveld based trainer Alyson Wright a superb first South African Gr1 winner. Glen Hatt rode a pearler on Kochka, who exacted sweet revenge over his Golden Slipper conqueror Forest Indigo, to win the R600 000 Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes.
Super Saturday 2013 will forever be fondly etched in the memory of the 40 year old Alyson Wight, who was formerly assistant to Noeleen Peech, and took out her own licence in 2006.
She has an excellent pedigree and is the daughter of retired Zimbabwean trainer Penny Fisher. She is married to the former multiple Zimbabwean champion jockey Kevin Wright
Wright spent time in Singapore as assistant trainer to former Zimbabwean champion trainer Mike Clements, while hubby Kevin rode there..
She only had the one runner on the day, but produced the gem for her longstanding loyal owner John Jones.
From the worst of the draw, Glen Hatt dropped Kochka in as Gone Baby Gone led Sagetator and Forest Panther.
Into the home run Heart Of A Lion looked a big threat as Willow Magic and Umgiyo also commenced their challenges.
The face of the race changed dramatically inside the final 300m, and it was left to Kochka who stormed down the inside rail as his arch rival Forest Indigo went down the outside. Only a head separated the two at the line.
Kochka, who started at a ridiculously generous 10 to 1, won by 0,75 lengths in a time of 95,23seconds.
Golden Horseshoe winner Forest Indigo ran on well for second, while SA Nursery winner Willow Magic stormed through late for third.
Gavin Van Zyl’s Heart Of A Lion was ridden liberally and confidentally by Weichong Marwing and looked dangerous for a long time.
He finished just 3,15 lengths behind and the son of Seul Amour looks very promising.
The disappointments here included the well fancied R1 million purchase Exelero.
The Vaughan Marshall trained son of Western Winter appeared to run green and finished tenth and 7,65 lengths behind. The 22 to 10 favourite finished just behind Justin Snaith’s Forest Panther, who showed pace from a 1 draw, but faded out late.
Kochka is by Black Minnaloushe out of the six time winning Elliodor mare, Little Strike.
He was bred by Danika Stud and cost R160 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2.
He was registering a second win with 2 places from 4 starts and took his stake earnings to R570 000.
There can’t be much between him and Forest Indigo, and a rematch in the new season is a rather mouthwatering prospect!
Well done to Alyson Wright and the Gee Racing Team.
.
Premier’s Champion S. (SAf-G1) (7/27) Greyville, South Africa, July 27, R600.000, 1600m, turf, good, 1.35.23 1 – KOCHKA (SAF), 58.0, b g 2, Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Little Strike (SAF) by Elliodor (FR). Owner JG Jones; breeder Danika Stud; trainer AJ Wright; jockey G Hatt (R375.000) 2 – Forest Indigo (SAF), 58.0, b c 2, Judpot (USA) – Albizia (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA) 3 – Willow Magic (AUS), 58.0, ch c 2, Dubawi (IRE) – La Willow (AUS) by Tierce (FR) Margins: ¾, 1¼, 1
