Anton Marcus and Yorker are on their own at the finish of the Gr1 President’s Champions Challenge (JC Photos)
The rejuvenated and handsome Jet Master colt Yorker notched up an impressive Gr1 double by winning Saturday’s R2 million Gr1 President’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein and signalled his Vodacom Durban July intentions in the process. He is a reformed character since gelding and must be an early candidate for SA Horse Of The Year.
Unlike his recent narrow victory over Capetown Noir in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut 1600, there were unfortunately no visitors amongst the nine horses that took Yorker on in Saturday’s race.
That often takes the gloss off a big win but the connections will be thrilled that Yorker is doing everything right and looks set for some serious campaigning down in KZN later in the season.
His new SA national log leading trainer Geoff Woodruff was of the opinion that Yorker’s 2013 Champions Season campaign came a touch early and he should most definitely be a different prospect this year.
Jumping an 18 to 10 favourite and popular exotic bet banker on Saturday, Yorker glided into the lead at the 400m marker and despite the late charge from his gallant (and much smaller) stablemate Tellina, Anton Marcus had plenty in reserve and went on physically ridden out to win by 3,25 lengths in a time of 124.38.
Tellina ran his usual game race in second, with 2012 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro showing some heartening improvement to run into third.
Yorker has won 6 races with 2 places from 13 starts. He took his stake earnings to R3 718 675.
This was his third Gr1 victory and he won’t be stopping here.
A big lad and weighing out at about 17 hands, Yorker was bought for R1,8 million on the Cape Premier Yearling Book 1.
By Jet Master, he was bred by Varsfontein’s Carl and Amanda De Vos, and is out of the four time winning Al Mufti mare Little Indian.
The De Vos family celebrated a lovely day as they also bred the winner of the previous race , when Ash Cloud won the Gr1 SA Oaks.
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Gr1 President’s Champion Challenge (SAf-Gr1) Turffontein, South Africa, April 26, R2 million, 2000m, turf, good, 2.04.38 1-YORKER (SAF), 60.0, b g 4, Jet Master (SAF) – Little Indian (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA). Owner Messrs B Kantor, M J Jooste & F E J Lewis & Mrs I Jooste; breeder CF & Mrs de Vos; trainer GV Woodruff; jockey A Marcus 2-Tellina (SAF), 58.5, b c 4, Silvano (GER) – Tachina (IRE) by Spectrum (IRE) 3-Pomodoro (SAF), 57.5, b h 5, Jet Master (SAF) – Golden Apple (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA) Margins: 3¼, ¾, ¾
