Home! Wylie (MJ Odendaal) storms clear to win the SA Derby
Trainer Weiho Marwing dominated the R1,5 million Gr1 SA Derby run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday. He saddled the first two home and looks to have a powerful string of youngsters to carry his challenge through the rest of the season.
Owner Michael Leaf has a really smart sort on his hands in the Australian bred son of Redoute’s Choice, Wylie Hall, who was named after the street where he grew up.
While he dug deep to acquire the smart racer, this looks like a happy fairytale story just waiting to be scripted. The colt ran on powerfully at just his sixth start and appears to have unlimited potential.
Balse led most of the way and a few lengths ahead of Tequila Sunrise and Sabadell. In the preliminary stages the Marwing runners were both tucked away and grinning broadly from their respective 1 and 2 draws.
Into the home run Tequila Sunrise came forward to challenge, as Wild One and Gothic unwound their challenges.
But the race was over as a contest late as Wylie Hall burst into the lead with Tellina unwinding his run wide outside. MJ Odendaal registered his second Group win on the as he steered the colt confidently to a win by a half length in a time of 156,01 secs.
His stablemate Gothic ran on very well for second ahead of the KZN visitor Wild One, who ran on strongly down the inside rail.
The favourite Tellina appeared to have to run wide into the straight and took forever to get going. As he jumped from a 15 draw, we are still not quite sure if he stays or not. He looks too good to ignore.
Wylie Hall registered his third win from 6 starts with 3 places for stake earnings of R1 123 750.
A $205,000 Magic Millions purchase by Andy Williams Worldwide Bloodstock from the draft of Newhaven Park, Wylie Hall is a half-brother to Gr I winning sprinter Absolute Champion and is the seventh winner from Ideal Planet mare Beauty Belle, whose family features Group I winners Grand Armee, Drum, Anamato and Dealer Principal.
Wylie Hall will pay to follow.
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SA Derby (SAf-G1) (4/27) Turffontein, South Africa, April 27, R1.5 million, 2450m, turf, good, 2.36.01 . 1 – WYLIE HALL (AUS), 58.0, b c 3, Redoute’s Choice (AUS) – Beauty Belle (AUS) by Ideal Planet (AUS) . Owner ME Leaf ; bred in Australia; trainer WH Marwing; jockey M Odendaal (R937.500) 2 – Gothic (SAF), 58.0, ch g 3, Silvano (GER) – Mysterious Land (SAF) by Badger Land (USA) 3 – Wild One (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Mogok (USA) – Endangered Species (SAF) by Sapieha (IRE) Margins: ½, 1¼, 1½
