Telling All! Robbie Fradd drives Tellina up on the outside to win the Gauteng Guineas
Geoff Woodruff’s smart Silvano colt Tellina took his first step to Triple Crown glory with a sweeping late run to win the R1 million Gr2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday. In a big race for the Woodruff yard, they also sent out the third placed Killua Castle.
This was the big one of the day and it lived up to its status when producing a grandstand finish with a length separating the first five horses past the line. In an exciting final dive for home, veteran jockey Robbie Fradd shrewdly opted for a safe passage down the outside to win a cracker.
With the Tyrone Zackey trained Francois Bernardus going off a weak 6 to 1 favourite, punters were under the whip early as the son of Goldkeeper was always under pressure from a wide draw and did not threaten.
In drama prior to the start, MJ Odendaal replaced the injured Marthinus Mienie, who received a knock to the face from his mount, Killua Castle.
Visiting jockey Glen Hatt took the Paul Peter gelding Donnie Brasco up to show the way, and the pair led Rock Of Arts and Swift And Strong early.
Alexandra Palace and War Horse were well back at that stage.
Into the home straight Donnie Brasco continued to lead Rock Of Arts ,with the longshot No Worries looking dangerous.
War Horse and Tellina were also starting their charge as MJ Odendaal switched Killua Castle for his run down the inside as his stablemate Sabadell took a bad check.
With five horses in with a winning chance, the desperately close struggle went down to the wire.
In a scrappy finish, with Sabadell appearing to have no luck, Robbie Fradd drove Tellina from way off the pace down the trouble free outside of the field to win by a half length in a time of 96,08 secs.
The improved again War Horse stayed on very well for second from his wide draw, while another Woodruff runner Killua Castle was a further 0,55 length away in third.
Gavin Van Zyl’s No Reply ran fourth, just ahead of Gitiano, who paid a tote place dividend in terms of Saftote’s revised place structure for the features on the day.
As is the case with these 3yo classics, the dented reputations list is a comprehensive one and includes:
The Graham Beck Stakes winner Francois Bernardus (3.00 lengths), who never got going and may have been derailed by the second run after a rest syndrome.
The Breeders Cup Politician Stakes winner Love Struck (3,50 lengths), who appeared to have every chance under Anton Marcus, but lacked a finish.
The Sea Cottage Stakes winner Alexandra Palace (6, 50 lengths), who looked a million dollars but may need further to show his best.
Thrilled. Jockey Robbie Fradd was confident
The Ready To Run Cup winner Rock Of Arts (11,00 lengths) faded right out after running prominently.
The Tony Ruffel Stakes winner Fantastic Mr Fox (30,00 lengths) who has had a tough campaign recently and this may have got to him here as he ran stone last.
Winning jockey Robbie Fradd was over the moon: “ I was very bullish about this race. He is a lovely progressive sort with a great turn of foot. He lacks a bit of experience and his work wasn’t great. But I knew we would be right there. We just have to sort out his temperament and he will go places,” he suggested.
Terrance Millard’s grandson Tim Woodruff, accepted the winning trainer’s trophy in the absence of his Dad Geoff, who is away at sales in Australia.
Tellina was bred by Maine Chance Farms and is by Silvano (one of his two features on the day) out of the unraced Spectrum mare, Tachina.
He cost R210 000 at the National Yearling Sale and took his earnings to R744 523 with 3 wins and 3 places from his 6 starts.
Result:
Gauteng Guineas (SAf-G2) (3/2)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 2, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.36.08
TELLINA (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Silvano (GER) – Tachina (IRE) by Spectrum (IRE).
Owner T Young & GV Woodruff; breeder Maine Chance; trainer GV Woodruff;
jockey R Fradd (R625.000)
War Horse (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Victory Moon (SAF) – Star Deputy (NZ) by
Deputy Governor (USA)
Killua Castle (AUS), 58.0, b c 3, Churchill Downs (SAF) – Prayers ‘n
Promises (AUS) by Encosta de Lago (AUS)
Margins: ½, nose, ½
