Wylie Hall comes home powerfully to beat Henry Higgins and Cagiva (JC Photos)
“We are back!” Trainer Weiho Marwing’s brief but emotionally charged statement after Wylie Hall’s smooth victory in the R400 000 Gr2 Colorado King Stakes could hold ominous overtones for the Legislate team, as the Australian-bred entire looks set to return for another crack at the Vodacom Durban July.
“I had to start him somewhere. Our main target is the President’s Champions Challenge but we are going the same route as last year. Then we will go down to KZN,” said a thrilled Marwing after Wylie Hall had made a winning return to action in his first run this season after a 36 week break.
Starting a weak 3-1 favourite in the nine-horse field, the new improved and revitalised Wylie Hall looks an even better horse these days and he disposed of his eight rivals with an assertive finishing effort that saw him beat the consistent Henry Higgins by 1,50 lengths in a time of 123,89 secs.
The Tarry pair of Cagiva and Tiger’s Retreat were slow away, but it was their stablemate The Hangman who led the tribe as he was tracked by Henry Higgins and Eurakilon , with Cagiva, Tribal Dance and Wylie Hall further back about seven lengths off.
The pace was a fairly modest one but they quickened things up in the home dash as Wylie Hall took it up at the 300m, with Henry Higgins and Cagiva in pursuit.
At the 200m marker Bernard Fayd’herbe had the race in the bag and the entire was geared down to an easy and impressive win.
Henry Higgins stayed on for second ahead of the rested Cagiva who will come on with the run under the belt.
Craig Zackey allowed The Hangman to act as pacemaker and the son of Jallad never gave up, only tiring very late for fourth.
The Vasco Taverna-sponsored Fayd’herbe said he thought that Wylie Hall may just have needed the run.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – Wylie Hall gave him a good feel
“But he gave me a really good feel. I was impressed with him today and he is a horse to follow.I also want to say happy birthday to my agent Justin Vermaak. I’m glad he gave me a feature chance as I told him I don’t want to come to Joburg just to ride maidens. And S’manga (Khumalo) has been cleaning up,” he smiled.
Fayd’herbe is already confirmed as the Champions Season partner for Cape star Futura, so the July riding arrangements will make for interesting debate.
Flashback – Wylie Hall beats Legislate in July
Trainer Weiho Marwing, who obviously wants to forget Vodacom Durban July day 2014 and the drama that went with Wylie Hall’s heartbreaking boardroom demotion, thanked his owner Michael Leaf for his patience.
Leaf also won the first race of the day with Street Flyer, who is trained by Vaughan Marshall and was the first of Anton Marcus’ three winners.
With the Champion’s Challenge just three weeks away, Marwing has a big job on his hands but with a top horse in form, he is halfway there.
Wylie Hall has won 5 races with 9 places from 19 starts and R2 444 625 in stakes.
He is a $205,000 Magic Millions purchase by Andy Williams Worldwide Bloodstock from the draft of Newhaven Park.
He is a son of Redoute’s Choice out of the five time winning Double First mare, Beauty Belle.
He hails from a strong family of winners and will make a decent sire prospect in time to come. He is also a half-brother to Gr I winning sprinter Absolute Champion,
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Gr2 Colorado King Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 4, R400k, 2000m, turf, good, 2.03.89
1 – WYLIE HALL (AUS), 59.0, b h 5, Redoute’s Choice (AUS) – Beauty Belle (AUS) by Ideal Planet (AUS). Owner Mr M E Leaf; Breeder bred in Australia; trainer WH Marwing; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Henry Higgins (SAF), 58.0, b h 6, Caesour (USA) – Karukera (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
3 – Cagiva (SAF), 58.0, b g 5, Silvano (GER) – Blue Paradise (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
Margins: 1.50, 0.50, 1.50
