Avontuur stallion Oratorio has been a model of consistency with a host of diverse winners recently.
His son Divine Odyssey stepped up from his Listed success three weeks ago and spreadeagled his field to score an eyecatching win in the R400 000 Gr2 Colorado King Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
An elated Calvin Habib salutes as Divine Odyssey streaks clear (Pic- JC Photos)
The sire of nearly 100 black type performers globally, Oratorio has certainly boosted the prospects of his 18 lots on offer at the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale later this month with a host of versatile performances. Three weeks back Saturday’s 2000m winner Divine Odyssey was part of a cracking Oratorio feature double at the same venue when his grey son Mardi Gras won the 1160m Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes.
The Oratorio progeny show precocity, classic ability – and they seem to even get better with age. And Johan Janse van Vuuren’s 4yo seems to be maturing like a great red wine from the good gelding’s top-class Dad’s home turf.
Divine Odyssey was a third winner in this race for trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren, who achieved a similar feat with Brazuca in 2016 – another winner out at the weights.
It was all so easy for the easy-to-back Divine Odyssey.
Jockey Calvin Habib has formed a happy partnership with the smart 4yo and he had him tucked away in fifth as Dawn Assault led Fort Ember and Liege.
Calvin Habib – armchair ride
Young Habib said that he felt his mount moving up a bit early at the 500m.
“I thought wait a bit longer – but when he accelerated he went away from them.”
In a formality, Divine Odyssey streaked ahead at the 400m and stayed on strongly to beat The Dazzler by 3,10 lengths in a time of 126,74 secs.
Dawn Assault was beaten a further 1,75 lengths back into third.
Bred by Lawrence Wernars, Divine Odyssey is a son of Oratorio (Danehill) out of the four-time winning Dynasty mare, Divine Right. He went through the Cape Premier Yearling Sale ring where the hammer fell at R500 000.
Divine Odyssey has won 5 races with 5 places from 15 starts for stakes of R636 825.
Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren said that he doesn’t usually run horses out at the weights – “I didn’t think he could win it today,” he conceded.
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Gr2 Colorado King Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 6, R400k, 2000m, turf, soft, 2.06.74
1 – DIVINE ODYSSEY (SAF), 58.0, b g 4, Oratorio (IRE) – Divine Right (SAF) by Dynasty (SAF). Owner Messrs J F & L M F Wernars, B R Binnie, C Gordon, Estate Late Mr M C Gerber & Janse van Vuuren Racing (Pty) Ltd; Breeder LMF Wernars; trainer JAJ v Vuuren; jockey C Habib
2 – The Dazzler (SAF), 58.0, b g 4, Mogok (USA) – Glamourous Guest (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA)
3 – Dawn Assault (SAF), 58.0, b h 5, Call To Combat (SAF) – Cayman Ridge (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
Margins: 3.10, 1.50, 0.25
