Rags-to-riches gelding Monks Hood soared into the top flight of his generation with a runaway victory in the R1 million Gr2 Gauteng Guineas at Tuffontein on Saturday.
In the process, Alistair Gordon’s son of Querari, who hails from a relatively small breeding operation in the Eastern Cape, made it two wins in four years for KZN raiders in the SA Triple Crown opener.
Monks Hood and Anthony Delpech are well clear in a scintillating win (Pic – JC Photographics)
A galloping billboard of living evidence that horses can improve dramatically in months, Monks Hood put a quiet start to his 3yo season well behind him, fulfilling the confidence shown by his veteran trainer and slamming a field widely described as the strongest renewal in many years.
The capacity Guineas field included the undefeated and much vaunted Majestic Mambo, as well as Tony Ruffel winner Surcharge, and the balance of the best that Gauteng and KZN has to offer in the classic generation.
Anthony Delpech had the Dingaans winner relaxed ahead of midfield as Majestic Mambo’s stablemate Alssakhra ensured an honest gallop ahead of State Trooper and Pietro Mascagni.
In the run for home, Monks Hood could be seen moving up steadily and at the 300m he hit the front full of running to score a facile win by 5,50 lengths in a time of 96,69 secs.
Alistair Gordon (photo: JC Photos)
The classy Surcharge, racing from a wide draw, emerged from the pack to chase for second – setting himself up for a big run in the SA Classic.
Mike de Kock filled third and fourth places, with Royal Crusade and Noble Secret, respectively. Both showed that they could play a role in the second and third legs in April and May.
Big Bear failed to feature, running ten lengths back, while Majestic Mambo was 3,25 lengths behind him. The Paul Peter runner was coltish in the pre-race parade and the connections have some tough decisions to make with the handsome colt!
Anthony Delpech – armchair ride
Champion jockey Anthony Delpech was elated at the big win for his sponsors.
“I didn’t expect him to destroy them like this. Everything went smoothly in the race. I was going a half pace at the 300m – I decided to give them the slip, rather than wait!”
On a question about the second leg, Delpech added that he felt that it would not be the right thing to bring Monks Hood back to Joburg for the SA Classic.
Trainer Alistair Gordon said that the win had confirmed his sentiment that his charge had improved from the Dingaans.
Owner Mary Slack that she couldn’t believe that her horse was cantering at the 300m.
“I didn’t even have to scream,” she laughed.
Bred by Arne and the late Ben Botha, Monks Hood is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the three-time winner Amber Boquet (Camden Park).
A R375 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Monks Hood has won 4 races with 4 places from 8 starts and stakes of R1 136 500. He also banked the BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus of R102 500.
The next leg of the SA Triple Crown is the R2-million Gr1 SA Classic run over 1800m on Saturday 7 April.
The third leg is the R2 million Gr1 SA Derby run over 2450m on Saturday 5 May.
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Gr2 Gauteng Guineas (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 3, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.36.69
1 – MONKS HOOD (SAF), 60.0, b g 3, Querari (GER) – Amber Bouquet by Camden Park (USA). Owner Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack); Breeder BH & AJ Botha; trainer AD Gordon; jockey A Delpech
2 – Surcharge (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Congestion Charge (GB) by Diktat (ANY)
3 – Royal Crusade (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Silvano (GER) – Royal Fantasy (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
Margins: 5.50, 0.25, 0.75
