The Moon’s A Balloon! Tippuana Moon (MJ Byleveld) gallops on strongly to win the Gr3 Cape Stayers Handicap (Equine Edge)
Trainer Michael Robinson has made a major impact with his small string early in his training career and he reached an important milestone at Kenilworth on Saturday by winning the R200 000 Gr3 Cape Stayers Handicap with the Drakenstein Stud owned and bred, Tippuana Moon.
While Robinson has held his trainer’s licence since 2008, he went on his own this season after previously being employed by Drakenstein Stud. His first two runners were winners and it is probably appropriate that he celebrated this memorable occasion by winning his first feature for the Ruperts.
Jockey MJ Byleveld rode a cracker to dictate the running from the jump.
It will be interesting to see how the handicapper sees the race. Tippuana Moon came in 3,5kgs under sufferance, and his current merit rating of 84 will no doubt be made a meal of.
The field of ten jumped from the 2500m with River Crossing slow away.
Tippuana Moon led Posh Boy with a gap of six lengths back to Cigar Boy and Paddy O’Reilly.
River Crossing was slow away and was poitioned near the rear, with the fancied Abercrombie, who was never going well.
Mike and Luella Robinson
Tippuana Moon kept galloping relentlessly and despite drifting under pressure in the straight stayed on to win by 2,25 lengths in a time of 157,27 secs.
Posh Boy stayed on well for third ahead of the consistent Paddy O’Reilly and Cigar Boy.
Tippuana Moon was bred by Drakenstein Stud, in whose silks he races.
He is by Victory Moon out of the four time winning Fort Wood mare, Tippuana.
Tippuana Moon is a winner of 5 of his 14 starts with 6 places for stake earnings of R299 940.
Robinson may be targeting this lightly raced 5yo gelding at the J&B Reserve Stayers on Met day.
An excerpt from the official Stipes Report:
‘In view of the performances from SEAL (A Delpech) (12.85 lengths) and ABERCROMBIE (G van Niekerk) (8.85 lengths), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine these horses on their return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
Leaving the 400m BAROSSA VALLEY (S Cormack) was brushed outwards by CIGAR BOY (R Fourie), which shifted outwards. Thereafter over the final 200m BAROSSA VALLEY (S Cormack) was carried out gradually by CIGAR BOY (R Fourie), which shifted outwards when receiving pressure from POSH BOY (M Winnaar), which was hanging out and shifted outwards. A Member of the Stipendiary Board called for a race review regarding this incident and after reviewing the patrol films was of the opinion that the result had not been affected and took no further action. Jockey M Winnaar (POSH BOY) appeared before the Board regarding the incident and was advised to take the necessary corrective measures to keep his mounts on a straight course in future. Jockey R Fourie (CIGAR BOY) appeared before the Board and was advised that while the Stewards were of the opinion that he had received pressure from POSH BOY (M Winnaar) he needs to ensure he keeps his mounts on a straight course in future.’
