Shock! Grant Van Niekerk keeps Francois Bernardus at his task to beat The Hangman
Many punters were left reeling and subjecting their racecards to a reality check after Tyrone Zackey produced the 33-1 shot Francois Bernardus to win the R200 000 Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes run over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Francois who? That was the question on many observer’s lips in the immediate aftermath of a shock result that sent countless Pick 6 and second Jackpot tickets into the bins. But all the smiles were in the winner’s enclosure where the charming Tyrone Zackey and an elated Lottering family celebrated what appeared to be, for them at least, a largely expected and very emotional victory.
It emerged that the gelding was named in honour of the owner’s father, who had passed away a year ago last Sunday. The chestnut is obviously much loved by his connections and the general feedback was that he was not winning out of turn.
Zackey had confirmed that he had told everybody that would listen that his charge would win.
Francois Bernardus was having his first run for the Zackey yard , having relocated from Paul Matchett two months ago and came out firing on all cylinders.
De Kock’s Dancing Spirit was slow away as Winter Passing went out early to lead Francois Bernardus and Dubai Dizzy, with Regal Stride further back.
Into the straight Karis Teetan kept Winter Passing at it as Francois Bernardus started lengthening with Dubai Dizzy and Sabadell looking dangerous. At this stage The Hangman was being angled out for his run, while War Horse and Principled were charging down the middle.
Grant Van Niekerk. Rode a great for Tyrone Zackey
Francois Bernardus hit the front at the 200m marker and Grant Van Niekerk cleverly kept the gap tight between himself and the rail. That was the route The Hangman would have followed and that made it that much more difficult for Piere Strdyom to get to him. And try as hard as he could, Strydom just ran out of time.
David Rahilly’s long-priced Sugar And Shake dashed down the inside from way back for third.
Francois Bernardus won by 0,25 lengths in a time of 84,07secs.
In the second spot, the Premier’s Champion Stakes winner The Hangman obviously found this trip on the sharp side, and while no match for the winner on the afternoon, he remains a bright prospect.
Disappointments included the Corne Spies-trained War Horse, who had every chance and looked momentarily dangerous before plodding into sixth and 6,25 lengths behind. He is not showing signs of training on at this point in time. Gelding seems the next step for him. Joey Soma’s Principled also had every chance and finished just ahead of War Horse.
Alec Laird’s previously consistent Gitiano also ran way below his best and finished ninth and 8,25 lengths behind.
A son of Goldkeeper, Francois Bernardus was bred by the Armitages and is out of the once-winning Fort Wood mare, Pine Forest. He cost R200 000 on the National Yearling Sale.
A winner of his maiden over the 1200m straight at his third run last time out, when backed from 8-1 to 33-10, Francois Bernardus has now earned R179 375.
Some very good horses have won this race.
Francois Bernardus now needs to go on and show that this win was no flash in the pan.
Result:
Graham Beck S. (SAf-G3) (11/3)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 3, R200.000, 1400m, turf, good, 1.24.07
(CR 1.21.41).
FRANCOIS BERNARDUS (SAF), 52.0, ch g 3, Goldkeeper (USA) – Pine Forest (SAF)
by Fort Wood (USA). Owner F Lottering; breeder GJ Armitage; trainer T
Zackey; jockey G Van Niekerk (R125.000)
The Hangman (SAF), 56.5, b g 3, Jallad (USA) – Helleborus Blue (USA) by
Cee’s Tizzy (USA)
Sugar And Shake (SAF), 52.0, b c 3, Albarahin (USA) – Forgive And Forget
(SAF) by Concertino (FR)
Margins: hd, 4, sh hd
Also ran: Sabadell (SAF) 54.0, Principled (SAF) 52.0, War Horse (SAF) 58.0,
Cannon (SAF) 54.0, Reign As Kings (SAF) 56.0, Gitiano (SAF) 54.0, Danesco
(SAF) 52.0, Dubai Dizzy (SAF) 54.0, Arctic Sun (SAF) 52.0, Dancing Spirit
(ARG) 52.0, Winter Passing (SAF) 52.0, Victory Call () 52.0, Regal Stride
(SAF) 52.0
