First Rate! Seal (Francois Herholdt in red and black) powers on to hold off Heavy Metal (JC Photos)
Gavin Van Zyl’s Seal exerted some upward pressure from his 20th position on the Vodacom Durban July Log with a terrific win in the R200 000 Gr3 Jubilee Handicap run at Turffontein on Sunday. And he also just happens to be yet another feature winner for Silvano this season.
Trainer Gavin Van Zyl has beaten this path before.
His Miesque’s Approval gelding Eton Square won the 2012 Jubilee Handicap before going on to a superb close up fourth to Pomodoro a month later in the Vodacom Durban July.
Often appropriately tagged with a staying label, Seal has won from 1200m to 3000m, and ran sixth in the Jubilee last year.
His presence in this event looked a mere fitness boiler for future commitments, but Seal proved that he is not simply a talented stayer.
Dual jockey unavailability (first Brandon Lerena and then Marthinus Mienie) led to Francois Herholdt landing in the saddle after his great day in Zimbabwe on Saturday.
War Horse cut out a good gallop ahead of Smanjemanje and Zambucca with Seal just off the action.
At the top of the straight the heat turned up with War Horse coming under pressure.
Seal powered into the lead at the 300m and kept going doggedly to hold a flying Heavy Metal by 0,25 lengths. He won in a time of 109,81 secs.
Seal had drifted from an opening call of 25 to 2 to start at 25 to 1.
Main Dane ran third.
Bred by Cape veterinarian Dr Ian Heyns, Seal is by Silvano out of the unraced Rambo Dancer mare Prestine Performer. Seal cost R210 000 on the National Two Year Old Sale of his year.
Seal registered his ninth win with 13 places from his 32 starts and took his career earnings to R2 046 337.
He looks well set for a big July dive!
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Jubilee Hcp (SAf-G3) (6/9) Turffontein, South Africa, June 9, R200.000, 1800m, turf, good, 109.81 (CR ). 1-SEAL (SAF), 61.0, b g 5, Silvano (GER) – Prestine Performer (SAF) by Rambo Dancer (USA). Owner Afrilek Drives (Pty) Ltd; breeder IR Heyns; trainer G v Zyl; jockey F Herholdt (R125.000) 2-Heavy Metal (SAF), 62.5, b g 4, Silvano (GER) – Percussion (SAF) by Baroon (GB) 3-Main Dane (AUS), 52.0, b g 4, Fastnet Rock (AUS) – Fusaichi Rose (AUS) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) Margins: nk, ¾, 1
