The Hangman dishes out the punishment as Candy Moon and King Neptune stay on
An emotional victory achieved through a cracking feat of training by national log leading conditioner Sean Tarry saw a former top-class youngster return to winning ways at Greyville on Sunday. The Hangman has always been a public favourite and his return to something near his best in the R200 000 Gr3 Kings Cup bodes well for the season ahead.
Sean Tarry – patience repaid
Back at the scene of his 2yo triumph in the 2012 Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes, The Hangman scored his second victory in under three weeks and now looks well on the road to recovery.
A career threatening cannon-bone fracture on the eve of the 2012 Cape Guineas put an end to Tarry and owner Chris Van Niekerk’s high hopes for a horse once rated their best 2yo. But perserverance, patience and some astute veterinary work has seen the son of Jallad bounce back even stronger as a 5yo.
The ten horse field that lined up on Sunday was of a typically open handicap quality, but based on his known class and ability, and his recent good Vaal win, punters were not going to miss a trick and The Hangman was installed favourite at 18 to 10.
Warren Kennedy took King Neptune up to the head of affairs and slowed the pace down dramatically as he was followed by the grey Stolen Destiny, with stablemates The Hangman and Kolkata dawdling along in third and fourth.
The order remain unchanged and into the Greyville straight King Neptune stepped it up as Mgudlwa pressed the launch button on The Hangman.
Athandiwe Mgudlwa – underrated rider
With a minimum of fuss he cruised into the lead as Candy Moon came through down the inside with Royal Zulu Guard also putting in some good work.
Stolen Destiny faded badly as The Hangman ran on strongly to hold Candy Moon by a length in a time of 98,83 secs.
King Neptune hung on for third and it was a decent ride by his jockey, who took the only route he had of possibly winning the race.
Royal Zulu Guard maintained his consistency and ran on powerfully down the outside to grab fourth cheque.
The Hangman only arrived in KZN on Friday but stripped fresh and well and it is possible that he will stay in the province for Champions Season.
Athandiwe Mgudlwa rode a confident race on the favourite and full marks to the Tarry yard for giving the young man the opportunity to ride a feature winner. “He was switched off in running off what was not an ideal pace but he is a horse with lots of ability and he quickened well,” said Mgudlwa.
The Hangman is a gelded son of Jallad out of the four-time winning American mare Helleborous Blue(by Cee’s Tizzy).
A R450 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, The Hangman has now won 6 races with 5 places from 20 starts for stake earnings of R1 028 425.
Jockey Anton Marcus was back to winning ways with a hat-trick on the day, while Duncan Howells and Garth Puller saddled a double apiece.
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Gr3 Kings Cup (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, March 15, R200k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.38.83
1 – THE HANGMAN (SAF), 59.0, b g 5, Jallad (USA) – Helleborus Blue by Cee’s Tizzy (USA). Owner Mr C J H Van Niekerk; Breeder Highlands; trainer SG Tarry; jockey A Mgudlwa
2 – Candy Moon , 59.5, ch g 5, Lundy’s Liability (BRZ) – Cosmic Galaxy by Silvano (GER)
3 – King Neptune (SAF), 53.0, b g 6, Cataloochee (SAF) – Plutonium (SAF) by Muhtafal (USA)
Margins: 1.00, 0.15, 0.15
