Top 3yo of last term One World made a triumphant return after a 19 week break when winning the R200 000 Gr3 Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday to give the long established team of Vaughan Marshall and Avontuur-sponsored rider MJ Byleveld a thrilling treble.
The classy One World had not seen action since having his bubble burst by Vardy in the Gr3 Winter Classic back in May, but announced his return in style to take his earnings to the cusp of R3,5 million.
MJ Byleveld (blue cap) sends One World for home as Donovan Dillon brings Search Party from the clouds (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
On the weight-for-age plus penalties for Gr1 and Gr2 wins weight structure of the Matchem, topweight Undercover Agent and the year younger One World stood out head and shoulders above the opposition, rating nine points clear of Search Party and eleven points and more above the rest.
In a fun merit ratings educational challenge launched earlier in the week by the Sporting Post, Search Party at 33/1 was mooted as a possibly rewarding place bet – and he duly delivered, paying R5 the tote place when beaten under half a length by One World. The exacta with the tote favourite paid R66!
Undercover Agent was a reluctant entrant at the starting gates and was eventually loaded without jockey Corne Orffer.
The Captain Al entire, originally destined for stud this season, lead the charge from Sacred Arrow and Pleasedtomeetyou, with Bishops Bounty and One World further back.
The top 3yo African Warrior was stone last from his bad draw, turning for home.
In the dash for home, Undercover Agent continued to grind away but Byleveld was full of the joys of spring on a great day at the office and he produced One World with a perfectly timed challenge.
Search Party came from miles back but had no answers to One World’s burst.
At the line, the Marshall moneyspinner was 0,40 lengths in front in a time of 82,27 secs.
Victorious duo Vaughan Marshall and MJ Byleveld (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Undercover Agent tired late to run into third, 1,25 lengths adrift of his longshot stable mate.
The top three were all sired by deceased champion sire Captain Al.
African Warrior ran on stoutly from the rear and finished fifth and 2,25 lengths off the winner. He is on track for the Guineas on this effort.
A Klawervlei bred, One World is yet another top-performing son of deceased Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the UK placed Aquilonia (Giant’s Causeway).
He cost R425 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and has won 8 races with 2 places from 10 starts for stakes of R3 467 500.
One World coincidentally started his 3yo campaign with a win in a Progress Plate over subsequent Equus Champion Kasimir on the corresponding day last season.
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Gr3 Matchem Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Durbanville, South Africa, October 5, R200k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.22.27
1 – ONE WORLD (SAF), 58.5, b c 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Aquilonia (USA) by Giant’s Causeway (USA). Owner Messrs E A Braun, K P Truter & A J van Huyssteen & Mrs Jane Truter; Breeder Klawervlei Stud; trainer VH Marshall; jockey M Byleveld
2 – Search Party (SAF), 57.0, b g 7, Captain Al (SAF) – Princess Magdalena (GB) by Pennekamp (USA)
3 – Undercover Agent (SAF), 60.0, b h 5, Captain Al (SAF) – Secret Risk by London News (SAF)
Margins: 0.40, 1.25, 0.40
