Tiger Ridge colt Isphan storms clear to win Protea Stakes (JC Photos)
Mike Azzie and Gavin Lerena got Pick Six punters off to a shaky start when the lesser fancied of their stable coupling won the R200 000 Gr3 Protea Stakes. Tiger Ridge’s son Isphan showed good post maiden improvement in the blinkers to win a cracking good race.
Despite the exotic bet upset, this was a great result for Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud as one of the day’s major sponsors and it further underlined the loss of their stallion Tiger Ridge.
Isphan’s stablemate Rough Justice, who had won on debut, was well fancied but faded out late to run fourth.
The supported first timer Allenby Park was slow out as the unbeaten Captured Wind showed the way with Isphan in midfield.
Mike Azzie trained Isphan
Gavin Lerena brought Isphan through to take the lead at the 400m and he stayed on well to beat the luckless favourite Kiss Me Hardy, who ran on too late again and may need further to show his best.
Isphan won by half a length in a time of 64,23 secs.
The 20 to 1 shot Isphan has now won 2 races from 2 races with 1 place from 4 starts and R197 250 in stakes.
The Mauritzfontein Stud bred colt is by recently deceased stallion Tiger Ridge out of the twice winning Fort Wood mare, Queen Of Persia.
Isphan looks likely to stay 2000m and he could train on based on this showing.
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Gr3 Protea Stakes (SAf-Gr3) Turffontein, South Africa, March 29, R200k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.04.23 1–ISPHAN (SAF), 57.0, b c 2, Tiger Ridge (USA) – Queen Of Persia (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Mr S M Leahy; breeder Mauritzfontein Stud; trainer MG Azzie; jockey G Lerena 2–Kiss Me Hardy (SAF), 56.0, gr g 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Kiss And Fly (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF) 3–Captured Wind (SAF), 58.0, b c 2, Sail From Seattle (USA) – Capture The Wind (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA) Margins: ½, 1, 1
