Glen Kotzen produced a first SA-bred stakes winner for Drakenstein stallion Duke Of Marmalade, when the lovely chestnut Temple Grafin bounded clear to win the R300 000 Gr3 The Debutante at Greyville on Saturday and give the combination of Richard Fourie and Chrigor Stud a nice double in the race.
Temple Grafin streaks clear under Richard Fourie (Pic – Candiese Marnewick/Gold Circle)
Princess Peach won The Debutante in 2017 for Saturday’s winning combination and the money came for Temple Grafin in the morning after some excuses when running wide in the Golden Slipper at her last start.
Going off at 9-1 and with the instructions simply – but supremely confidently – ‘not to win by too far’, Richard Fourie had Temple Grafin nicely settled from her wide gate as Miss Khalifa and the favourite Inverroche made the pace.
Into the straight, Temple Grafin was always going the better and she stretched clear to beat the late challenge of the previously unbeaten Oratorio filly Arianos Shadow by 1,75 lengths in a time of 71,34 secs.
Glen Kotzen – thrilled with win
The favourite had every chance but had no answers to run a well beaten third a further 0,75 lengths away.
Cape challenger Western Angel improved to run into fourth.
Nothing was seen of Joburg challengers Boss Babe and Heaven’s Reward, despite the pre-race hype.
A R300 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Temple Grafin was bred by Fran Cowe and is a daughter of Drakenstein stallion Duke Of Marmalade (Danehill) out of the one-time winner Inner Temple (Greys Inn).
She has won twice from three starts for stakes of R253 125.
The winner’s sire Duke Of Marmalade, Cartier Champion Older Male in 2008 and A five time Gr1 winner, is already a proven sire success story on the international stage.
To date, Duke Of Marmalade has over 50 stakes horses to his credit, with his offspring having banked more than $31 000 000 in earnings.
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Gr3 The Debutante (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, July 28, R300k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.11.34
1 – TEMPLE GRAFIN (SAF), 60.0, ch f 2, Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) – Inner Temple (SAF) by Greys Inn (USA). Owner Chrigor Stud (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs S Hattingh); Breeder MF Cowe; trainer GS Kotzen; jockey R Fourie
2 – Arianos Shadow (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Querari (GER) – Counting Gold (SAF) by Count Dubois (GB)
3 – Inverroche (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Ideal World (USA) – National Sensation (SAF) by National Assembly (CAN)
Margins: 1.75, 0.75, 1.00
