Veteran Turffontein trainer Joey Soma doesn’t enjoy the luxury of treadmills and swimming pools. But his runners win when they are good enough and he rounded off a great feature double on SA Derby Day when the fancied African Adventure outstayed his rivals to win the R150 000 Gr3 WSB Best Odds First Caradoc Gold Cup.
After Got The Greenlight’s terrific fourth Gr1 success in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes a few hours earlier, the consistent marathon man African Adventure (5-2) went past a slightly one-paced leader Atyaab in the final 250m of the 2850m event.
S;manga Khumalo steers African Adventure to an easy win (Pic – JC Photos)
Rounding off one of the most favourite dominated major days in recent memory, S’manga Khumalo put 7,75 lengths between his mount and the opposition to in a time of 182,63 secs.
The well supported Chitengo (7-2) was second, while 14-1 Captain Chorus was a further half length back in third.
Popular East Cape challenger Atyaab found the return trip up to altitude a bridge too far and faded out to 20 lengths off the winner.
Bred by Mr & Mrs John Slade, African Adventure is by Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the Fort Wood mare, African Badger.
A R40 000 National 2yo Sale buy, African Adventure has won 5 races with 8 places from 18 starts for stakes of R383 750.
The Pick 6 paid R265-30.
