In a race scripted out of a fairytale for big day sponsors Hollywoodbets, the consistent Gauteng-based stayer Black Thorn booked his Gold Cup berth as he stormed to victory in the R175 000 Gr3 DSTV Gold Vase at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday in the familiar strip of the Hollywood Syndicate.
In a terrifically emotional moment in the post-race interview, Hollywoodbets Brand & Communication Manager Devin Heffer reflected on the massive turnout and the spectacular splash of purple that bedecked every inch of the historic venue, mentioning that Dad Owen started out selling formguides outside the gates.
A runner-up in both the Gr3 The Citizen Gold Bowl and Gr3 WSB R10 000 1st Deposit Match Caradoc Gold Cup earlier in the season, Black Thorn was all the rage for the graded feature, with the gelding jumping a well backed tote favourite and a popular Pick 6 banker in a bumper carryover exotic.
Keagan De Melo bought Black Thorn with a sustained run around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn, and from there, the pair powered away to score by a deceptively easy just over three-parts of a length win.
Watch the replay here:
Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Black Thorn is trained, like his sire, by Sean Tarry.
Black Thorn is another feather in the cap of his versatile sire Pomodoro (Jet Master), with the latter responsible for graded stakes winners over trips ranging from 1200m to 3000m this season! His flagbearers this season include not only Black Thorn but also Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Epsom Girl and the progressive three-year-old Tchaikovsky.
Black Thorn is a winner of 6 races with 8 places from 17 starts for stakes of R553 499.