In a week where restricted races have been the subject of hot debate, nobody was whinging at Turffontein on Saturday.
Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy pulled the tactical ace out of the hat on Saturday when their Elusive Fort filly Big Burn went all the way to win the R400 000 Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (3yo Fillies).
Warren Kennedy guides Big Burn home (Pic – JC Photos)
Having been beaten by the subsequent Gr1 placer Supreme Quest in the KZN leg of the BSA Sales Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Vodacom Durban July day, Big Burn (5-2) was gone and running in the 1400m non black-type feature on Saturday and she kept on smartly to hold the gallant odds-on favourite Supreme Quest to 1,30 lengths in a time of 85,22 secs.
Ash Fortune’s 100-1 shot Princess Kesh caught the eye and banked the R58 000 cheque in third, a further 6,20 lengths adrift.
The late scratching at the start of High Flyby reduced the field to just eight runners chasing the R180 000 first cheque in a race restricted to eligible graduates of the 2020 BSA National 2yo Sale. Cheques were payable all the way down to sixth place.
Warren Kennedy paid tribute to the Paul Peter team for the great work done on the daughter of Elusive Fort, who was far more settled on Saturday.
“The 1400m is her limit. I think she is a sprinter,” said Kennedy.
Trainer Paul Peter elated and said the win was a get better wish for owner Ian Levitan, who is ill.
“We closed her mouth and even did performed the Caslick procedure. Great ride by Warren and well done to the owners and my team,” he added.
The winner, a full sister to last season’s classic performer Catch Twentytwo from the same yard, was bred by Narrow Creek Stud and is a daughter of Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the once winning Argonaut mare, Ignition Lady.
She cost R300 000 at the BSA National 2yo Sale and took her tally to 2 wins and a place from 3 starts for earnings of R319 000.
The BSA National 2yo Sale will be held in Johannesburg on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 August.
