The lightning and thunder in the distance as the field loaded for the R1,5 million TAB Gr1 SA Classic at Turffontein on Saturday augured great things for 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July hero Kabelo Matsunyane, who rode a scorcher on Purple Pitcher to record a milestone Grade 1 moment for a delighted owner and first season trainer.
Kabelo Matsunyane keeps Purple Pitcher at his task to hold off Gavin Lerena and Sandringham Summit (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A R170 000 BSA National 2yo Sale purchase, Purple Pitcher gave owner SS ‘Stincky’ Pooe and conditioner Robyn Klaasen their maiden Gr2 winner in November when winning the Dingaans, and relishing his first tilt at the 1800m on Saturday, the son of deceased sire New Predator delivered a giant-killing forward galloping performance to beat the highly regarded odds-on favourite Sandringham Summit in a thriller.
The Triple Crown dream lay in tatters for the Sandringham Summit connections as Kableo Matsunyane kept Purple Pitcher (10-1) on a straight line and digging deep to hold off the attentions of the 6-10 favourite, who was given every conceivable chance by Gavin Lerena.
At the line three quarters of a length separated the pair, with Purple Pitcher clocking 110,59 secs, with Matsunyane registering his half century of winners for the term.
William Iron Arm (7-1) was always in the vanguard and looked to be travelling with a double handful going into the 500m. He faded late to finish a further three quarters of a length back, with New Predator’s son Pure Predator (66-1) completing the quartet and marking a momentous day for his late sire
The purple pitcher people! (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A happy owner Stincky Pooe had celebrated his first ever Hollywoodbets Durban July runner when Robyn Klaasen saddled Second Base in Africa’s greatest horseracing event last season, and it was appropriate that the duo enjoyed a landmark moment together.
Clearly the best performed son of the little exposed New Predator (New Approach), the winner was bred by Bush Hill Stud is out of the one-time winning Count Dubois mare, Heliantha.
A winner of 6 races with 3 places from 11 starts, Purple Pitcher took his stakes earnings to R1 755 000.
He was purchased for R170 000 off the BSA National 2yo Sale last year and now looks a realistic SA Triple Crown contender.
Racing was delayed after this race as the elements moved in over Turffontein.
