On a terrific weekend for the Robertson-based Maine Chance Farms, their Dubawi stallion Erupt recorded his first stakes winner care of the aptly named chestnut Karangetang who stormed home on debut to win the weather-delayed R175 000 Listed Storm Bird Stakes.
Only five runners lined up in the 2yo 1000m feature, but it was keenly contested, with chances to at least three of them going into the final 200m.
Keagan de Melo steers Erupt son Karnagetang to a stakes win on debut (Pic – JC Photos)
But riding with oodles of confidence after his terrific treble at Kenilworth on Cape Derby day, Keagan de Melo guided the handsome Karangetang (6-1) into the lead on the outside and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained colt galloped on powerfully to beat the experienced Arividicio (5-4) by 2,50 lengths in a time of 58,01 secs.
The filly Ode To The Ocean ran 23 lengths back and may have gone wrong – watch the Stipes report for more.
For interest’s sake, Karangetang is a volcano on the north side of Siau Island off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Karangetang, who races in the familiar Wernars family white, black and red flag, was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and is a son of Erupt (Dubawi) out of the Var two-time winner, La Revere.
He banked R109 375 on a perfect debut and as an early stakes strike for Erupt – only his second winner – the champagne will be flowing at Maine Chance.
One of 48 Gr1 winners sired by outstanding stallion Dubawi – also responsible for successful and promising sires Night Of Thunder, New Bay, Makfi, Time Test and Zarak – Erupt hails from a truly exceptional female line.
Erupt is out of the Gr3 Prix Vanteaux winner Mare Nostrum (herself a daughter of champion sire Caerleon), a half-sister to Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes queen Aube Indienne.
This is also the family of leading sires Encosta De Lago, Flying Spur, Holy Roman Emperor and Night Shift, as well as current boom Australian galloper Home Affairs.
