Despite Khaya Stables’ impressive 3yo Khaya’s Hope cruising in to add the R175 000 Listed Ibhayi Stakes to his fast developing cv, the Fairview Friday ‘Pick 5’ still managed to pay a rather healthy R 70 776.
An athletic and eyecatching gelding with plenty of scope and likely major centre aspirations, Khaya’s Hope’s smart feature victory was the ham on the Gavin Smith treble sandwich, on a day where results mostly played ball, bar the 40-1 victory by Red Berry in the Listed Lady’s Pendant.
Keagan de Melo has Khaya’s Hope cruising to victory (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Keagan de Melo had Khaya’s Hope relaxed two lengths off the early pace but when given the office early in the home run, the son of Galileo stallion The United States drew away to endorse his 4-10 starting price and clock 84,21 secs for the 1400m, registering his second stakes victory and his fourth win on the trot.
Cape raider Blackberry Malt (5-1) finished well but had no chance with the hands-ridden winner and was 1,50 lengths in arrears at the line.
It was a happy start to what could be a big weekend for Khaya Stables, who have some decent runners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, and also sponsor the Gr2 Diadem Stakes – where they have lively victory aspirations!
Previously described as the best 3yo in Gqeberha by his regular pilot Keagan de Melo, Khaya’s Hope is a son of Moutonshoek Galileo stallion The United States out of the UK-placed Danehill Dancer mare, Miss Khaya, and was bred by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s powerful operation.
A winner of 5 races with 6 places from 11 starts, Khaya’s Hope has never been further back than third and has banked stakes of R518 750.
