The Rathmor Stud-bred Copper Mountain showed the value of his Gr1 form behind Vodacom Durban July favourite Got The Greenlight, when he cruised to a popular victory in the stakes rejuvenated R600 000 KZN Breeders Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
The only turf contest on the eight race annual KZN Breeders Race Day which was populated exclusively by horses registered with the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme, produced a massively favourable result for exotic punters.
Gavin Lerena steers Copper Mountain to an easy win (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Gavin Lerena, who partners Kommetdieding in the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, rode a confident race in the Wernars family silks on the Noble Tune gelding for trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren.
Relaxed near the rear as the grey Willow Express cut out something of what looked to be a potentially dangerously dictatorial pace, Copper Mountain (4-10) confirmed his early classic potential with a smooth win to beat stablemate Chijmes (8-1) by a facile 1,70 lengths in a time of 99,51 secs.
The pacemaker Willow Express (8-1) had little to offer late and plodded a further 1,60 lengths back in third.
KZN Breeders Chair Cathy Martin said that the body had twisted Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac’s arm to have the KZN Breeders Mile stakes increased by R100 000, to R600 000 and the seven supporting races from R100 000 to R120 000 each.
The Wernars are big supporters of racing in the holiday province and banked a BSA sales voucher for R20 000, with the second and third placers each pocketing R10 000. The vouchers can be utilised towards the purchase of a #kznbred yearling at the 2021 BSA Two Year Old Sales in August and November.
Copper Mountain was a bargain buy at R80 000 on the KZN Yearling Sale and took his career earnings to R757 100.
A winner of 4 races with 6 places from 12 starts, the Rathmor product is by Noble Tune (Unbridled’s Song) out of the well established winner producing Fort Wood mare, Royal Aspen.
