Bargain! Ace Antonius wins the KZN Yearling Sale million under MJ Byleveld
The inaugural KZN Yearling Sale Million brought the curtain down on Vodacom Durban July day in thrilling fashion with Antonius Pius’ son Ace Antonius winning a great race. With the top four horses costing just R140 000 between them, the incentive to buy local can hardly be questioned.
This event was restricted to subscribed graduates of the 2012 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale and with R1 million on offer, provided enormous instant returns for the top four owners.
Just do the sums.
Ken Truter’s winner cost just R40 000, and has now boosted his bank balance to R 716 250.
The placed horses were not far behind.
The second placed Jimmi Choo cost just R50 000 and took his earnings to R451 750.
The third placed Atso gelding On The Nod sold for R40 000 and his earnings went to R147 850
Pat Lunn’s 40 to 1 shot Van Der Scaler ran fourth and cost just over a month’s keep at R10 000. He has now earned R154 500.
The fifth placed horse earned R25 000.
The race was run on cut up ground and Greg Cheyne had Agatha Panther out quickly from a 1 gate.
She led the favourite Virgo’s Babe with Van Der Scaler further back.
There was plenty of scrimmaging early with a host of young horses fighting for their heads.
Into the straight AceAntonius took over early and the bold move appeared to flounder as he came under pressure from Jimmi Choo and On The Nod down the inside.
But Byleveld straightened his mount and he rallied strongly as Jimmi Choo showed the benefit of being ridden with some restraint.
Ace Antonius went off at 15 to 1 and held on to win by 0,25 lengths in a time of 80,53 secs.
Gauteng visitor Jimmi Choo showed courage with more restrained race tactics by staying on well for second,
Winning trainer Vaughan Marshall had a rather forgettable day up to the final race, but was noticeably relieved and pleased that his charge had won for a longstanding owner.
“I’d like to request that we don’t race this event under lights in future,” he said respectfully in an obvious reference to the positioning of a two year old race on cut up ground under the lights. Marshall will have support amongst his colleagues and even the social media was abuzz with debate about this planning glitch.
Winning jockey MJ Byleveld , whose parents were on course and who had a quiet day up to then, said that he had used his gate speed to overcome his draw and avoid traffic problems.
“Jimmi Choo challenged us and my horse shifted. But I changed my stick and he dug deep and went on nicely,” he said.
Ace Antonius was bred by Highlands and is by Antonius Pius out of the one time winning Dynaformer mare Pacific Peace.
A winner of 2 races with 2 places from 5 starts, he took his stake earnings to R716 250
A KZN Yearling Sale graduate, we will confirm again that the winner cost just R40 000!
This gives a whole new meaning to racehorse ownership as an investment.
Well done to the KZN Breeders again on a splendid and measurable initiative that worked.
