Jackpot! Mike Miller’s promising Judpot colt Colour Of Courage could atone for his rather average effort in the Gatecrasher Stakes
The KZN Yearling Sale Million has attracted a capacity field of sixteen sale graduates. It appropriately also includes the sales-record breaking Trippi colt Tiger Territory, who has the distinction of being the first horse in the history of the KZN Yearling Sale to sell for over a million rand.
KZN Yearling Sale Million
This race is open to two year-olds who graduated from the 2012 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale. It is open to any horse who passed through the sales ring, as long as the breeders agreed to certain terms and conditions.
These restricted big bucks races are the modern trend of providing owners and prospective buyers with the exciting opportunity of gaining a tangible early thrill and return on investment. Judging on some of the ridiculously cheap price tags in this year’s field , one happy owner is going to be very pleased he didn’t opt for the probably more stable, but substantially less rewarding alternative, of a fixed deposit at one of the banks.
The scoop of having the race form part of the Vodacom Durban July programme celebrations is a further boon. It is well know that a distant second best thing to owning a July winner, is actually having a winner on the day.
The Ace
Another Chance. The Vaughan Marshall trained Ace Antonius deserves another chance after blotting his copybook in the Gold Medallion
Vaughan Marshall’s Ace Antonius is a son of Antonius Pius and cost just R40 000 at sale. He was an impressive and well supported winner on debut over the Kenilworth 1200m and ran a cracker at his third start when going down narrowly to Colour Of Courage in the Umkhomazi Stakes.
He ran a poor race in the Gold Medallion, when changing legs in the running and fading right out to finish way back. Alyson Wright’s debut winner Act Of Valor cost R50 000 and beat a small field at a generous 7 to 1 on debut over the Greyville 1000m. His dam won up to 2000m and while poorly drawn, it is worth noting that Anthony Delpech stays with the ride.
Tyrone Zackey’s Miesque’s Approval gelding Authorice is one of the pricier lots at R260 000. He was well backed when winning at his second run over the Vaal 1000m and is held in very high regard by his connections. If not green at his first sight of Greyville and the bend, he may be worth including.
Mike Miller’s Colour Of Courage R140 000 is one of only three two time winners in the race. The son of Judpot won the Umkhomazi Stakes at his second outing, but was then a trifle flat when six lengths behind Zambezi Torrent in the Gatecrasher Stakes. He was slow away there and may be worth another chance on his earlier promise.
He is crying out for this extra ground and should go very close. He is one of two runners owned in partnership by Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac.
Impressive
Justin Snaith’s He’s A Nadoe was an impressive winner on debut at Fairview three weeks ago. The son of Sronghold is very difficult to assess here as most PE formlines usually are, but hails from a top stable and should not be ignored.
The very fast Storm Bird Stakes winner Jimmi Choo will have to be ridden with more restraint than that displayed in his first five starts. He has won twice and earned at all of his starts.
The son of Bezrin is an enthusiastic galloper and tired markedly to finish over six lengths back to Willow Magic in the SA Nursery. He is drawn 4 and it will be interesting to see what plan regular pilot Sherman Brown opts for.
Nod On
Dean Kannemeyer’s Atso gelding On The Nod was an astute purchase for loyal patron Warren Laird at just R40 000. He has drawn well at 2 and comes off a comfortable win at his third start over 1200m at Durbanville. Greg Ennion’s Spectrum gelding Sunday Sun was disappointing in the Langerman where he produced no finish and was reported to be making a respiratory noise.
He is drawn worst of all.
Tiger Territory is coupled with Jimmi Choo. Popular owner Ivan Snyman went to a record price to acquire the Trippi gelding who won on the Vaal sand at his third start. He has drawn very wide and he is very difficult to assess on the turf.
Faded
Patrick Lunn’s Stronghold gelding Van Der Scaler has won once from seven outings and cost just R10 000. He ran handily before fading at his last start and requires big improvement on that. Six fillies have made the cut and they include the promising SA Filies Nursery winner Virgo’s Babe.
Kum Naidoo’s grey Newton filly Agatha Panther has run three good races and won a good race over the minimum trip at Clairwood. Gavin Van Zyl’s King Of Kings filly Angie cost R100 000 and looked promising until put under pressure in the Devon Air Stakes.
She was slow away and ran over ten lengths behind her stablemate Mohave Princess. The second the Tyrone Zackey runners is another King Of Kings filly.
Blooming
Grant Van Niekerk rides King’s Rose who won at her fifth start over the Vaal 1200m. She has the experience of a righthanded turn via her start at Turffontein and if not needing this outing after a three month break, is worth considering.
Pippi is the second the Pat Lunn runners and cost R140 000. The daughter of Greys Inn has improved at all three starts, and was a ready winner of her maiden at Scottsville last time out. The superfast stakes placed Princess Julietta has drawn badly but may just have the gate speed to overcome that.
The unknown will be at exactly what cost of energy that may be. After being baulked late in the Debutante, she was outclassed in the Allan Robertson when finishing ten lengths behind Happy Valentine . It is worth noting that stable jockey Brandon Lerena has opted to ride Princess Julietta.
The scintillating SA Fillies Nursery winner Virgo’s Babe has her first run beyond 1200m and her first around the turn. She was well beaten by the promising Winter Star at Turffontein at her last start and looks like the type that will enjoy the increased ground here. That would also make a lot of sense on her breeding.
Tough Stuff
In a potential nightmare event for punters, we are suggesting that Colour Of Courage could hold the improving On The Nod, with Ace Antonius and Virgo’s Babe fighting over the scraps. But the draw and inexperience will play a role. Note: The Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale will be held in Durban on 4 and 5 July.
