The R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday produced an upset result of some proportions when the free-striding Budapest went all the way from a favourable draw to score a ridiculously easy win in the hands of top jockey, Anthony Delpech.
Budapest and Anthony Delpech stretch clear for an easy win (Pic – Wayne Marks)
For many punters, this was a case of the ‘wrong’ KZN raider winning the richly endowed sales race – and it just proved again what a tough game this is on most days.
Dennis Drier saddled the dual Gr1 winner Seventh Plain, who simply had better high-level form than anything else in the sixteen horse field and went off at 18 to 10, despite his wide draw.
The advantage of the proven form, the top jockey and a champion trainer seemed to outweigh the negative of a 20 week break and the parking spot in Kenilworth Centre from where Seventh Plain was jumping.
But, boy oh boy, were most of us wrong.
A disrupted pre-start ironically saw the eventual winner Budapest playing games and having to be loaded with a hood. This left many of his opponents falling asleep in their gates – even though Seventh Plain could not have used this as an excuse, as he was one of the last to load.
In a disappointing twist for trainer Greg Ennion, the talented filly Just Felicity was withdrawn at the start, reducing the field to fifteen.
Anton Marcus had the handsome Seventh Plain out keenly and he tracked across to lead for a short while, as Anthony Delpech displayed the tactical guile that has made him a top jockey.
Anthony Delpech- safest hands in the game – and a tactical brain to match
The Avontuur-sponsored Delpech took the fight to Seventh Plain and went past the favourite on the strong galloping, fit and aggressive, Budapest.
That was the last they were to see of the 33 to 1 Budapest, who simply increased his lead to win going away by 4,25 lengths, in a race that panned out extraordinarily straightforward.
The Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Anglet charged out of the pack to make a bold statement for the fairer sex, and bank the R525 000 runner-up cheque. A top achievement by Paddy Kruyer for the daughter of Biarritz, who looks to win her share of races.
Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery winner Captain Chaos ran on steadily from his favourable position to grab third, ahead of the rather flat, Seventh Plain.
Sean Tarry’s Graham Beck Stakes runner-up Liege was 8,75 lengths off the winner in tenth position and was the last finisher to bank a cheque. He may need a little further.
Anthony Delpech confirmed the tactical thinking to go out and make Seventh Plain work and he said his mount never let up.
Trainer Gavin Van Zyl was all smiles and confirmed that he was ‘more than delighted, while proudly extolling the capabilities of his son Gareth, who has been given the responsibility of training owner Brian Burnard’s string.
Gavin Van Zyl – ‘more than delighted’
“Chesney is in Johannesburg and for the past 3 months Gareth has looked after Brian’s horses. This is his first big win. I am so proud of him. And thanks to Brian and Yolande and their family – we couldn’t do this without people like them to buy us the horses.”
Van Zyl added that he was thankful to breeder Spencer Cook, who had urged him to buy the youngster.
The Witzenberg Stud-bred Budapest was purchased by his trainer off the 2014 Lanzerac Ready To Run Sale for R160 000.
He has won 2 of his 5 starts with 2 places, and took his stakes earned to R1 324 750. A happy ROI for any owner!
Budapest is one of just two runners to have raced from the five-strong final crop of the Australian-bred Nureyev stallion, Lithuanian.
An Aus $525 000 yearling, Lithuanian won three races over 1000m to 1400m during a career which saw him competing in the UK and South Africa. He only started eight times in total.
While beautifully bred, Lithuanian was not a success at stud.
The winner’s dam Fashion File (by Count Dubois) won three races from 1200m to a mile in her racing career with Piet Steyn.
She has also produced two winners in Last Tiger (3 wins) and the now PE-based Fashion Scout (2 wins).
The favourite Seventh Plain should not be written off, and looks likely to line up in the Cape Guineas next month.
We will give him another chance – as he owes us all plenty.
