Tiger Territory gets the better of the pacy Anger to win well (JC Photos)
Mike De Kock’s Tiger Territory has developed into one of the most consistent and versatile sprinters around and he skipped home in good style under topweight to win the R125 000 Lightning Stakes run over 1000m on the Vaal sand on Thursday.
The non black-type feature billing provided solid entertainment on the Vaal sand programme.
Tiger Territory is still in for Tuesday evening at Turffontein, where he is scheduled to line up in the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap against the smart Willow Magic.
The capable son of Trippi looks just about equally at home on both surfaces and appears rather nicely weighted in the handicap off a 94 turf rating.
Much will depend on how he pulls up after today, but the improving Akash Aucharuz nursed him home for a convincing victory and Tuesday will be his fourth run in five weeks if he runs. So he is very fit!
Tiger Territory was the second leg of a double for Mike De Kock after the Australian bred Qawaasem had won the previous race under Gavin Lerena.
Living up to the name of the race, Fanie Chambers had Anger into a quick lead and the Brazillian-bred colt, a colourful enigmatic character on the track, appears to be edging back to his best.
He led well into the final 250m and the even-money favourite Tiger Territory only got the better of him late, going past to win by a head in a time of 58,88 secs.
Anger’s grey stablemate Kiss Me Hardy stayed on late into third, just edging out the 75 to 1 quartet kicker, Maji Moto.
Tiger Territory has now won 8 races with 7 places from 26 starts for stakes of R687 925.
He was no cheapie. The 4yo gelded son of Trippi out of the unraced Model Man mare, Fragrant Filly, was bought for R1,1 million at the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale by Ivan Snyman, who races him in partnership. He was bred by Highlands.
Sarve charges clear under Francois Naude (JC Photos)
Here Comes Summer
The fillies equivalent, the R125 000 Summer Speedsters, produced a minor Pick 6 result when the 7 to 1 Sarve overhauled the popular banker and lightning fast 16 to 10 favourite Ha Lucy inside the 200m marker to win.
Bidding to make it a double for the high-riding Trippi, Ha Lucy looked comfortable at the 300m marker, but had no answers as the Corne Spies-trained Sarve powered home under Francois Naude to win going away by 3,50 lengths in a time of 59,31secs.
Dominci Zaki’s game Tiger Quest sadly appeared to break down in running and was pulled up by Gavin Lerena. No news on her status was available as we went to press.
Favour Stud bred Sarve, and also race the 3yo daughter of Sarge, who is out of the very speedy Waldoboro mare, First Wave. The latter won 4 races.
Sarve has now won 3 races with 5 places from 12 starts and took her stakes earnings to R245 950.
Ian Sturgeon and trainer David Rahilly also scored a double on the day when the odds-on Razzle My Tazzle and Pinot Noir won the third and fourth races respectively.
