Antonius Pius’ lightly raced staying son Cool Chardonnay registered a commendable double in the R150 000 Listed Aquanaut Handicap, when he ran on strongly to win the 2450m feature at Turffontein on Saturday.
Callan Murray registers the middle of his three winners as Cool Chardonnay storms to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
A beautifully balanced and well judged ride by young apprentice Callan Murray, who rode a three timer on the Guineas afternoon, saw the Weiho Marwing trained Cool Chardonnay romp home in an exciting finish to a bumper Pick 6, where 2.23 winners collected a hefty R 1 972 812!
Interestingly, Cool Chardonnay has had only two runs in the year since he beat Henry Higgins under 6,5kgs less pudding in the 2015 Aquanaut.
But on Saturday he came out fighting fit and started at 8-1 in the eleven horse field.
The very consistent Duke Of Marmalade mare Marmalady went off favourite at 33-10 and she ran a cracker to finish third.
The Elmo Effect led Orchestrated and Flying The Flag early, as Callan Murray settled Cool Chardonnay in fourth, after he proved keen for a few strides.
Into the run for home, The Elmo Effect continued to gallop strongly as he was challenged by the full of running Marmalady and Cool Chardonnay, who was the ham on the sandwich.
Callan Murray – improving with every ride
Murray waited till late to put the whip on Cool Chardonnay, who eventually got a few left-handed smacks in the final 150m as he went for the line to beat the fast-finishing Elusive Flyer by 0,75 lengths in a time of 157,79 secs.
Marmalady stayed on gamely for third, ahead of Storm Warning.
Mike de Kock’s Irish import Flying The Flag was always thereabouts, but faded badly to run stone last.
Cool Chardonnay has now won 4 races with 3 places from 10 starts for stakes of R354 375.
The Highands Farms bred Cool Chardonnay is a son of Antonius Pius out of the American-bred Touch Gold mare Wine Dark Sea, who won twice.
Weiho Marwing paid just R80 000 for the winner on the 2013 Emperors Palace National Two Year Old Sale.
