An elated Ryan Munger drives Crown Of Roses home to win the Bauhinia (Pic – JC Photos)
Dominic Zaki produced a Pick 6 kicker with the Tiger Ridge filly Crown Of Roses who scored a career first stakes win in Saturday’s R150 000 Listed Bauhinia Handicap at Turffontein.
The Ambiance Stud-bred 4yo showed good pace in a competitive nine horse field that brimmed with speed.
The race was an unhappy one for the connections of the weak 7 to 2 favourite Winter Passion.
Ryan Munger – back in form again
She ran stone last after playing up at the start, being hampered, incurred a mouth injury, had her starting certificate withdrawn and her jockey Donovan Mansour will face an inquiry after the starter was not happy with his conduct.
After all that, high-riding apprentice Ryan Munger, who rode a career milestone 60th winner at Flamingo Park last Monday, stayed out of trouble and brought home the 14 to 1 Crown Of Roses, who stayed on best to win by 1,25 lengths in a time of 57,30 secs.
Seventh Symphony ran into second to maintain her post-maiden consistency, with Clear Sailing giving the KZN raiders Miller and Veale some petrol money after earlier disappointments in the baby features.
The Ambiance Stud-bred Crown Of Roses is a daughter of the late Mauritzfontein stallion Tiger Ridge and is out of the Irish-bred three-time winner in France, Girolata (Vettori). The latter also raced in this country and placed.
Tiger Ridge died on 16 January 2014 as a result of a heart attack at age 18.
He was an exceptionally well-bred horse, being a son of leading sire Storm Cat and produced from Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, making him a half brother to classic winners A.P. Indy (Belmont Stakes, gr. I) and Summer Squall (Preakness Stakes, gr. I).
A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, and Honor Grades, another half brother to Tiger Ridge, were all successful stallions. His second dam was Buckpasser matron Lassie Dear, also dam of champion sire Al Mufti.
So with her first dollop of black-type here, Crown Of Roses looks to have some decent prospects as a broodmare at some time.
She has now won 4 races with 9 places from 19 starts and R358 275 in stakes.
She was purchased for R60 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2.
Stipes Report excerpt:
- a) WINTER PASSION (D Mansour) was restless in the stalls. The Starting Stall Certificate for this filly has been withdrawn until recertified tractable. Trainer S M Ferreira was advised (PHvdW).
- a) An Inquiry will be opened into a report by the Starter regarding the conduct of Jockey D Mansour at the start.
- b) FIRE DANCING (*C Storey), WINTER PASSION (D Mansour) and ROCKABERRY LANE (A Delpech) brushed when they were crowded for galloping room at the start.
- c) HA LUCY (I Sturgeon) was hanging in throughout.
- d) In view of the performance of WINTER PASSION (D Mansour) (betting 7/2), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly.
- e) Apprentice C Storey the rider of FIRE DANCING reported that this filly changed stride continually in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly.
- f) CROWN OF ROSES, the winner (*R Munger), was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer D Zaki was advised (SW).
