Trainer Mike Azzie and jockey Karl Zechner maintained their feature winning streak at Turffontein on Saturday as the Var mare Easy Game ran on best to secure her first stakes win and clinch what proved to be a wide open R150 000 Listed Bauhinia Handicap.
Easy Game (Karl Zechner) strides out well for a first stakes victory (Pic – JC Photos)
Azzie and Zechner are no doubt still on a high after Abashiri’s sensational SA Triple Crown opening leg win in the Gauteng Guineas.
But Saturday was a whole new day, with fresh challenges and the veteran trainer would have been pleased to secure the Azzie exacta – which paid a rather hefty R345 on the tote!
Easy Game has not had things easy after a flying start to her career and knee problems have meant that she has been lightly raced – as evidenced by her only having her fourteenth start here.
But joint owners Taso Christoforou, and Mike and Sharon Azzie, have been the epitome of patience and time has rewarded them, particularly after this black type strike, with what should prove to be a valuable broodmare.
As Christoforou, who is better known as the owner of Azzie’s biggest horse in champion sprinter National Currency, said afterwards: “This game is all about patience. You have to circle and wait for the opportunity.” He should know!
Ironically it was the Van Vuurens who took a back seat and provided the lead for Easy Game’s win as their speedy Querari filly Spring Wonder went fast early, and gave her stablemate the cover.
At the 250m marker Zechner gave Easy Game her head and she drew off well to win by 2,20 lengths in a time of 55,69 secs.
Callan Murray changed whip hands late on Spring Wonder and she stayed on gamely for second to thwart the late run of race favourite, Lumya.
Drifting Dusk maintained her consistency to run fourth.
Karl Zechner – riding with confidence
Jockey Karl Zechner suggested afterwards that Easy Game may have needed her last two runs – but she nevertheless went off a generous 25-1.
“When the gates opened I was happy to get a lead from my stablemate. Easy Game went on well – she is a good mare and deserves the black type,” he said.
Assistant Adam Azzie was deputising on race day duty for his Dad and said:
“Things worked out well with Spring Wonder leading the way – that is the only way she races. We are thrilled with the top two finish and it is patience rewarded for Taso Christoforou.”
The 5yo Wilgerbosdrift bred Easy Game is a daughter of Var out of the Australian-bred Desert King mare, She’s Game – a half sister to the granddam of Merlene de Lago.
Easy Game has won 5 from 14 starts with 5 places – and took her stakes earnings to R364 725.
