Rabada scores a runaway win to remain unbeaten
Brave Tin Soldier’s impressive colt Rabada notched up two notable milestones when cruising to an impressive victory in Saturday’s R135 000 Listed Gatecrasher Stakes at Greyville. He not only enjoyed the honour of being crowned a first stakes winner for his beautifully bred sire but was also a maiden feature success for Ingrid and Markus Jooste, as patrons of Gauteng trainer Mike Azzie.
There wasn’t an easier winner on the afternoon than the impressive Rabada, who despite running green and not seeming to know what racing was all about, produced a performance that augurs well for a bright future.
Having only his second start after a clinical Turffontein 1400m winning debut, his trainer admitted that the good draw had swung the decision to run him, despite Anton Marcus’ recommendation after he had won first time out.
“I recall when Anton won on him on debut, he said that he wouldn’t enjoy Greyville. I don’t understand why some of the guys draw 1,2 or 3 over these distances and then don’t accept,” chirped the always eloquent Azzie.
The race mapped out perfectly for the Joburg raider with S’manga Khumalo allowing Red Hot Poker to lead the way. Anton Marcus had Rabada tucked up on the rail in the box seat.and that is where he stayed until a short way into the home straight.
Despite running around and green, Rabada once given his head, changed legs and gunned away from his opposition to score an unpressured 3,25 length win in a time of 84,41 secs.
The maiden Exit Here ran on strongly from some way off for second, ahead of Justin Snaith’s Lineker – another to catch the eye at only his second start.
The pacesetter Red Hot Poker faded right out of contention.
Anton Marcus – ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’
Jockey Anton Marcus was his typically conservative self:
“I believe we will see the best of him as a 3yo. But we must remember that one swallow doesn’t make a summer. He raced erratically and jumped a patch or two – he will also be much better over further,” he suggested.
Trainer Michael Azzie said that he was impressed by the colt and was pleased to have trained a first feature winner for the Joostes.
Rabada made it 2 wins from 2 starts and took his stakes earnings to R137 500. He is a R300 000 2014 CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale graduate.
A son of Brave Tin Soldier, he was bred by Summerhill Stud and is out of the one-time winning Fard mare, Jordie.
A record-breaking $3-million USD weanling, the Summerhill based Brave Tin Soldier, is a stunning bay stallion with a beautiful head and passing his good looks onto his progeny. He carries an immaculate pedigree which reflects his good looks – being by world champion sire Storm Cat out of Bless by Mr Prospector – his dam is a full-sister to Kentucky Derby winner and sire, Fusaichi Pegasus.
Achieving four wins, Brave Tin Soldier won the Blenheim Stakes Listed as a two year old and the Gr3 Cliff Hanger Stakes over 1700m at age five. Racing in the UK, France, USA and UAE, he also placed in Group company.
