Hennie Greyling steers Stavinsky to victory (JC Photos)
A horse described by his breeder as a ‘staying sort’ at his ready to run gallop won his first start beyond 1450m at the age of 5 – his 57th run – at the Vaal on Tuesday.
The Summerhill Stud-bred Stavinsky has been a loyal and versatile multi-surface servant for owner Ivan Snyman.
He chalked up his ninth career victory and R784 000 in gross stakes when scoring an easy victory at 40-1 in Tuesday’s R200 000 Listed Highveld Sand Challenge.
The R70 000 2011 Emperors Palace Ready To Run graduate was described by his multiple champion breeders at the gallops as follows:
Typical Sadler’s Wells type, he moves well, and whilst more of a staying sort, he shows encouraging signs for a youngster that’s only just realised his job is a racehorse.
Trainer Leon Erasmus has done well with the mostly consistent son of Stage Call who has run 19 places and won up to 1450m on the turf.
Out on the handicap and facing the seasoned Uncle Tommy, who had drifted ominously in the betting in Tuesday’s mile contest, the grey Stavinsky came home strongly in the hands of Hennie Greyling at 40-1.
Stavinsky has often run on late in his races.
He beat The Royal Rumba and Olympic Bolt and won by 3,50 lengths in a time of 100,13 secs.
The Angelus comes home powerfully under Ryan Munger to beat Peep Show (JC Photos)
The gallant 3yo All The Bids tried hard again and secured a fourth cheque.
Uncle Tommy ran close to ten lengths downfield in a rare poor performance.
Stavinsky has run 57 times for 9 wins and 19 places with stakes of R784 025.
Bred by Summerhill Stud, he is out of the one-time winner Stravinsky mare, Katrinksy.
The move to a mile could open a whole new host of options for Stavinsky’s connections!
The fairer sex feature equivalent, the R150 000 Listed Queen Of The Sand,was won by the Dom Zaki trained Windrush mare The Angelus.
Registering her seventh win from 30 starts, she was confidently guided to victory by regular pilot Ryan Munger.
