Summerveld trainer Tony Rivalland and jockey Sean Veale enjoyed the honour of winning the first feature of the SA Champions Season when the consistent On That Boulevard romped home to win the R150 000 Listed In Full Flight Handicap at Greyville on Friday evening.
In the keenly contested Bipot opener, the Gauteng raider Mardi Gras failed to quicken after being outpaced early and was well beaten into fourth.
Sean Veale rode a quietly confident race in the Mary Liley silks and showing a terrific turn of foot, On That Boulevard burst clear at the 250m marker to beat the late finishing Ishnana by 2,50 lengths in a time of 64,18 secs.
On That Boulevard, a former Mayfair Speculators owned galloper, has won 5 races with 5 places from 14 starts for stakes of R432 575.
Bred by Klawervlei Stud, On That Boulevard was originally purchased by Charles Laird for R900 000 off the 2016 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale.
He is by Trippi (End Sweep) out of the well performed Street Cry mare, Hollywoodboulevard.
The Rivalland yard has been in good form and this victory was a commendable achievement given the lightly raced 4yo’s history.