Fresh off a feature success at Fairview on Friday, promising Sandile Mbhele rode a grandstand finish to win the R150 000 Listed Kenilworth Cup at a sun-drenched Kenilworth on Saturday on the 45-1 longshot, Mercurana.
The half-brother to Candice Bass-Robinson’s sensational 2017 Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco didn’t boast the greatest of form coming into Saturday’s 3200m feature. He was also in under sufferance off his 77 rating.
But he clearly stays all day and under a galloping weight assisted by a superbly judged finish, he scythed through a narrow gap down the centre and got the better of Snaith’s free running Swift Surprise (11-4) to win by a neck in a time 213,43 secs.
Anthony Andrews (pink cap) on Swift Surprise looks a winner as Sandile Mbhele sneaks up on Mercurana down the inside (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Strathdon (5-2) was always thereabouts and just failed to kick when it counted, finishing a half length back in third.
Peter Wrensch would have been thrilled with his soldier Troop The Colour (25-1), who took off late in his inimitable late dash style to grab fourth, a further half length back in fourth.
The game pacesetter Dynasty’s Blossom stopped late to finish just over two lengths off the winner.
Just under four lengths covered the field, with the mercurial past Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth finishing last under top weight.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Mercurana is a 4yo gelded son of Ideal World (Kingmambo) out of the twice winning Fort Wood mare, Fortuna.
A winner of 3 races with 2 places from 15 starts, Mercurana has banked R198 800.
He cost R300 000 on the National Yearling Sale.
