Stalwart Milnerton trainer Greg Ennion pulled a potential classic rabbit out of the hat in the R250 000 Magnum Gr3 Cape Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday. The Captain Al gelding Eighth Wonder put his hand up in style when clinching the 1400m feature from the widest draw under an inspired ride by Avontuur-sponsored MJ Byleveld.
MJ Byleveld steers Eighth Wonder to an emphatic win in the Gr3 Cape Classic (Pic: Wayne Marks)
The field of thirteen 3yo’s included many of the better Cape hopes around, and in the absence of the Tarry and De Kock artillery, we would be getting way ahead of ourselves in touting Ennion’s galloper as a Guineas prospect.
Greg Ennion – deserves to have another top horse
But the cold fact is that Eighth Wonder overcame the odds and stepped into the mini big time with a workmanlike performance by slamming a decent field – with only Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery winner Captain Chaos having any ‘genuine excuse, with his awful start, when missing the jump completely.
And let’s not forget that this race has been won by some outstanding youngsters over the years. Time will tell, as it always does!
Forward Drive carted them along at a decent gallop and led Hard Day’s Night with Eighth Wonder perfectly positioned in third.
The front two stuck to their guns into the 400m as Byleveld urged Eighth Wonder to get after them.
MJ Byleveld – nice double
The Ennion charge took off under a left-handed drive and came home full of running at his first start around the Kenilworth turn – disposing of the promising looking Tapit gelding Rodney by 2,25 lengths in a time of 84,83 secs.
Rodney made up many lengths in the straight and this looks a fellow to be with over 200m further.
Hard Day’s Night was given every chance by Donavan Mansour but was found wanting late, fading to finish third as Rodney sailed past.
Byleveld had a good day, closing a double when piloting Exelero to win the last.
Eighth Wonder has been a model of consistency and registered his second career win with 3 places from 6 starts.
He took his stake earnings to R233 525 and also benefitted from the Bloodstock SA Added Value bonus of R87 500.
The Moutonshoek-bred Eighth Wonder is a gelded son of Captain Al and is out of the Fort Wood mare, Great Wall, who was unplaced at her only start. She is a full sister to the well performed Monyela and Iron Curtain.
He was signed for by the Sports City Trust at R500 000 on the 2014 National Yearling Sale, and races in the interests of Messrs Van Huyssteen and Schoeman.
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Gr3 Cape Classic (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, October 24, R250k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.24.83
1 – EIGHTH WONDER (SAF), 56.0, b g 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Great Wall (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Messrs O Schoeman & A J van Huyssteen; Breeder Moutonshoek; trainer GW Ennion; jockey M Byleveld
2 – Rodney (SAF), 56.0, gr g 3, Tapit (USA) – Granny Leah (USA) by Orientate (USA)
3 – Hard Day’s Night (SAF), 58.0, b c 3, Warm White Night (SAF) – My Lady Bluff (SAF) by Indigo Magic (GB)
Margins: 2.25, 0.40, 1.25
