On an afternoon that marked the opening Gr1 contests of the 2021 SA Champions Season, and the inaugural Hong Kong World Pools in South Africa, Vaughan Marshall celebrated a plan come together when his Dynasty gelding Black Knap won a thriller to lift the trophy in the R150 000 Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup run over the Hollywoodbets Greyville 2400m.
With last year’s winner, and July entry, Marchingontogether failing to produce a challenge in his title defence, it was Sean Veale who showed his flair and talent with a peach of a ride on the improved again Listed Sledgehammer runner-up, Black Knap.
Gold Circle would have been pleased with the Pick 6 outstripping projections by over 10% at a shade beyond R5,5 million, while Tellytrack viewers were treated to a ‘blast from the past’ courtesy of the return to the commentary box of guest caller and Phumelela veteran Clyde Basel earlier in the day.
Sean Veale takes the honours on Black Knap as the obscured Matterhorn battles on gamely down his outside (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
But it was the Marshall gelding Black Knap who conjured up an early highlight as he produced the goods when it counted to hold off Alyson Wright’s Vodacom Durban July entry Matterhorn.
After Bayberry had faded out in the home run after setting the pace, Veale brought Black Knap (7-2) with a popular late effort down the middle to get the better of the amazingly consistent Matterhorn (5-2) to win by a head in a time of 150,50 secs.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Favour (12-1) finished well for third to hold out Snaith’s July entry Silver Host (8-1). The latter was only 3 lengths off and failed to kick on late, but will come on with this run under the belt.
The fourth of the Vodacom Durban July entries, Blackball finished a neck behind his stablemate Marchingontogether in ninth.
Watch the replay here
The winner, the 2020 Listed Settlers Trophy champion, suffered a muscle injury last winter and looks to now be fulfilling his smart early promise.
Bred and raced by staunch Marshall supporters Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster, Black Knap is a son of the deceased champion Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the Fosters’ Varsfontein-based one-time winning daughter of Western Winter, Wintersweet.
Black Knap is a half brother to his Cape Guineas winning stablemate Tap O’Noth (Captain Al), and the accomplished staying stakes winner, Strathdon (Silvano).
Black Knap has won 3 races with 5 places from 12 starts for stakes of R244 750.
