In a thrilling finish to the R150 000 Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, Sporting Post sponsored jockeys Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Tristan Godden provided the thrills, with the former clinching the lion’s share of the spoils on Gareth van Zyl’s longshot Ancient Epic.
With the Hollywood Syndicate-owned Sashay Away withdrawn after being injured at the start, the field was reduced to ten for the fillies and mares feature.
Tristan Godden rode a confident race, utilizing Sabatini’s natural speed to carve the fractions from the break in the 1000m contest.
Sporting Post jockeys Ant Mgudlwa and Tristen Godden go head to head with Ancient Epic (Mgudlwa, 5 saddlecloth) getting the verdict over Sabatini (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Into the home run Sabatini continued to lead, but the in-form Athandiwe Mgudlwa was making up ground on the year older Ancient Epic.
In a drive to the wire, the judge intervened to give Ancient Epic (33-1) the first place ahead of the gallant Sabatini (14-1) in a time of 58,93 secs.
The fancied Amarandi (9-2) was a half length back in third.
The favourite Time Fo Orchids had no late kick and finished downfield.
Ancient Epic is raced by the Palmer family and was bred by Riethuiskraal and is a 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the three-time winning Black Minnaloushe mare, The Black Rose.
Ancient Epic is a winner of 5 races with 5 places from 20 starts for stakes of R495 625.
Watch the replay:
