Labelled a ‘proper horse’ early on by trainer Mike de Kock, the Shadwell Stud-bred Immediate Edge was given a superb ride by Ryan Munger to get the better of Gavin Lerena and Wild Intent in the R225 000 World Sports Betting Listed Hawwaam Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
Ryan Munger (blue cap on inside) rides a pearler to get Immediate Edge home ahead of Wild Intent (Gavin Lerena) in a thriller (Pic – JC Photos)
Formerly run as the Derby Trial, it is appropriate that Mike & Mat de Kock can celebrate an eyecatching victory by a still unbeaten 3yo in a race named in honour of their former champion multiple Grade 1 winning son of Silvano, Hawwaam, who now stands at Wilgerbosdrift.
Hawwaam celebrated his first winner, Ridgemont’s Read All About It, just five weeks ago. And that also happens to be trained by the De Kocks.
On winning his second start, the seasoned Mike de Kock was enthusiastic about Immediate Edge: “He’s a proper horse at home. We’ll take him through the divisions, and it’s important to keep him healthy. He’s an exciting horse with a good pedigree.”
On Saturday he lived up to the boss’ assessment and was given a perfect ride by Ryan Munger, who has been aboard at all three victories.
Relaxed in midfield, Immediate Edge moved up down the inside rail as Gavin Lerena got first run on the considerably more experienced Wild Intent.
At the line, a cracking ride – how Munger has matured in Canada – and the 3kgs in his favour counted, as Immediate Edge (7-10) lived up to his name to beat the Houdalakis challenger Wild Intent (6-1) by a nose in a time of 125,33 secs.
The third horse Diwali Rocket (25-1) was in another race, some 8,25 lengths away!
The blood is certainly all there! A son of Silvano’s good son Vercingetorix, Immediate Edge was bred by Shadwell Stud from the Commands mare Anhaar, who is a sister to multiple Gr 1 winner and sire, Soqrat, who was also trained by Mike de Kock.
The winner races for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs Mary Slack), Chris Haynes and Mike de Kock.
A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Immediate Edge is now unbeaten in three starts with stakes of R290 625, and the world looks to be his oyster.
