SA national log leading Turffontein trainer Paul Peter reinforced his championship aspirations with a feature double at Turffontein on Saturday.
After Master Archie won the Man O’War, Peter saddled MK’s Pride to a fairytale victory in the R1 million Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes.
While they come from different worlds, there are plenty of parallels between MK’s Pride’s owner Koos Nkale and Ashwin Reynolds, who races the well-beaten favourite Kommetdieding. Both come from humble beginnings and have become popular ambassadors for a sport struggling to reach a wider market and to transform.
Muzi Yeni has MK’s Pride in command as Keagan de Melo and Puerto Manzano try hard down the rail (Pic – JC Photos)
On the day, it was Koos Nkale’s MK’s Pride who benefitted from a perfectly judged ride from Muzi Yeni, who was partnering the son of Willow Magic for the first time.
And what a race to pick to win his first mile, and maiden Gr1, by the soldier MK’s Pride, who has now earned over R2 million.
Captain Lannister set the early pace ahead of Warrior’s Rest and Bingwa.
In the run for home, Muzi Yeni sent MK’s Pride forward. The chestnut ranged up alongside the gutsy Puerto Manzano, and appeared to catch Kommetdieding slightly flat-footed.
The move was the dealmaker and MK’s Pride (10-1) went on strongly to beat Puerto Manzano (40-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 96,92 secs.
Koos Nkale, Muzi Yeni and Kaiser Chiefs’ Jessica Motaung celebrate (Pic -JC Photos)
Kommetdieding (5-4) had every chance 2,25 lengths back in third.
The Summerhill Stud-bred colt is by Bush Hill stallion Willow Magic (Dubawi) out of the Admire Main mare Ikimasu, a winning half-sister to Gr2 K R A Guineas third Corredor, and his fourth dam Guadaloupe is a full-sister to the July winning champion Gondolier.
MK’S Pride is a winner of 9 races with 7 places from 20 starts.
His stakes earnings have rocketed to R2 019 600.
OFFICIAL RESULT:
TRAINER JOCKEY DISTANCE BETTING
1 ST 3 MK’S PRIDE P A Peter M Yeni —– 25/2
2 ND 9 PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) J J van Vuuren K de Melo 0,75 0,75 40/1
3 RD 1 KOMMETDIEDING H/M Crawford/Rix G Lerena 2,25 3,00 72/100
4 TH 7 ASTRIX P A Peter W Kennedy 2,00 5,00 40/1
5 TH 5 FLYING CARPET S G Tarry C Habib 0,25 5,25 33/1
TIME OF RACE: 96.92 s
Tote Favourite 1 AL MUTHANA (AUS) M F de Kock S Khumalo 3,00 72/100
