Gareth van Zyl and Warren Kennedy teamed up with the exciting Vercingetorix filly Vernichey, who powered clear to maintain her undefeated record in the R100 000 Post Health Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes at a sunny Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
Easy to back at 5-1 after her facile debut victory at the same venue in the very first race of 2020, Vernichey turned on the engines in the final 200m to score an authoritative win by 1,10 lengths in a time of 62,23 secs.
Warren Kennedy steers Vernichey to an easy win (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Gauteng visitor Slalom Queen (53-20), the only runner to have had a race since the lockdown, stayed on for second under a length in front of the previously unbeaten Kenilworth Nursery winner Delta Queen (9-10), who only tired late.
Vernichey was bred in a partnership between John Koster and the Birch family of Vogel Vlei Stud.
Colin Birch said that Gareth van Zyl liked her in the inspection phase but she went through the KZN Yearling Sale ring unsold.
“Gareth came to us and managed to put a partnership together to purchase her for R125 000. She was a lovely filly and she has clearly furnished beautifully. We are thrilled,” said the veteran Dordrecht breeder.
Vernichey is a second crop daughter of Silvano son Vercongetorix – an Equus Champion and Gr1 Jebel Hatta winner.
She is out of Captain Al’s three-time winning daughter, Pirate Queen – so hails from the Burst family.
She has now won both her starts for stakes of R125 000 and looks to have her sights on aim for the Allan Robertson Championship on 4 July!
