Newsmaker! Astro News powers home under Kevin Shea to win the Gr3 Cup Trial
The R250 000 Gr3 Cup Trial produced yet another stakes winner for Maine Chance stallion Silvano as his son Astro News put his hand up for Vodacom Durban July inclusion with a resounding victory. Trainer Charles Laird appears to have found the winning recipe with the gallant 4yo gelding.
Owned by Fred Crabbia, Astro News has done the rounds of trainers since making a winning debut at Turffontein in December 2010.
His obvious unrealised talent has been a frustration for punters and his connections, and his 2011 Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes win bobs like a lonely soul in a sea of in and out performances.
The master Charles Laird has changed all that in a matter of months though and Astro News won his second race on the trot here with a convincing win, that may possibly sneak him through the July back door. He is unsurprisingly not in the big race top 30 published on 4 June
The race was run at a true pace as Viva Maria kept them honest and galloped powerfully all the way around the bend and into the straight chased by Territorial Waters, with a five length gap back to Bulsara.
As the challenges came Viva Maria fell away and Teritorial Waters moved ahead with Big City Angel finishing powerfully down the rail.
But none had any answers for Astro News,who scythed through the centre to run on strongly under Kevin Shea and beat Bulsara by one length in a time of 107,17 secs.
Territorial Water stayed on well for third, while Gavin Van Zyl’s talented Big City Angel (2,25 lengths) moved up, but appeared to lose concentration and petered out to fourth place. He has plenty of ability, and a set of blinkers may be what he is crying out for.
Stan Elley’s fancied Punta Arenas flattered briefly and dead heated for fourth with Big City Angel. Garth Puller, who is looking after him for Elley in KZN, suggested prior to the race that the Cape horses often need their second runs after travelling.
Both Knock On Wood (7,35 lengths) and General Sherman (5 lengths) were disappointing and would have done their July aspirations little good.
Astro News was bred by Oldlands Stud and sold for R200 000 on the National Yearling Sale.
He is by Silvano out of the seven time winning Dominion Royale mare, Orange Moon.
Astro News has now won 4 races with 15 places from his 31 starts.
He took his career earnings to R784 700.
He may not be everybody’s first choice as a likely July winner, but will surely offer good value if he makes the cut.
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Cup Trial (SAf-G3) (6/8) Clairwood, South Africa, June 8, R250.000, 1800m, turf, good, 1.47.17. 1-ASTRO NEWS (SAF), 57.5, ch g 4, Silvano (GER) – Orange Moon (SAF) by Dominion Royale (GB). Owner ALA Crabbia; breeder Oldlands Stud; trainer CS Laird; jockey K Shea (R156.250) 2-Bulsara (SAF), 57.5, b g 6, Silvano (GER) – Gay Regina (SAF) by Sportsworld (USA) 3-Territorial Waters (AUS), 52.0, b g 4, Fastnet Rock (AUS) – Miss Alabama (NZ) by Woodman (USA) Margins: 1, ¾, ½
