Cape Breeders Ridgemont Highlands celebrated a notable feat at Turffontein on Saturday when the champion nursery’s progeny filled the first three places, headed by the Rafeef colt William Robertson, in the R400 000 Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (C&G).
Earmarked as the ‘horse of the sale’ by that astute judge Corne Spies, William Robertson is a son of Ridgemont Highlands’ newly-crowned Champion Freshman Sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice).
Ridgemont Highlands trio! Lyle Hewitson gets William Robertson up to beat Bard Of Avon (Aldo Domeyer) and Muzi Yeni on Team Gold (Pic – JC Photos)
After the fancied Bard Of Avon (11-10) had got the better of his duel with Team Gold (6-1) and looked to be in command, William Robertson swooped down the outside.
Into the final stages Aldo Domeyer got the smart Bard Of Avon to come right back at the Spies horse, but William Robertson held the edge to win by a nose in a time of 85,11 secs.
His victory was a superb training feat by the veteran travelling trainer, who freshened and readied his charge for battle just seven days after a terrific third behind Good Traveller in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes down in Durban.
Lyle Hewitson rode a cracker on a fellow he describes as a ‘big leggy, heavy and verstatile horse, ‘who just does enough’.
Trainer Corne Spies is clearly excited about the classic prospect, whom he conceded cost a ‘bit more’ than he usually spends.
William Robertson is out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts and cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale.
A winner of 2 of his 5 starts with 3 places, he has earned R327 000.
The BSA National 2yo Sale will be held in Johannesburg on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 August.
