It has been a long time between drinks for the Brett Crawford-trained 5yo Surjay, but the son of Vercingetorix rewarded his patient owner Suzette Viljoen with the R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint trophy to round off the season on World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
A delighted Louise Mxothwa steers Surjay to Gr1 Mercury Sprint success at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Fifth-place At My Command (Craig Zackey) chases on the inside (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Racing in the familiar blue and shocking pink silks, Surjay had not won in 624 days since beating Kommetdieding in the non black-type Banty Bay Stakes back in November 2022.
But he came through in style to register his maiden Grade 1 and give Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Louis Mxothwa his first Gr1 of what has been a long season.
A decision to skip the Post Merchants paid dividends for the hardknocking gelding, who clearly enjoys to run fresh and enjoyed a trouble-free passage from his 2 gate.
The same cannot be said for the 33-10 favourite and Equus Champion candidate Lucky Lad, who was last turning for home and got to within 0,70 lengths of the winner, who clocked 69,86 secs for the 1200m.
Lucky Lad lost no credit in defeat, after slogging away up the home straight.
Drill Hall Stakes star Royal Aussie (6-1), who also runs in the Viljoen silks, stayed on smartly for third, with Sun Blushed (33-1), who was snapping at Lucky Lad’s heels all the way home, boosting the quartet in fourth.
This was a second Mercury win for the Viljoens, who raced 2022 winner Captain’s Ransom, while Brett Crawford was celebrating his first trophy in the weight-for-age sprint.
Bred by the late Dr Jim Antrobus, the winner was a first Mercury Sprint for Vercingetorix (Silvano) and is out of the twice-winning Badger Land mare, Something Of Value.
Surjay took his stakes earnings to R1 505 475, with his fifth win from 26 starts, with 13 places on the board.
The Equus Champion Sprinter title looks to be tight, with retired star Thunderstruck holding the ascendancy on the points table.
