Sean Tarry’s Lucky Lad makes a bid for Equus Champion Sprinter honours when he jumps from draw 13 in the R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint on World Pool Gold Cup day, Sunday 28 July.
A son of Gimmethegreenlight, Lucky Lad was bred by Varsfontein Stud, who celebrate their Golden Jubilee this year.
Lucky Lad and Richard Fourie will team up for Sean Tarry in Race 6 (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In view of its timing and status, the weight-for-age 1200m Mercury Sprint is often a defining 72 odd seconds in the chase for Equus speed championship honours and was won by subsequent SA Sprint champion Isivunguvungu in 2023, when the Narrow Creek son of What A Winter gave the Hollywood Syndicate their inaugural Equus trophy.
In 2022, the Mercury Sprint was won by Suzette Viljoen’s Captain Al daughter Captain’s Ransom, who also went on to premier national speed honours.
The now retired to Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform and Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem winner Thunderstruck, who is set to stand his first season at Ridgemont, currently leads the Champion Sprinter category.
The son of Rafeef has accumulated 80 points, while Lucky Lad and the filly October Morn (not in action on the day) are in joint second with 52 points each. They won a Grade 1 each on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville sprint day in June.
While he doesn’t run on the Sunday finale, the Gr1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce is in fourth spot with 48 points.
After failing to stay the mile in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, Lucky Lad caught the eye with a prep victory in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein a fortnight ago.
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
MERCURY SPRINT (Grade 1)
Horses at Weight-For-Age
WFA: 2yrs-7.5kgs 3yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Golden Sickle | 57 | 122 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| 2 | 2 | Surjay | 60 | 119 | A | Luyolo Mxothwa | Brett Crawford | |
| 3 | 3 | I Am Giant | 60 | 118 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 4 | 4 | Royal Aussie | 60 | 124 | A | Keagan de Melo | Justin Snaith | |
| 5 | 5 | At My Command | 60 | 119 | A | Craig Zackey | Brett Crawford | |
| 6 | 6 | Snow Pilot | 59.5 | 120 | A | Grant van Niekerk | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 7 | Sun Blushed | 60 | 116 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Michael Roberts | |
| 8 | 8 | Just Be Lekker | 57 | 103 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Candice Dawson | |
| 9 | 9 | Quasiforsure | 60 | 115 | T A | Tristan Godden | Peter Muscutt | |
| 10 | 10 | Mrs Browning | 57.5 | 118 | A | Gavin Lerena | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 11 | Gladatorian | 60 | 120 | T A | Sean Veale | Stuart Ferrie | |
| 12 | 12 | Cruise Control | 60 | 118 | HA | Muzi Yeni | Duncan Howells | |
| 13 | 13 | Lucky Lad | 59.5 | 125 | TBA | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (2,3,5) (4,6) (10,13) | ||||||||
His wide gate won’t be an asset here, but Fourie is a master at beating the odds and the colt’s late dash style of racing could give the SA champion elect options out of the gates.
Lucky Lad is currently quoted at 11-10 with Hollywoodbets to win the Mercury Sprint. He could be a banker option in the projected R15 million Pick 6.
