Apart from the owners, no one will have enjoyed the win by Legend Of Arthur in the first race at Turffontein on Saturday more than owner Sandy Arundel who went to R5,25 million for the two year-old’s half-brother at the recent National Yearling Sale.
On another successful day for Sean Tarry, the former champion might provide punters with some cash ahead of the Hollywoodbets Durban July if he aims the son of Lancaster Bomber at the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe on the Hollywoodbets Greyville card.
Richard Fourie has Legend Of Arthur in control (Pic – JC Photos)
David Mollett writes that Richard Fourie had little more than a steering job on Legend Of Arthur who hit the wire nearly five lengths ahead of Panning Gold and the win will have delighted the colt’s owners – including one of racing’s most enthusiastic gentlemen Bruce Gardner – as he wasn’t a cheap buy at R925 000.
However, that is five times less than Sandy and Eugene Arundel forked out on the first day of the National Yearling. The couple, who run an IT business in Bedfordview, and have a house near Ballito – were obviously aware that the Trippi colt is a half-brother to SA Derby winner, Hero’s Honour.
Named Trip to Camelot, the colt has an impressive dam line as he’s out of the four-time winner, Grail Maiden, who is a daughter of the mighty, Galileo.
In an interview with Sporting Post after the National Two Year-Old Sale in 2021, Sandy Arundel explained that they were newcomers to the sport and were sending their three purchases at that sale to KZN trainer, Wendy Whitehead.
“We just clicked with Wendy from Day One. We didn’t want an arms-length kind of trainer who picked and chose when they took our calls. Like most owners, we’re looking for honesty, interest and somebody on the same page as us,” said Sandy.
“Straight-talking only hurts if you are sensitive. If my horse is slow, tell me. I won’t love them any less,” she added.
When it comes to bargain buys, they don’t come much better than Mrs Browning who cost R120 000 and made it six career wins in the Gr 2 TAB Camella Stakes.
What a shrewd purchase by the Wernars team – also successful with Proceed in the Protea Stakes – especially when one realises that the Wilgerbosdrift average at the Yearling Sales was a staggering R1 343 421.
It was a different story in the Camellia Stakes for stablemate Mrs Geriatrix who trailed in five lengths behind the winner. The daughter of Vercingetorix was reported to be ‘distressed’ after the Empress Club Stakes and that probably sums up the feelings of the Magical Lady Syndicate who were on such a high last season.
Safe Passage – disappointing again! (Pic – JC Photos)
Another horse who falls into the ‘distressing for punters’ category is five year-old, Safe Passage. Yes, he did fill the runner-up berth in the Betway Summer Cup, but one has to go back to May 2022 (Daily News) for his last win.
Several pundits were in the corner of Safe Passage in the Colorado King Stakes but – to the woe of Muzi Yeni, who can’t be enjoying Richard Fourie’s domination of racemeetings – it was a familiar story with Pure Predator boosting the Derby form with a Gr 2 win for trainer, Fanie Bronkhorst.
Safe Passage – backed in to 9-2 – came home in fifth place some four lengths behind the winner and will have to improve markedly if he’s to have a chance in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
While Robyn Klaasen was fairly bullish in an interview about the prospects of six year-old Second Base, the best days of this big stakes earner are surely behind him as he trailed in last.
Lucky Lad came from last to first in the Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes and his half-brother (by Erik The Red) made R675 000 at the National Yearling Sale and will race in the colours of Peter Moor.
