While he had his trainer choking on his cappuccino during the week, and has been languishing amongst the rest of the low-key entries on the outer rungs of the 2022 Betway Summer Cup log for some time, the Sean Tarry-trained Litigation put his hand up for Highveld flagship honours in style with a big victory in the R250 000 Tab4racing Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes at Turffontein on Sunday.
Former multiple national champion trainer Sean Tarry, celebrating his first Victory Moon Stakes success since 2013 when Raymond Danielson booted Tiger’s Retreat home, had five runners in the race and had a quiet side swipe at the latest Betway Summer Cup log issued last week.
Philasande Mxoli rides a cracker to get the longshot Litigation home (Pic – JC Photos)
But the man from Randjesfontein will be thoroughly pleased with the improved performance of the 2022 Listed Derby Trial winner Litigation, who gave former Eastern Cape rural racing amateur, apprentice Philasande Mxoli his first graded stakes success when staying on doggedly at 20-1 to beat Mike de Kock’s The United States 3yo East Coast (14-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 111,75 secs.
Defending champion Sparkling Water (28-10) hit the front early and was clearly in need of it as she went up and down late to be beaten with honours, a further quarter length into third.
Corne Spies will have been pleased with the showing of William Robertson (10-1) who stayed on well for fourth.
Sean Tarry said that he was happy with Litigation’s cracking 1200m seasonal debut over 1200m, even though he had not shown much behind Bingwa in the Charity Mile.
Litigation runs in the same Wernars silks as the fifth race winner Moonshiningthrough.
“If you can’t beat them, join them,” he laughed after leading in the surprise winner.
A thrilled Philasande Mxoli said he had found ‘a lekker spot’ when nobody was committing and the young man rode a cool race on the handily weighted 4yo.
Watch the race replay here:
Bred by Avontuur, Litigation is a son of Durban July winner Greys Inn (Zabeel) out of the thrice winning Jet Master mare, Jeter.
Raced by Laurence and Jaryd Wernars, Harry Wilson and Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh, Litigation was sold privately during the covid-19 reshuffle of the 2020 National Yearling Sale in a transaction brokered by Justin Vermaak.
Litigation has now won 5 races with 5 places from 15 starts and stakes R601 250.
