Impressive! Wylie Hall (Khumalo) gets the better of Whiteline Fever down the inside. (JC Photos)
The Turffontein night racing season kicked off on Tuesday night in explosive style. The SA Derby winner Wylie Hall threw his hat into the feature season ring, with a breathtaking win over a distance short of his best, while Ormond Ferraris’ consistent speed machine Sharp Design led his opposition a merry dance in the sprint topliner.
Nothing beats watching high quality horses with the added allure of night racing!
The return to action of some big guns saw a nice crowd at Turffontein, and they weren’t disappointed, even if the Pick 6 was very difficult to put together. It paid R198 098.40 to 6.87 lucky winners.
The R115 000 Pinnacle Stakes run over the standside 1400m saw a field of thirteen runners go to post. With the likes of the Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top, Hawaii Stakes winner Whiteline Fever and SA Derby winner Wylie Hall in the mix, the race promised plenty of action.
With Tiger Play dashing off to lead from Capricorn Ridge, Cherry On The Top was given a nice lead early.
In the dash for home Tiger Play continued to roll as Cherry On The Top moved up down the middle, with many challenges looming.
Whiteline Fever looked menacing as he slipped through down the inside with Cherry On The Top continuing with her effort.
Inside the final 200m S’manga Khumalo produced Wylie Hall with a burst through a tight gap and the son of Redoute’s Choice literally took off to win by 0,25 lengths in a time of 83,67 secs. S’manga Khumalo celebrated his second winner on the programme and pulled off a July style salute a metre past the winning post.
Whiteline Fever ran on well for second, with Cherry On The Top third.
Weiho Marwing’s Wylie Hall looks to have a terrific season ahead of him based on this effort.
On the flipside of the coin, Mike De Kock’s previously unbeaten Capricorn Ridge ran stone last.
Wylie Hall is a $205,000 Magic Millions purchase by Andy Williams Worldwide Bloodstock from the draft of Newhaven Park. Wylie Hall is a half-brother to Gr I winning sprinter Absolute Champion and is the seventh winner from Ideal Planet mare Beauty Belle, whose family features Group I winners Grand Armee, Drum, Anamato and Dealer Principal.
He has now won 4 races with 4 places from 9 starts for stakes of R1 300 625.
Knife Edge! Sharp Design powers home under Francois Herholdt (JC Photos)
The National Emblem gelding Sharp Design simply loves the Turffontein 1000m straight and he was given a great ride by a high riding Francois Herholdt in the R115 000 Pinnacle Stakes.
The Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap winner Sharp Design tracked the speedy Valberg for most of the journey, with Gold Site and Desert Sheik in contention.
Into the final 300m Sharp Design spread his wings and took over in impressive style.
He won by 1,75 lengths in a time of 56,88 secs. It was Francois Herholdt’s second winner on the evening.
With Valberg shortening his stride to a walk at the post, it was amazing that he held on for second, ahead of a flying Be Assured.
Sharp Design has now won 7 races with 5 places from 13 starts.
He took his earnings to R580 250.
Sharp Design was bred by the Highflyer Stud and is by the deceased Klawervlei stallion National Emblem, out of the Fine Edge mare, Sharp Ledge. The latter won 7 races over 1000m.
