The omens were there as an electric storm delayed proceedings at Turffontein on Sunday, with the Vermeulen family celebrating a courageous victory by their gallant 6yo Savannah Storm who held on doggedly to win the R175 000 Listed Wolf Power 1600.
Beautifully ridden by the Bryanston Auctioneers-sponsored Ryan Munger, the 2021 Listed Drum Star winning Savannah Storm has maintained a consistent form profile and was always in the firing line with the free-striding Vanderbilt making most of the running.
Bryanston Auctioneers-sponsored Ryan Munger is flanked by owner Jeannique Vermeulen and trainer Phillip Vermeulen (Pic – JC Photos)
Going into the final 200m, Raymond Danielson ranged up dangerously on Pyromaniac (10-1), but the talented Munger had kept something in reserve and Savannah Storm (8-1) produced a meritorious performance from his wide gate to win by a quarter length in time of 100,27 secs.
The pacemaking Vanderbilt (15-2) found extra to hold on for third, a further length back.
The tote favourite Paisley Park (3-1) never showed and finished over 11 lengths back.
The winner is trained by Phillip Vermeulen for his wife Jeannique.
The Riverworld-bred gelding is by the tough-as-teak Jet Master stallion Sudden Storm, who had a limited career at stud. The winner is out of the one-time winning Jallad mare, Slinky Jalinky and made it 5 wins with 4 places from 23 for stakes earnings of R406 000.
Phillip Vermeulen is on record in an earlier interview with the Sporting Post that he trains by the guiding principles of a fascinating book – Backyard Race Horse – written by trainer Janet Del Castillo with Lois Schwartz. The book describes how to condition horses naturally at home or off-track in one’s own environment. Without medication.
Earlier on the weather interrupted afternoon, the Silvano mare Flying First Class won the R150 000 non black-type Allez France Stakes for David Niewenhuizen and Avontuur-sponsored Calvin Habib.
The next Gauteng racemeeting is on the Vaal classic course on Thursday 2 February.
