Cruising! Via Africa is geared down by Alec Forbes to win easily
The brilliant Var filly Via Africa confirmed her star status with a smooth seasonal debut win at Clairwood on Sunday. It took her only 56.18 secs to demolish her six rivals in a scintillating show of speed to win a rather modest R94 000 Conditions Plate run over 1000m.
Recently crowned KZN Champion Sprinter and Champion 3yo Female for the 2012/13 season, Via Africa showed again what an exciting talent she is. Rated at 120 and standing out head and shoulders above the small crowd, there was no evidence of ring rustiness either, after not having seen action since her sensational win in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on 25 May.
Regular jockey Alec Forbes had Via Africa out smartly and she showed her usual pace as Cotswold led early.
Via Africa drifted to the outside and at the 400m she took command to win gearing down.
The 1 to 5 favourite hardly raised a sweat and waltzed in to score by an official margin of 5,25 lengths. All rather academic, really !
Via Africa was bred by part owner Andre Hauptfleisch and as already noted, is by Avontuur’s super sire Var out of the thrice winning Qui Danzig mare, Bump ‘N Grind.
Via Africa has now won 7 races for 3 places(all seconds!) from 10 starts.
She took her career stake earnings to R1 116 700.
While an overseas campaign is apparently on ice for now, we will follow this super filly’s future with keen interest.
With What A Winter retired to stud, Via Africa may no doubt return to Cape Town to set the record straight in the Cape Flying Championship early in 2014. But there is plenty else for her.
