In a timely win for his Cape Premier Yearling Sale alma mater, the progressive Vars Vicky registered his first career stakes success, and again underscored the strength of the current 3yo crop, when he made it five wins in eight starts to win the R250 000 Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Gary Player Stud-bred galloper cost R150 000 at the big Cape sale in 2019 and took his earnings to over R350 000 when he finished powerfully at 33-10 under Muzi Yeni to collar Bohica (13-2) by a head in a time of 65,28 secs.
Muzi Yeni has Vars Vicky flying to get up late (Pic – JC Photos)
Longshot Gallic Princess boosted the trifecta when staying on for third, almost three lengths adrift of the top duo.
Mike de Kock’s classic disappointment of the season so far, Mount Pleasant set the pace on the outside rail, and was tracked by Bohica, Singforafa, Gallic Princess and with Vars Vicky further back.
With Bohica shaping like a winner inside the 250m as Mount Pleasant fell away tamely, it was the rampant Yeni and Vars Vicky who came home full of running to win a good race – a kilo under sufferance to boot, in a thriller.
A son of perennial speed power producer Var (Forest Wildcat) for who he was the 53rd stakes winner, Vars Vicky, who races in the familiar silks of owner Vicky Veeramootoo, is out of the twice winning Captain Al daughter, Seminole.
He has won 5 of his 8 starts with 3 places and stakes of R358 125.
Jockey Denis Schwarz was taken for observation after being unseated from Golden Belle, who broke down just 50m from the line in a sad incident.
The Sporting Post is endeavouring to contact the Schwarz family for an update.
