SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE REAPS RICHES IN SA CLASSIC

Click above to watch Slumdogmillionaire winning the SA Classic…
(Image and Footage : Tellytrack)

SA CLASSIC (Grade 1)
Turffontein, Turf, 1800m
31 March 2012

JACK MILNER : An enterprising ride from Marthinus Mienie saw Slumdogmillionaire (SAF) (Strike Smartly) rise out of the gutter and into the record books with a dramatic victory in the R2-million SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.

In doing so, he handed the maturing Gavin van Zyl yard (Team G Racing) its fourth Grade 1 victory in less than a year. Van Zyl could not heap enough praise on Mienie for his ride - and on his son, Chesney van Zyl, who has been training the horse in Gauteng.

“It was a brilliant win and a brilliant ride. Marthinus judged it very well,” said Van Zyl after the son of Strike Smartly held off fast-finishing Pomodoro (SAF) (Jet Mater) by a head with Silver Flyer (SAF) (Silvano) another 0.65 lengths back in third. “Traditionally everybody wants to sit second, third or fourth but Marthinus was quite happy to take them on and go to the front.”

Drawn at No 11, Mienie wasted no time in getting the second favourite to the front while Piere Strydom had favourite Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) (More Than Ready) just a length behind him. Strydom had always expected Slumdogmillionaire to use his big stride and go to the front but Mienie said that was not necessarily going to be their tactic. “Nobody could decide who wanted to go so I said I would make up their minds for them,” said the jockey.

He travelled easily up front from Gimmethegreenlight with Potala Palace (SAF) (Singspiel) close up in third and E-Jet (SAF) (Jet Master), who would eventually claim fourth place, handily placed just off them. Meanwhile Pomodoro raced two off the fence in midfield, with Silver Flyer further back.

Once in the straight, Gimmethegreenlight immediately moved up to tackle the leader and even headed him for a stride or two. However, the combination of the tough Turffontein 1800m and the fact that the Cape raider was reported not to be striding out, took its toll on Gimmethegreenlight and, as he faded out of the picture, Slumdogmillionaire surged clear and looked all over a winner until Pomodoro and Silver Flyer came screaming home down the outside of the track. It had to go to a photo-finish and it was the Van Zyl runner who got the verdict.

Extract from Tab Online

COUNTDOWN TO THE CLASSICS

Gimmethegreenlight enjoying training on a Cape Town beach before departing for Gauteng
(Photo : Raheen Stud / Justin Snaith)

SA CLASSIC AND SA FILLIES CLASSIC
Turffontein, 31 March 2012

While the world’s attention is largely focussed on the Dubai World Cup and its associated events in Dubai this coming weekend, that meeting has a happy coincidence every year in Gauteng’s SA Classic (Gr.1) and SA Fillies Classic (Gr.1) (both at 1800m for three-year-olds), which share the billing with the H.F. Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Gr.1), a weight-for-age contest at 1600m.

The three-year-old colts have a “deep” look to them this year, with L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate ace Gimmethegreenlight and Investec Cape Derby hero, Jackson, rated among the best horses in the land. You can always rely on Hassan Adams for enterprise, and the R2 million prize for the Classic obviously had particular appeal in the knowledge that Jackson would not be making the journey to Johannesburg. For those readers who don’t know it, Cape trainers have generally had something of a complex about sending horses to Johannesburg, though it’s not for any lack of success among those who’ve attempted it on the odd occasion, even at the highest level.

KZN horses regularly raid the old Transvaal, and while altitude always has to be seen as a factor in these events, no less so in racing than rugby, all of these things are eminently “do-able”. Just a fortnight ago, the Blues upset the Bulls at their Loftus Versveld stronghold, and Gimmethegreenlight gave notice of his wellbeing in his first outing on the Rand, when he pummelled his field into submission almost three furlongs out. He’s not well drawn, and he faces some formidable opponents, but somehow he stands out like a sore thumb, and it’ll take a real horse to beat him. As a son of the Vinery “shuttler” More Than Ready, he shares his sire with the current favourite for Australia’s Golden Slipper (two Saturdays hence,) the world’s richest race for two-year-olds. The unbeaten filly is called Samaready, who trotted up by two Saturday in Randwick’s Riesling Stakes (Gr.2).

There’ll be more on these events and obviously, there’ll be plenty of coverage on the World Cup meeting in Dubai as the week advances, but for the time being, here are the Group One fields for the day. The World Cup dovetails neatly with the Classic programme, and bettors with an interest in both, have a day to remember.

SA CLASSIC (Grade 1)
Turffontein, Turf, 1800m
31 March 2012

FINAL FIELD

#	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)	58.0	117	16	P Strydom	Justin Snaith
2	SILVER FLYER	58.0	110	17	G Hatt	Mike de Kock
3	POTALA PALACE	58.0	105	9	G Lerena	Mike Azzie
4	WHITELINE FEVER	58.0	105	15	A Marcus	Sean Tarry
5	MUSHREQ (AUS)	58.0	103	8	R Fradd	Mike de Kock
6	GOLDEN CHATEU (AUS)	58.0	102	10	D David	Mike de Kock
7	POMODORO	58.0	102	5	W Marwing	Sean Tarry
8	BROOKS-CLUB	58.0	101	14	R Simons	Gavin van Zyl
9	SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE	58.0	100	13	M Mienie	Gavin van Zyl
10	HEAVY METAL	58.0	95	3	R Fourie	Sean Tarry
11	ROYAL RIDGE	58.0	95	2	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
12	WINTER MISCHIEF	58.0	95	4	K Latham	Herman Brown / Frank Robinson
13	BARACH	58.0	93	6	S Brown	Sean Tarry
14	E-JET	58.0	93	1	S Cormack	Sean Tarry
15	GOVERNOR GENERAL	58.0	92	18	T Appie	Mike de Kock
16	INDIAN HAWK	58.0	91	7	S Randolph	Ivan Moore
	Reserve Runners
17	ZAMBUCCA	58.0	90	12	Reserve 1	Saeed Mohideen
18	CARNABY STREET	58.0	89	11	Reserve 2	Spike Lerena

SA FILLIES CLASSIC (Grade 1)
Turffontein, Turf, 1800m
31 March 2012

FINAL FIELD

#	Horse	Kg	MR	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	AMANEE (AUS)	58.0	101	14	G Hatt	Mike de Kock
2	CONTROL FREAK	58.0	101	4	G Lerena	Lisa Harris
3	FELIX THE CAT	58.0	101	3	W Marwing	Duncan Howells
4	KATY’S LANE	58.0	99	6	P Strydom	Tyrone Zackey
5	GO INDIGO	58.0	98	7	S Brown	Leon Erasmus
6	ILHA BELA	58.0	97	11	A Marcus	Mike de Kock
7	BLUROUTE (AUS)	58.0	94	13	D David	Mike de Kock
8	TRESCO	58.0	91	1	S Cormack	Sean Tarry
9	AWESOME BEAUTY	58.0	90	5	R Simons	Kumaran Naidoo
10	AVENUE OF GOLD	58.0	89	10	R Fradd	Weiho Marwing
11	KALAMI	58.0	89	9	G Wrogemann	Robbie Sage
12	WINGED FOOT	58.0	85	8	A Delpech	Mike de Kock
13	BAMBINA STRIPES (ARG)	58.0	83	12	A Forbes	Dennis Drier
14	CLASSIC ILLUSION	58.0	80	2	R Fourie	Gary Alexander

PIERRE JOURDAN : THE SUMMERHILL BRAND

 Please click above to watch Pierre Jourdan : The Genuine Article
(Footage : Tellytrack)

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GARY ALEXANDER : PIERRE JOURDAN TO BE SPOT ON FOR SA DERBY

Pierre Jourdan - SA Classic (Gr1)
(Photo : JC Photographics / Summerhill Stud) 

R1,5 Million SA DERBY (Grade 1) 2450m
3rd Leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown
Turffontein, 24 April 2010 

Nicci Garner writes that it’s all systems go for Pierre Jourdan in his bid to become only the second horse in history to win the SASCOC SA Triple Crown after his facile victory as even-money favourite in the R2-million SA Classic at Turffontein last Saturday.

His excited trainer and part-owner Gary Alexander said Tuesday that the Summerhill-bred R60,000 yearling purchase had “pulled up lovely’’ after scoring arguably the toughest win of his career to date.

Gary Alexander was most impressed by Pierre Jourdan’s win. “The others didn’t make it easy for him. They tried to slow it down and make him work from the (No 13) draw. Although handily placed, he was caught out wide and had no cover, so had his work cut out for him from the 1400m onwards. But he came through it with flying colours.’’

It’s history now that Pierre Jourdan pulled his way to the front as the field cornered and kept rolling to hold off Irish Flame down the straight. Bulsara loomed up late for second, 1.75 lengths behind Alexander’s star and 0.50 lengths ahead of Irish Flame.

“It’s a fact that if you’ve got a really good horse, a quality individual, he’ll come through for you,’’ enthused Alexander.

Pierre Jourdan now has the R1.5-million SA Derby firmly in his sights. “We won’t do anything different with him in the next few weeks and he’ll be spot-on for the Derby,’’ said Alexander. “Let’s see if we can pull it off.’’

Gary Alexander does not believe the Derby will be a cakewalk for the son of Parade Leader. Alexander has won the race twice in his 36-year training career - with Silver Sliver in 2000 and Timber Trader in 2002 - and believes he has the right sort of individual to take the trophy again. “All I have to do is keep him fit and make sure he’s at a peak on the day.’’

However, he says Pierre Jourdan will face stiffer competition from some of the horses he has beaten before who are better suited to the 2450m than the 1600m of the Gauteng Guineas and 1800m of the SA Classic.

“But,’’ Alexander says, “Pierre Jourdan is bred to enjoy the trip on his great-dam’s side - and the way he finishes in his races indicates he is unlikely to be troubled by the 650m longer trip.”

“I’m also not too worried about the 2450m because he is a laid-back, relaxed horse who switches off and doesn’t fight or pull. And not many horses can turn it on like he does. He’s a lovely individual.’’

Pierre Jourdan has now won nearly R2.9 million for Alexander and Emilio Baisero, who will only consider his future after his big date on 24 April.

“We’ve had some interest in him, but might decide to take him to the Vodacom Durban July, or even go overseas with him,’’ said Alexander. “That’s a question for another day. We’re taking it one step at a time with this horse.’’

THE R60K CLUB

Pierre Jourdan - SA Classic (Gr1)
(Photo : JC Photographics / Summerhill Stud)

GO TO WWW.SUMMERHILL.CO.ZA AND CLICK ON SALES

Much has been made of the almost R3million harvest the owners of Pierre Jourdan are sitting on after only seven starts, and the fact he cost just R60,000 at the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale. Yet in the space of just one week, we’ve been reminded by their victories, of several other stars who graduated from these paddocks for even less money at the Ready To Run. 

At R42,000, Hear The Drums’ R1,8million haul, tells us there’s still gold in these seams, while Jay Peg’s vanquisher, Dynamite Mike, in the KZN Guineas two seasons back, made a mockery of his R45,000 knockdown.

Some you win, some you lose, and that was apparent from Gary Alexander’s remarks from the winner’s podium after the R2million SA Classic (Gr1) on Saturday. He reminded us of the value of athleticism in a racehorse, and that Pierre Jourdan’s sixty grand price tag was not an exception. Pierre Jourdan lines up next for the SASCOC Triple Crown, and those with memories will recall how close a previous 60K gamble came to winning a Triple Tiara. That year, Gary Alexander’s Icy Air was second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, and took out the SA Fillies Classic and then the SA Oaks. She followed up in the Woolavington and the Natal Oaks, on her way to a narrow loss in the J&B Met. Of course, she also nabbed two national titles for her exertions.

In case you’re wondering if there are any more of these pearls on the farm, go to www.summerhill.co.za and click on SALES.