Vaughan Marshall and that man Richard Fourie kick off the Champions Season by winning the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m with Silver Operator. The five-year-old Klawervlei Stud-bred Silvano gelding runs in the colours of Ken and Jane Truter, who led him in and own him in partnership with RM Sewgoolam.

The front six quickened at the 800m leaving the rest of the field detached but Silver Operator was able to use his natural pace to bridge the divide before staying on strongly in the straight to deny Russian Rock, who was surging late, by a long-head. 

Pictures: Candiese Lenferna