The Brett Crawford-trained Klawervlei Stud-bred colt Seeking The One (What A Winter) followed in the footsteps of his half-brother Seeking The Stars by winning yesterday’s The Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s old course. He runs in the same colours as the Vaughan Marshall-trained Seeking The Stars, the orange and blue colours of RM Sewgoolam. Luyolo Mxothwa was aboard for both horses’ RTR Stakes wins. It was the third time in succession Klawervlei Stud have bred the winner. They were successful last year with the Marshall-trained Fifty Fiver, a Vercingetorix colt out of Trippi mare Polar Trip. He was brought home by Anton Marcus.
Cape Racing
Seeking the One overcame draw 13, usually a very tricky gate over 1400m on the short run in.
Jockey Louis Mxothwa rode an exemplary race, jesting afterwards, “I learnt from Anton” – a reference to riding great Anton Marcus who was renowned for his ability to get horses over from bad draws and secure a stalking position. Mxothwa gave his mount the thumbs up – “Seeking the One settled beautifully and quickened up nicely.”
The son of What a Winter, who is now a winner of two of five starts, tracked leader Royal Aussie for much of the contest before launching his bid in deep stretch. Whilst they were duking it out, Piroshka was also surging home and the three thoroughbreds flashed towards the wire together.
Trainer Brett Crawford described Seeking the One’s effort as “a very gutsy win” – indeed it took bravery to repel challenges coming from both sides in a driving finish. The declared starting price was 20/1 as punters, already put off by the wide gate, perhaps also underestimated the amount of progress the lightly campaigned Seeking the One was making under Crawford’s canny handling.
Piroshka (by Quasillo) received loads of market support into 22/10 and was given every chance by Aldo Domeyer, positioned in midfield then finishing strongly, only to be pipped at the post.
Market rival, Royal Aussie (by Royal Mo) also emerged with credit. He had struggled with colic and a virus in the build up to the race so to only get narrowly beat by a neck was highly credible. He is one to watch as the summer season unfolds.
Fourth place fell to outsider 66/1 Johnny Dogs two lengths back – the visiting Klaasen trained longshot outrunning his odds, without troubling the principal players.
The elated connections of Seeking The One
Seeking The One is owned by Messrs P Barrett, J Chowles, R Kieswetter, G S Knowles & R M Sewgoolam & Mesdames G MacGregor & B A Moody
