Mark Khan’s new chapter begins in fine style (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Bush Hill Stud not only bred the winner of the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic on Saturday at Turffontein Standside i.e New Predator colt Purple Pitcher, but they also bred the winner of the fourth race, the Lance gelding Sea Shanty.
The latter maiden win was significant in that it was the former multiple champion jockey Mark Khan’s first runner as a licensed trainer and his first winner.
Ryan Munger was up and managed to extract a late charge down the outside rail to convert odds of 20/1 by 0,30 lengths.
Gold Circle converted the post race comments into text (see below):
RYAN MUNGER (jockey): “First runner (for Mark Khan) and it’s a winner. It’s a great start for Mr Khan’s training career. He’s dedicated a lot to this game and it’s nice that it’s started off like this. I’ll be the picture that goes on the wall riding Sea Shanty! I didn’t know a lot about this fella, but watched his replays which gave me an idea how to ride him. He was under pressure 600 out, but the last 100 he really turned it on well. It was a very good win from him.MARK KHAN (trainer): “It’s been a nice journey but a tough journey. It’s moments like this that just make everything seem so sweet. This horse will get further … he will run a 1400 or a mile, but I couldn’t put him to that test today as he’s been off the track for 6 or 7 weeks, and needed to give him a chance to get back into it. It’s a wonderful moment and I have just got to enjoy it!”