Viva Asterix defies his starting odds by winning with authority under champion jockey Craig Zackey, whose season took off over the weekend as he had a treble on the Fairview poly on Friday, a double at Hollywodbets Durbanville on Saturday and a single win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
There was a notable win in the first race of the Spring Festival at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last Sunday by the Candice Bass-trained three-year-old first-timer gelding Viva Asterix, a full brother to his classy year older stablemate Viva’s Liberte.
The latter began his career at the corresponding meeting last year with a two length victory over 1250m under Craig Zackey at 18/10 odds and Viva Asterix’s commanding 1,75 length win saw history repeating itself, although the difference was he started unconsidered drifting out from 10/1 to 25/2, and he is also a gelding whereas Viva’s Liberte was still a colt for his debut.
African Wild Dog was expected to get off the mark at last in this race, having finished second in his last three starts and being well drawn over what seemed a suitable drop in trip having being caught and only just being outfought last time over 1400m.
The imposing Viva Asterix jumped from the widest draw of all in the twelve horse field, which could have explained his price.
Like his brother and mother he did take a keen hold early and Zackey did a fine job to slot him into a one wide position with cover just back of midpack.
Viva Asterix settled nicely as the race progressed and in the straight he built up momentum as he crept forward.
He was in full cry by the time he had fetched African Wild Dog in front by the 150m mark and it was race over as he swept to a 1,75 length victory.
Zackey only had to give him two left-handed taps to straighten him as he was nearing the front, as he was tending to hang inward towards the leader, as racehorses do.
Khaya Stables own the Lammerskraal-bred Viva’s Liberte, whose three-year-old season culminated in a fine fourth place finish in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and they also own Viva Asterix.
They purchased Viva’s Liberte for R2.1 million and Viva Asterix for R2.8 million.
They have not disappointed and in the long run they could recoup their costs. To date Viva’s Liberte has earned R891,912.
Viva’s Liberte won his first two starts, but had issues after his next start and was rested for about three months, making his comeback and first run as a gelding in early February.
Perhaps Viva Asterix’s gelding before his career started will see him reaching his full potential as a three-year-old.
His mother Viva Maria by Jet Master tended to take a keen hold but showed how big an engine she had by winning the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 from start to finish by four lengths.
Viva’s Liberte has also tended to take a bit of a hold, but after his fine July run he is an exciting prospect for this season.
If his brother Viva Asterix follows suit it will see Viva Maria’s foals being highly sort after. According to the NHA breeding website her latest foal, born in 2025, is a Gimmethegreenlight.
