Picture: Garrix powers home in imoreessive style (Wayne Marks)
The Piet Steyn-trained Vercingetorix gelding Garrix looks to have an exciting future after impressing in his first run as a gelding at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday when winning the R350 000 Gr3 Variety Club Mile.
Garrix found a good position one out with cover in fourth place at the weather-delayed meeting and quickened well at the top of the straight when just being held together. He hit the the front and kept the challenges of Let It Be Said and Gallic Dream at bay to win by 1,50 lengths. He likely still needed it and has plenty of substance so should be an exciting prospect for the KZN Champions Season features. Billy Bowlegs finished a 3,25 length fourth and should be followed because he made a hash of the start and was tailed off last at one stage. The stalwart Rascallion had his first run since finishing a 1,20 length fifth in the WSB Met and he carried topweight to a 5,25 length fifth.
Garrix had shortened in the betting to 14/10.
Bred by Jagessar Limited, Garrix is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the unraced well-related US bred Smart Strike mare, Makiwara.
Originally a R475 000 National 2yo Sale purchase, Garrix was acquired after running a 20-1 second on his Hollywoodbets Durbanville debut back in September by a power partnership of Mukund Gujadhur, Rikesh Sewgoolam and Laurence and Jarryd Wernars.
Garrix was recording his maiden stakes success on Monday and is now a winner of 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts for stakes of R587 802.
He is Vercingetorix’s 53rd stakes winner.
Ashton Arries said after the race, “With the light weight, I had to diet a bit for him. When I moved up in the straight, the horse in front of me moved out, so I moved out with him. Once I used my stick he shifted in, so I switched my stick and he shifted out again. He was still very green in the straight. I don’t think we know how good he is yet, as he’s still immature. It was a good run from him.”
Assistant trainer Elbert Steyn said, “It was a lovely win. A nice ride from Aston. He is still green and quite a big and soft baby, but we can’t complain about that. It was a nice win. I think the owners have a lovely horse here and look forward to his future. He’s much better since he has been gelded, although I won’t say that he’s 100% settled yet. He’s heading in the right direction and it showed today. “
Jonathan Bloch represented the owners and said, “It was bitter sweet, bitter because our horse ran 2nd, but incredibly sweet to represent Laurence and Jaryd Werners, Mukund and Rakesh … they put so much into this game and if one is going to get beaten by anyone, it’s a pleasure and privilege to be beaten by them. Lovely to see them have winners in the Western Cape. It’s great that they have horses here and am fortunate that I’m in partnership with them in other horses … so please God, the friendships continue, the growth continues and we continue to have lots of fun together. He is a lovely horse and think we were beaten by a good horse today, but we’ll come back to fight another day. Congratulations to Justin Vermaak who bought it for the team … a lovely horse.”
Garrix is now a 20/1 chance for a win and 4.2/1 for the first five in the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting.
