Craig Zackey drives Littlemissmillion home as Trent Mayhew and Hazy Dazy stay on gallantly (Pic – JC Photos)
Sporting Post
While the Hazy Dazy SA Triple Tiara dream sadly lay in tatters as the shadows lengthened at Turffontein on Saturday, the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks produced another wonderful story as Nadine and Kevin Backos’ R50 000 BSA Online Sale purchase Littlemissmillion powered home.
Trained by Nadine’s Dad Tyrone Zackey and ridden by the bang in-form Craig Zackey who enjoyed a dual Gr1 winning dream day, Littlemissmillion (3-1) broke the heart of the gallant Hazy Dazy (13-10) to beat the Corne Spies star by 2 lengths in a time of 158,22 secs, after grabbing first run on the daughter of Act Of War.
Craig Zackey drives Littlemissmillion home as Trent Mayhew and Hazy Dazy stay on gallantly (Pic – JC Photos)
Apprentice Trent Mayhew did little wrong on the runner-up, but Littlemissmillion showed her appreciation for the ground after decent efforts in the first two legs of the Triple Tiara.
In an age of big-ticket dominance, both of the first two fillies home are relative ‘cheapies’- Nadine and Kevin Backos having forked out R50 000 on the BSA Online platform for the Croft Stud & Helene Taylor bred daughter of SA Derby winner, Elusive Fort. Hazy Dazy cost just R38 000.
A delighted Nadine Backos, who was celebrating her 234th winner since taking out her colours in 2000, was over the moon, but was sad for the Hazy Dazy camp, who had suffered the disappointment of falling at the final SA Triple Tiara hurdle.
“There are such conflicting emotions. We were screaming with joy, but I felt for the runner-up. That’s racing. We all get our turn. Today was ours.”
Proud owner Nadine Backos holds the trophy for her 234th – and biggest – winner, flanked by Wilgerbosdrift’s Mary Slack and trainer Tyrone Zackey (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Nadine has been a massive supporter of her Dad through some tough years.
“Dad lost one or two relatively big owners and we decided to restock his yard. There is not too much science in the purchases – just dreams and lots of love. Our top guy Smanjemanje was by Kahal (broodmare sire of Saturday’s winner) and I have always wanted an Elusive Fort baby. Dad loves training stayers so we bought Littlemissmillion from Neil Croft and Helen Taylor in Stilbaai. It was quite funny as we had to wait two weeks for her to arrive as we had to arrange special transport – there is no regular float in that part of the world!”
Nadine conveyed her congratulations and thanks to the Croft Stud team.
“She’s not big but she is beautiful and she has a turn of foot on her!”
