King Pelles showed his usual fine turn of foot to win comfortably despite carrying joint topweight of 62,5kg (Picture: Race Coast)
Andrew Harrison
King Pelles fluffed his lines in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup but he was back in fine form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday. Shouldering top weight, S’manga Khumalo gave him a confident ride to win the UmThombothi Stakes but he was hard-pressed by pacemaker Go Grayson Go who was running up to his name.
Over a distance that is palpably short of his best, King Pelles was helped by Go Grayson Go, Frikkie Greyling’s colt setting a solid gallop and keeping all honest which will have helped the favourite.
King Pelles was in cruise mode at the top of the straight and had the measure of most of his rivals, but apprentice Dezahn Louw was extracting more out of his mount and Khumalo had to work a little harder than expected to get the favourite home.
Van Zyl was candid in his post-race interview saying that he expected King Pelles to win a little more comfortably that what he was forced to do. “He was fit enough to win but we did not want him to ‘empty’ out too much with this run.”
Barring a first timer ‘springer’ Green Energy was the best bet on the card and those that cashed in were well rewarded with Buffalo King Cody attracting most of the market attention.
Adam Azzie has obviously learned well from his father Mike, as the Gimmethegreenlight colt was turned out without a hair out of place and he arrived in similar fashion as the Gauteng raider tried hard. He was in contention for a few strides but once Serino Moodley put the hammer down, Green Energy pulled away to win in the manner of a horse that has a future.
Dennis Bosch has been around the block more than just a few times. He no longer chases the limelight, although if the right horse came along he would give Andrew Fortune a run for his money, but he is as shrewd as they come. First timer Durban Diamond landed a gable in the second as replacement rider Craig Zackey landed the gamble with the more exposed Japura chasing her home ahead of Mekong who was all at sea and one for the notebook.
Past Is Prologue is a filly that sits close to Gareth van Zyl’s heart. “It was a long journey with her and she has been lightly raced for a reason but she has been worth it. I got two take ways from Cape Town other than the experience …..she was two.”
A filly with a high knee action, we may not see her around a turn anytime soon but she is a good-looking daughter of Futura.
Keagan de Melo was booked off after an injury suffered at Turffontein on Saturday and he missed out on a possible treble with replacement riders filling in. Durban Diamond for Zackey, Calvin Habib on Sovereign Gem for Alyson Wright and Rachel Venniker for Garth Puller on Mohave Prince in the Progress Plate where Salani Kahle, after his recent victory was sent out favouite. But he didn’t make much impression from the back of the field as Royal Sword found himself in front and hard to catch in a small field but stable companion Mohave Princes made pressing progress to get home late ahead of Gotta Go Eddie with Royal Sword staying on for the minor money.
The Class 4 over 1750m was a competitive handicap but French Trip was given a smart ride by promising apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto. Sitting just off the pace and told not to break his mounts stride by seasoned Gr1 winning trainer Duncan Howells, he took the shortest way home with a clear run at the line and got home rather comfortably ahead of favourite Actor with Continentalexpress running on strongly and one to take note off when next he stretches to over 2400m and further.
