The Stehen Moffatt-trained Rouge Allure is the last progeny of Kahal still in training in South Africa and on Tuesday in her 100th career start at the Vaal she claimed her 14th win.
The only other progeny of the stalwart former Summerhill Stud stallion still in training is the seven-year-old mare Dunzie and amazingly enough she won her last start in Mauritius on June 25.
However, most extraordinary is that Rouge Allure, who is eight years old, earned her first ever bold black type only on March 19 this year.
She gave her four-year-old stable companion Opera Glass 1kg and a length beating in the Listed Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m, carrying 53kg off a 90 merit rating.
Moffat said chief owner Albert Rapp initially said he would retire her after her 100th run.
However, Moffatt said if Rapp did not get a good enough price for her as a broodmare she might carry on racing.
She also has a Grade 3 runner up spot to her name, which occurred in the WSB Club Prive Acacia Handicap over 1600m, also in March this year.
Moffatt pointed out she was superbly bred too, being out of a Pivotal mare.
He added, “She is like iron, she has never had a problem and has always been as sound as a bell. She is like a three-year-old in the mornings, you would never think she is a rising nine-year-old.”
The Summerhill-bred mare is also still part-owned by Micky Goss’s Summerhill Stud Syndicate.
She has been in the Moffat yard since being purchased by Rapp as a yearling and Stephen broke her in.
She initially showed a lot of early speed and was an effective front-runner or handy horse over 1200m to 1400m trips.
However, she now stays middle distances and can come from off the pace.
Stephen said, “She is a bit sluggish out the gates these days. She never used to pull when she was younger, she just liked to be up there. She now sits back and can come from anywhere.”
The key to her win yesterday was she broke well.
It was like the old days as she was sitting in the box seat in third place, although this time it was over 1800m and she was carrying 62.5kg off a 94 merit rating.
She travelled comfortably under Gavin Lerena and in the long Vaal straight the blinkered mare continued to relax as she followed the pacemakers.
She then responded well to his urgings when switched in for a run at the 500m mark.
She held off the progressive Kind Judy, to whom she gave 10kg, and won by 0,40 lengths.
Lerena was obviously aware of the occasion and waved his whip in celebration as they crossed the line.
It was a fine training feat by the experienced Moffatt and time will tell if she is seen at the races again.
Picture: Rouge Allure winning at the Vaal yesterday (JC Photos).
