Littlemissmillion seems almost dwarfed by her jockey Nirvan Nastili so small and slight is she, but she is athletic and will be an interesting one to follow. (JC Photos).
There is not much of the Tyrone Zackey-trained Littlemissmillion, who won impressively on debut over 1600m on the Vaal Classic track today (Thursday).
Tryrone Zackey revealed that after his daughter Nadine Backos had bought the Elusive Fort filly (for R50,000 on the BSA May online Sale) he saw this thin little filly and did not know how he was going to feed her, so he decided to start with lucerne and progress on to rider meal.
However, he said nothing developed and she just stayed the same.
She remains small and slight, but she is cleary very athletic.
Zackey lamented that she did not show much at home on the sand.
Nevertheless, she did receive some support because having opened at 33/1 she drifted out to 50/1 and then shortned to start at 20/1.
Nirvan Nastili had been asked to get her into the race by the trainer, but he wisely decided to leave her at the back of the small six horse field after she was sluggishly away.
She was green at the back but always tavelled quite well and in the straight when let go she impressed with her turn of foot.
She swept past the field to win the Maiden Juvenile Plate by 3,10 lengths.
She is out of the four time-winning Kahal mare Brigtnumberfive and was bred by Croft Stud.
However, Croft Stud sold Brigtnumberfive for just R8,000 in foal to the Real Gone Kid to JA Mayer at the BSA April Online auction in 2023.
Zackey was not getting ahead of himself and said it remained to be seen how strong the field was.
However, this filly has started off well and has a nice athletic look to her and has a nice big action.
She is from the family of Gr 1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj, who is in the seven horses looking in on the first Hollywoodbets Durban July log as he attempts to make the final field for the third time in succession.
Littlemissmillion started off her career over 1600m so looks likely to also get ground in time.
She is under the care of a fine horseman in Tyrone Zackey and will be an interesting horse for the purists to follow.
