Forget Superman, Khan’s the real Hero
Secret Potion breaks hearts
I remember Mark Khan riding Elusive Fort to an emphatic victory in the Horse Chestnut Stakes years ago and race caller Clyde Basel saying: “and the message is simple, have respect for your elders!”
He was of course referring to the horse and not Khan. That famous line can apply to the now 49-yearold jockey who steered 55-1 outsider Hero’s Honour to a 1.50-length victory in Saturday’s R2 million S A Derby (Grade 1) over 2450m on the Turffontein Standside track.
“I picked this horse a long time ago,” admitted Khan. “I’m just very grateful, I’ve got a lot of good support. Gary had faith in me coming back, but I think there was reservations about my rehabilitation but I did my best,” he continued.
Injury forced Khan to retire in 2010. He came out of retirement last year only to suffer a knee injury that had him sidelined for six months. This was his first win since that last setback.
Hero’s Honour jumped out beautifully and was stationed smartly in sixth place behind early leaders Walter Smoothie, Gambado, The Rocketman and Cash Time
Cash Time looked most dangerous with 400m left to go, but Alexander’s charge burst into the lead at the 300m marker and stayed there under a masterful ride by Khan – paying R58.30 a win and R11.20 a place!
Surcharge, the 10-3 favourite, came from 11th place, making up tremendous ground over the last 200m to finish in second place.
Stuart Pettigrew’s charge has finished second in all three legs of the Triple Crown!
He was followed by Noble Secret and Cash Time ran his hooves off in fourth, rounding off the Quartet which paid R11 563.60. Interestingly, this was owner’s Lawrence and Jarryd Wernars’ first Grade 1 triumph.
Unfortunately the main attraction, Takingthepeace was denied the opportunity to become only the third filly in history to win the Triple Tiara.
Jockey Callan Murray did absolutely everything right aboard and the fact Takingthepeace finished fourth, only 2.75 lengths behind 9-1 Secret Potion in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks (Grade 2) over 2 450m is testament to her class and hunger to win – she isn’t bred to stay.
Perhaps the biggest upset of the day was Legal Eagle finishing eighth in the R4 million Premier’s Champions Challenge (Grade 1) over 2000m under S’manga Khumalo – beaten 8.10 lengths by Coral Fever. Nother Russia also ran below par finishing fourth. Going forward follow second-placed Abashiri. He is back to best and was only 0.25 lengths behind the winner.