Monks Hood too hot in Guineas
FUTURE: TRAINER GORDON RELUCTANT TO BRING GELDING BACK TO CONTEST SA CLASSIC
Emotional Azzies collect Hawaii Stakes trophy.
Monks Hood proved his Dingaans victory was no fluke as he took apart some strong opposition to win the R1-million Gauteng Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Trainer Alistair Gordon said prior to the race he felt the threeyear-old son of Querari had improved since his November victory in the Grade 2 Dingaans and his charge would also prefer the firmer going this time.
Anthony Delpech had Monks Hood handy from his good draw as Alssakhra set the pace and let his mount loose at the 400m mark. “We were travelling so well I thought I would let him go and see what happens.”
What happened was astounding. Monks Hood bounded clear and the race was over. At the line he was still 5.50 lengths clear of Surcharge, who ran on nicely for second, with Royal Crusade in third and Noble Secret fourth.
However, what this victory does mean is that we will not have a Triple Crown winner this year. “I don’t believe he will go 1800m,” said Gordon. “It’s up to the owner Mary Slack but I wouldn’t run him in the SA Classic next month.”
Delpech agreed, but not because he thought the horse will not stay. “I think it would be unfair to the horse to bring him up to Joburg again.”
Considering his Dingaans win and the fact he had a good draw, it was surprising to see him go off at odds of 13-2. Surcharge (4-1 second favourite), who had a wide draw and ended up racing threehorses wide for much of the journey, ran on well to touch off Royal Crusade (10-1) for second.
There were lots of smiles in the No 2 box as trainer Stuart Pettigrew has made no secret of the fact that he likes this colt for the R2-million SA Classic (Grade 1) over 1800m on 7 April. “Give me a draw and they can bring what they like,” he said after Surcharge’s previous win.
Jockey Piere Strydom is one who tends to play things down rather than get too many hopes up but he was delighted after the Guineas run. “Top performance. He should enjoy the Classic,” commented Strydom.
Third-placed Royal Crusade proved to be the best of the Mike de Kock quartet but jockey Anton Marcus indicated that he will be a far better proposition in the SA Classic and the SA Derby over 2400m.
No doubt the biggest disappointment came from favourite Majestic Mambo who went off at 33-10. He was always well back and ended up in 12th position, 13.25 lengths behind the winner. However, there were excuses.
Jockey Gunter Wrogemann reported he felt something amiss with son of Mambo In Seattle in running.
The veterinary surgeon was asked to examine the colt and he did find respiratory distress.
Possibly he did get caught out by the drop in distance and the wide draw in a big field but he is too good a horse for this run to be a true reflection of his ability and he will be back.
George Azzie trained Hawaii when he raced in South Africa and it was an emotional moment for Mike and Adam Azzie when Will Pays won the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m.
Mike Azzie pointed out that the trophy which is presented for this race was the original bought by American millionaire Charles Engelhard.
“He wanted a race in Hawaii’s honour and bought this trophy for the occasion.”
Engelhard was also the man who first bought Elevation, but when he died in 1971 the son of Highveld changed hands for a record sum at the time.
Talking about Will Pays, who always runs well for Craig Zackey, Azzie commented: “He is Adam’s horse. He does all the work and takes all the decisions. I just help him a little if I think the horse is being worked too hard or I see something wrong.”