Trio break Grade 1 cover

Undercover Agent, Lyle Hewitson and part owner Greg Bortz all scored a maiden Grade 1 win – as the quality of this year’s threeyear-old crop was heavily underlined in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday.

Winning trainer Brett Crawford’s stalwart Captain America took up his customary front-running role but set a rather mundane gallop.

Stablemate Undercover Agent was up handy, as were 13-10 favourite Snowdance, Copper Force and the third Crawford runner, Sail South.

Nothing from off the pace made any real impression and only the order of the first four changed in the latter stages.

Copper Force quickly faded out of contention and Undercover Agent got his nose in front about 200m from home. Wider out, the filly Snowdance was starting to look a major threat, while Sail South was producing his usual game finishing effort.

In a driving finish, this Captain Al colt dug deep under an inspired Hewitson ride to prevail by 0.5 lengths over Snowdance who, while far from disgraced, had every chance.

Sail South was only a neck further back in third, while Captain America tired late to go down by just 1.50 lengths.

First and second, both threeyear-olds, can expect hefty hikes in their merit ratings for seeing off Sail South (123) and Captain America (124) on weight-for-age terms.

Ruling Vodacom July favourite African Night Sky could not have been more impressive as he came from stone last with 400m to go to win the Grade 3 Cup Trial under a hands and heels ride by Hong Kong-bound Grant van Niekerk.

With the race being run on handicap terms, African Night Sky was certain to get a weight penalty for the July if winning here. So, conspiracy theorists were having a field day when Van Niekerk still had the 11-10 favourite parked in the rear at the top of the straight.

But both horse and rider showed their class in no uncertain terms, carving their way through the field in effortless fashion. By the 200m pole it was obvious there was only going to be one winner.

Fellow Snaith July hopeful Platinum Prince was third and his big race prospects must be borderline.

Trainer Mike de Kock got off to a great start at the Greyville meeting, winning both early juvenile Listed races. In Race 1 Firdoas got the better of top-weight Mazari and take the Devon Air Stakes for fillies. In the Gatecrasher Stakes Barahin came from well off the pace to win easing up by more than three lengths.