Chesney van Zyl holds a deck of aces
CHESNEY van Zyl could well make a fairytale start to his career as a licensed trainer as the runners at his debut meeting, Turffontein’s Champions Day on Saturday, include the Grade 2 SA Nursery favourite Bold Eagle.
The Bold Silvano colt is unbeaten in three starts and Chesney said he had come on from his win in the Grade 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m when giving weight all around.
He said, “He is very, very well, he has taken all of his runs well and is improving and I am happy with the spacing of his races.”
He has a middle draw of eight in the 13 horse field and is the one to beat.
Warren Kennedy rode him on debut and replaces the recuperating Anthony Delpech.
Chesney has four runners in the Grade 2 SA Oaks over 2450m and a couple of them could be dark horses.
Pilgrim’s Progress
He admitted the Await The Dawn filly Pilgrim’s Progress had been a bit disappointing but pointed out she had always had to be carrying big weights against older winners and it had been tough to make up ground under those circumstances.
He said, “She will definitely stay the trip and her work at home has been very good and she is well within herself, so now that she is at level weights with her own age group hopefully she can turn the tables.”
Mar Del Seur
He also rated What A Winter filly Mar Del Seur a dark horse and said considering how fast she had gone in front last time in the SA Fillies Classic her ten length beating had not been bad.
He said, “Everytime I have sent her over further than 1 400m she has disappointed, but she has not been given the best of rides. With Grant van Niekerk now aboard she can hopefully be ridden with more patience, but it all depends on whether she stays.”
He was hoping African Dynasty could reproduce her excellent third in the Oaks Trial and hoped Azkhur, who has been a touch disappointing, could bounce back.
He is hoping for a good pace as three of his runners have to overcome wide draws, although Mar Del Sur’s chances of staying have been helped by a pole position draw.
Just Cruised In
Chesney was bullish about the chances of Just Cruised In in the Grade 3 Gold Bowl over 3200m where he is in the handicap carrying only 52,5kg.
He said, “He is very well and is carrying a light weight so I am hoping for another big run as he is enjoying the long trips and we are now seeing the best of him.” Chesney served his father very well as the caretaker of his Turffontein satellite yard for nine years and in that time not only delivered winners but winners at the highest level such as The Apache, Slumdogmillionaire, Seal, Along Came Polly, Bulsara, Prestic , Franny and others. Chesney said, “It feels the same really, but it is good to finally be going on my own and I hope it goes well.” He will continue to view his father as his mentor and said, ”He is always there for us, he has vast knowledge on his side and is a great horseman so I will always turn to him when needing help.”
Gavin said, “We wish Chesney every success in the future as he enters the training ranks in what could be described as the toughest of times, where only the tough will survive.”