Grade 2 double for Tarry and Lerena
Despite Sean Tarry writing in ComputaForm that he felt the horse might need the run, Mardi Gras made a winning debut for the stable with a runaway victory in the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday.
This grey gelding, ridden by Gavin Lerena, paid R9.20 for a win and R2.40 for a place.
Second place went to Warrior’s Rest, another runner from the Tarry yard, ridden by Raymond Danielson. Van Halen ran third ahead of Cape visitor Ultra Magnus.
The pace was very fast up the centre of the track set by Ultra Magnus and Warrior’s Rest with Van Helen, Prince Of Kahal and Mardi Gras further back in the field.
Warrior’s Rest hit the front with 300m to run but Lerena had Mardi Gras in full flight down the outside of the track and he ran past the opposition to win going away by 2.25 lengths.
Tarry explained his prior concerns. “I didn’t really know the horse and he doesn’t show a lot at home. But he came from a good stable and arrived in good condition.''
This five-year-old son of Oratorio opened at 14-1 but shortened to 17-2 at the off. He has always shown loads of talent and he will pay to follow in future races.
Shango (36-1) ran on strongly to score an easy win in the Tab/Betting World Dingaans, completing a quick Grade 2 double for Lerena and Tarry, writes Ken Nicol.
Donderweer set a moderate gallop, followed by Eden Roc and the only filly Cockney Pride.
Heavily supported favourite Marshall (22-10) was only three or four lengths off the speed in the first half of the race, while Frosted Gold and Shango languished towards the rear and with about nine lengths to make up as they turned for home.
Cockney Pride kept on gamely all the way up the lane, but came under pressure from Frosted Gold as they passed the 200m mark.
Mike de Kock’s multiple Group winner looked to have timed it just right, but had no answer to the withering finishing burst unleashed by Shango wider out.
The Captain Of All colt roared on by with 100m to go, and a measure of his rapid acceleration is that he was a full 2.75 lengths clear when the line came.
“He smashed them today,” said Lerena immediately afterwards.
Frosted Gold stayed on for second a length ahead of a game Cockney Pride.
Marshall came under pressure a long way out, ending up beating only one home. “He pulled up pretty lame behind,” explained De Kock.
Eden Roc was also a disappointment, failing to find a finish from a favourable position.
Ronnie’s Candy saves her best for big race days, and motored home from near last to win the WSB Ipi Tombe Challenge.
After finishing second to Queen Supreme last time out the King Of Kings filly had to be taken very seriously here, and ended up paying a handsome R10.40 on TAB.
Breeder, owner and trainer St John Gray commented: “She’s a very smart filly, and after Queen Supreme’s fourth in the Summer Cup she had to be a big runner in this race.”