Opportunities for youngsters to prove themselves
GOLD Circle have instituted a series of three Non-Black Type feature races over 1200m, 1400m and 1600m respectively for both three-year-old males and fillies in the off season in order to promote the youngsters and give them a chance to prove themselves.
The first such race was run at Scottsville on Sunday, the R150,000 KZN 3YO Series 1200, and in a blanket finish thriller was won by the Michael Roberts-trained Mambo In Seattle first-timer filly Seatops, who was bred by Wicklow Stud and is owned by Dr Nick Labuschagne.
The win was the second leg of a fine treble for Keagan de Melo on the day, which included a double for the Roberts yard.
Seatops was one of three first-timers in the contest and these maidens received 2kg from the winners.
Other penalties pertain to stakes race winners but there were none of the latter in the field.
Anime
The Dennis Drier-trained Count Dubois filly Anime started 17/20 favourite and from a number three draw was taken to the front by Sean Veale and she was able to move over on to the strip near the far side rail.
She was in front until the last stride, but Seatops then managed to stick her nose in front.
Seatops, jumping from a draw of showed good cruising length off the lead.
She then responded well to De Melo’s urgings and showed her resolve when emerging from some bumping in the closing stages un-phased. She won by a head.
Just Vogue
Just Vogue was a short-head behind Anime in third and also showed good resolve.
She was up with the leading line early and looked likely to be swamped but instead fought on resolutely.
She was also not phased by the bumping. Accidental Tourist jumped from a high draw, which is unfavourable by trends, although currently such draws have a better chance than they have had in recent seasons. She did well to stay on for a quarter-of-a-length fourth.
The unlucky horse was Vine Street Star who was squeezed out when Anime shifted outward in the closing stages.
She was in contention but had to be snatched up. She finished sixth meaning she was unable to object as the rules state only a horse placed in the first five may object (although the rules do allow for disqualification of a horse which interferes with any other horse in the field).
Dr. Labuschagne bought Seatops R70,000 at the National Yearling Sale.
He was recently the deserved recipient of the coveted Anita Akal award at the KZN Racing Awards and it left him speechless.
Dr. Labuschagne, besides being a long time stalwart owner, has done a lot for racing in administrative roles and was a former chairman of the Durban Turf Club.
He played rugby for England between 1952 and 1954 and also played for Natal.
He is the grandfather of current Springbok Pat Lambie.
He was also president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and did a lot to revive the economy of the city.
The Labuschagne Family
The Labuschagne family are also renowned for their care of the underprivileged.
Dr Nick’s father, Paul, a medical doctor who specialised in tropical medicine, helped eradicate tuberculosis and malaria in the immigrant community who had come over from the Indian subcontinent; he delivered babies; built homes and schools for workers and constructed gardens with his own hands.
He has a statue in his honour in Tongaat, where he worked after a long tenure in Nigeria treating lepers.
The next leg of the KZN 3yo fillies series is on October 2 over 1400m at Scottsville and the last leg is on the Greyville turf over 1600m on November 27.
The KZN 3yo colts and gelding series starts on September 25 with a 1200m race at Scottsville. The second leg over 1400m is at Scottsville on October 16 and the last leg is on the Greyville turf over 1600m on November 6.