While one odds-on Australian-bred let the side down, it was left to another to pick up the pieces. Magic Albert’s big chestnut son Suyoof’s victory in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes had class act written all over it and he now ranks as a top starter for the Gauteng Guineas.
Suyoof (Anthony Delpech in blue & white) stays on to beat Champagne Haze on the outside and Le Clos (Pic – JC Photos)
This was a decent bunch of 3yo’s and Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained New Predator looked to have earned his boardtopping status, courtesy of his hairbreadth defeat in the Dingaans, by subsequent Cape Guineas hero Noah From Goa.
The thirteen horse field also included two Ready To Run Cup winners as well as the progressive KZN challenger, Celtic Captain.
But it was to be the magic Mike de Kock machine that would produce the goods again – this time with Magic Albert’s son Suyoof, who registered a hot hat-trick and made it 3 wins from 4 starts when bounding home down the inside to get the better of the smart Champagne Haze.
Matthew Thackeray had Le Clos out front dictating a soft pace, with Suyoof and Champagne Haze parked just off of midfield.
Le Clos led them for home and the son of Jay Peg continued to gallop strongly as New Predator came forward to challenge.
In a matter of strides New Predator floated into the lead and looked a massive runner, as Champagne Haze and Suyoof launched their challenges simultaneously, with Celtic Captain in the mix.
Anthony Delpech – rates Suyoof and rode a great race from a wide draw
Suyoof, who gave his rivals between 3,5kg and 8kg when he won the Listed Secretariat Stakes last December in the hands of replacement rider Sherman Brown, will appreciate the mile and should be even more effective over the Guineas trip.
Jockey Anthony Delpech said that he was worried about the 10 draw.
“But I missed the break slightly and landed up in a beautiful position. He is a courageous horse and looks to have a bright future,” he suggested.
Trainer Mike de Kock watched the race from Dubai and said: “Suyoof is a very progressive horse and he will do well over 1600m too,” comments echoed by assistant trainer John Buckler who saddled the gelding for the stable.
CTS Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup winner Champagne Haze moved up menacingly and stayed on well for second – he thus put the questions about his prep run well behind him and this was more his kind of effort. He should be spot on for the Guineas – and is another who should be more comfortable over the mile.
Michael Azzie – good effort by Le Clos
Mike Azzie’s Le Clos deserves a shoutout! He made the pace and while breaking no records, the son of Jay Peg just refused to lie down. He frankly looked dead and buried inside the final 200m, but rallied well and his 0,55 length third was a top effort.
As for the post-mortems, odds-on fancy New Predator appeared to have every chance, but simply ran out of juice when asked for an effort.
He managed to hang on for fourth, but if we were paying his keep, we would feel decidedly disappointed at this effort.
He will warrant another chance.
The Snaiths and Piere Strydom tumbled momentarily from their Met day high with Lineker, who ran a disappointing ninth and 6,60 lengths behind.
The son of Star Witness was never in the hunt and appeared to have nowhere to go early in the straight. He remains an unreliable sort.
Suyoof took his win tally to 3 with 1 place from his 4 starts and his stakes earnings progressed to R320 125.
Suyoof, bred by Yarraman Park Stud Pty Ltd, NSW, set a new record for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale session 2 when knocked down for $150 000. His sire, the outstanding sprinter miler Magic Albert topped the sire averages in session 2 of the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with five yearlings offered and all sold at an average $232,000.
The son of Zeditave is sire of the winners of over $20 million in prizemoney including Gr1 winners Ilovethiscity, Albert The Fat, Magic Cape and Fighting Warrior – the latter won in South Africa.
The winner is out of the twice-winning Danehill Dancer mare, Magic Harmony.
The presentation of the trophy was presided over by Joan Ruffel, who made history when becoming the first female Steward when elected to the board of the Newmarket Turf Club.
The race honoured her late husband Tony, one of the great old school racing administrators of years gone by.
He was a former Steward, Chairman of the Transvaal Owners and Trainers Association, as well as a Chairman of the National Federation of Owners and Trainers(NATFED).He was appointed Chairman of the then Jockey Club of SA in 1981.
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Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, February 6, R250k, 1450m, turf, good, 1.28.47
1 – SUYOOF (AUS), 58.0, ch g 3, Magic Albert (AUS) – Magic Harmony (AUS) by Danehill Dancer (IRE). Owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum; Breeder bred in Australia; trainer MF de Kock; jockey A Delpech
2 – Champagne Haze (SAF), 60.0, b c 3, Kahal (GB) – Vin Fizz (SAF) by Qui Danzig (USA)
3 – Le Clos (SAF), 58.0, b g 3, Jay Peg (SAF) – Miss Olympic (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
Margins: 0.50, 0.05, 3.00
