Replacement rider Marco van Rensburg took his opportunity with both hands when he rode a perfectly judged finish to get the Stan Ferreira-trained Bondiblu up in the dying strides to stave off two persistent challengers and win the R135 000 Allez France Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
Marco van Rensburg drives Bondiblu hard to get up for a narrow victory (Pic – JC Photos)
In a nerve wracking jackpot opener, the more fancied Bondiblu showed ample reserves of stamina when it was needed to get a short head victory over the lesser liked Seeking Gold, who pressed all the way to the wire.
After a tardy start, Bondiblu was relaxed some way back as Seal My Fate And Cranberry Crush showed the way in the 2400m non black-type feature.
In the run for home it was the uber consistent Patchit Up Baby who slipped through down the rail looking dangerous as Seeking Gold and Bondiblu made ground through the tiring runners.
At the 150m it could go either way but Van Rensburg – working so hard this term – extricated a little more out of Bondiblu to shade Seeking Gold, with Patchit Up Baby a head away in third. The winner’s time was 154,25 secs.
Witchcraft battled to get through late in the race but she stayed on for fourth, just over 2 lengths behind. She is one for the black book.
A R100 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Bondiblu was bred by Vanree Stud and is by Seul Amour (Zabeel) out of the five-time winner Blue Paradise (Jallad). Seul Amour stood his first season in Australia in 2007 and in SA from 2009.
The 5yo Bondiblu has now won 7 races with 13 places from 31 starts for stakes of R622 975.
