Mike de Kock and Callan Murray got punters off to a happy start in the R1,57 million Turffontein Pick 6 on Saturday, when the Klawervlei-bred favourite Vaseem proved too strong for his five rivals in the R135 000 Gold Rush Sprint.
A son of Vercingetorix, Vaseem’s victory was full of merit as he was having his first start back from his Cape campaign where he ran third in the CTS 1200. He was also carried inwards late in the race by pacesetter Arapaho.
Vaseem (Callan Murray) charges away to beat Luke Ferraris and Arapaho (Pic – JC Photos)
Luke Ferraris had Arapaho out quickly after Illusion had to be snatched back at the start. Vaseem was confidently ridden by Murray a few lengths off and Ferraris appeared oblivious of the De Kock runner breathing down his neck at the 350m.
But when the SA Champion Apprentice straightened Arapaho (11-1), Vaseem (17-10) cruised past to win the non black-type feature by 1,25 lengths in a time of 64,10 secs.
Illusion (23-10) came on late to run third, a further 2,25 lengths back.
A R275 000 Cape Yearling Sale buy, Vaseem has won 2 races in the silks of Al Adiyaat (SA) Pty Ltd, with 3 places from 6 starts for stakes of R917 950.
He was bred by Klawervlei Stud from Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the twice-winning Giant’s Causeway mare, Giant’s Bounty.
