Just over a fortnight ago, trainer Phillip Vermeulen’s subsequent Listed Drum Star Handicap winner Savannah Storm was a modest 76 rated handicapper.
On Saturday the lightly raced 4yo takes on some big guns at weight-for-age in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.
Savannah Storm – takes his next step up the ladder on Saturday (Pic – JC Photos)
The best son of unheralded and now retired sire Sudden Storm, Savannah Storm won the Drum Star start to finish 13 kgs under sufferance at the weights. He starts as a 106 on Saturday.
1st R300000, 2nd R125000, 3rd R50000, 4th R25000
Gr1 H F OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES
Weight for Age
WFA: 2yrs-12.5kgs 3yrs-2.5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 9 | Got The Greenlight | 60 | 124 | T A | Muzi Yeni | Joe Soma | |
| 2 | 3 | Cirillo | 60 | 123 | BA | Lyle Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 3 | 7 | ExpressFromTheUS | 60 | 118 | A | Luke Ferraris | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 4 | 6 | Ikigai | 60 | 118 | A | Chase Maujean | Sean Tarry | |
| 5 | 4 | Chijmes | 60 | 114 | A | Ryan Munger | Gary Alexander | |
| 6 | 10 | Capoeira | 60 | 113 | BA | Warren Kennedy | Andre Nel | |
| 7 | 2 | Whorly Whorly | 60 | 111 | Piere Strydom | Clinton Binda | ||
| 8 | 1 | Tierra Del Fuego | 60 | 110 | A | Raymond Danielson | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 11 | Pack Leader | 60 | 109 | T A | S’manga Khumalo | Alec Laird | |
| 10 | 8 | Savannah Storm | 60 | 106 | A | Craig Zackey | Phillip Vermeulen | |
| 11 | 5 | Copper Mountain | 57.5 | 113 | AM | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren |
Trained by Phillip Vermeulen for his wife Jeannique, the stable flagbearer steps up for his next major test on Saturday, again under sufferance.
His conditioner says he is fit, well and ready for the challenge.
“With all due respect to our opposition in the Drum Star, Savannah Storm takes on stronger on Saturday and we will know more about his ability afterwards. But all we hope for is that wherever he finishes, he comes back safely,” said the quietly spoken trainer.
When pressed on why Craig Zackey, who won on the gelding at his penultimate start, replaces Marco van Rensburg on Saturday, Phillip explained that trainers with small strings faced an ongoing challenge securing the services of the top jockeys.
“I needed a lightweight last time as Craig (Zackey), who won on him at his post maiden outing, couldn’t do the weight. Marco did nothing wrong in the Drum Star. But the moment the entries came out, I had a call from Craig Zackey’s agent and, based on the fact that Stuart Pettigrew has Expressfromtheus, a horse who Marco has partnered regularly, in the race, I accepted Craig Zackey.”
Phillip said that it was common sense and economics that dictated that jockeys who had access to the bigger yards, received and rendered preference from and to those trainers.
