Justin Snaith crowned his second SA championship title with a superb Gr2 exacta at Greville on Saturday as the progressive Silvano filly Miyabi Gold shaded her year older stablemate Gimme Six in a thrilling finish to the R400 000 Gold Bracelet.
Lucky 13! Mark Khan and Miyabi Gold (Pic – Candiese Marnewick / Gold Circle)
After the highs of Vodacom Durban July day, the Snaith Racing Team were happy to break open the champagne on what was to be a superb end to a memorable year.
Mark Khan, riding with the enthusiasm of a man twenty years his junior, rode a peach of a race as Richard Fourie found himself a reluctant leader on Elusive Heart.
Khan made his moves at all the right moments and rode a cracker in what must be his first winner on Super Saturday in over a decade.
Miyabi Gold was the junior in the twelve-strong line-up and having only her sixth start, she showed great courage to deny her older stablemate Gimme Six a winning swansong.
In a thriller, Khan kept Miyabi Gold gunning to hold off Gimme Six by a nose in a time of 127,38 secs.
Gimme Six now heads to stud after an illustrious career.
Gold Cup reserve Epona found her better form to hold off the low-flying Meryl, with under a half length separating the quartet.
Miyabi Gold was bred by Daytona Stud.
Miyabi Gold stays on well to shade Gimme Six (Pic – Candiese Marnewick / Gold Circle)
A daughter of champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) she is out of the four-time winner Mkushi Gold (Western Winter) and is thus a half sister to 2015 Consolation July winner Ultimate Dollar (Jet Master) who ran in the familiar Jonsson silks, also out of the Snaith stable.
Miyabi Gold has won 3 races with 1 place from 6 starts and stakes of R420 000.
She could be a key player in the Snaith’s plans for their 2019 SA Champions Season attack.
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Gr2 Gold Bracelet (SAf-Gr2)
Greyville, South Africa, July 28, R400k, 2000m, turf, good, 2.07.38
1 – MIYABI GOLD (SAF), 57.0, b f 3, Silvano (GER) – Mkushi Gold (SAF) by Western Winter (USA). Owner Evanstan Investments (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr R D Hamilton) & Mr N Jonsson; Breeder Daytona Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey M Khan
2 – Gimme Six (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – District Six (IRE) by Mujadil (USA)
3 – Epona (SAF), 58.5, b f 4, Silvano (GER) – Laptop Lady (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
Margins: 0.05, 0.10, 0.25
