Heart Of A Lion stays on best to win well
Gavin Van Zyl’s Seul Amour gelding Heart Of A Lion played himself into contention for a serious tilt at the Gold Cup later this month, when he outstayed his rivals under a determined Muzi Yeni to win the R500 000 Gr2 Gold Vase run over 3000m at Greyville on July day.
With the thirteen horse field jumping in front of the stands, the race was to prove a crowd spectacle at the start and produced a fitting thrilling three-cornered finish.
And the victory proved that Heart Of A Lion has finally found his niche in the staying ranks with a long overdue first feature victory – after three places at this level over ground.
Yeni had preached the 28-10 Heart Of A Lion during the build-up week, but it was the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Solid Speed who had won three on the trot, who was sent out a 22-10 favourite.
After Jay Power had shown the way, S’manga Khumalo brought Crime Victim around his field in an aggressive move as they entered the home straight. But the son of Bezrin had nothing to come and faded as Wild Ash and Solid Speed dashed for the line, with Heart Of A Lion staying on stoutly.
In the final 100m, Yeni drove his mount hard (sitting slightly skew) as Solid Speed chased, with Wlld Ash also trying hard.
Heart Of A Lion was a deserved winner by 0,75 lengths in a time of 144,40 secs.
Geoff Woodruff;s Dylan Thomas filly Wild Ash rallied nicely to hold on for third.
The fancied Solid Speed was not disgraced, and their rematch sub-plot in the Gold Cup should be an interesting one.
Bred by Terry Andrews, Heart Of A Lion is a 4yo son of Seul Amour, out of the two-time winning Counter Action mare, Action Lady.
He took his earnings to R764 000 with his first feature victory and his fifth win (10 places) from his 24 starts.
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Gr2 Gold Vase (SAf-Gr2)
Greyville, South Africa, July 4, R500k, 3000m, turf, good, 3.14.04
1 – HEART OF A LION (SAF), 58.5, ch g 4, Seul Amour (NZ) – Action Lady (SAF) by Counter Action (SAF). Owner Messrs N M H J van Veen, H Adams, A C Dickerson, D J Fraser & L M Nestadt; Breeder TD Andrews; trainer G v Zyl; jockey M Yeni
2 – Wild Ash (AUS), 56.0, ch f 4, Dylan Thomas (IRE) – Wild Orchid (IRE) by Giant’s Causeway (USA)
3 – Solid Speed (SAF), 60.0, g 4, Dynasty (SAF) – Boston Tea Party (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
Margins: 0.75, 0.15, 1.75
