Jack Of Diamonds. Anthony Delpech and Jackodore sweep away to win the Gr2 Merchants
Sean Tarry sprung a surprise with the least fancied of the Toreador progeny when he produced Jackodore in fighting fettle after a six month rest to win the R450 000 Gr2 Merchants run at Turffontein on Saturday.
Jackodore was one of only two members of the fairer sex in this male dominated event and ran above herself coming out fresh. The other two Toreadors , Deliver The Power and Link Man, both flopped dismally.
Reverting to sprinting after a few races around the turn, Snowdon was out of the stalls like a scalded cat and the Western Winter gelding went on strongly early from Two Tone and the pacy Chocolicious, with Jackodore comfortable in fourth.
At the 400m marker the Australia-bound Chocolicious surged ahead down the middle as Coffee Sheik powered on down the outside and with many runners in with a chance.
But none of them stood a chance with Jackodore, who finished with a sustained burst to win going away.
Jackodore, who started at a generous 16-1, won by 1,50 lengths in a time of 65,65 secs.
Longshot Two Tone also stayed very well for third ahead of Wendy Whitehead’s gallant Coffee Sheik, who showed terrific pace down the outside for much of the race.
Summer Treble. Trainer Sean Tarry sent out three good winners
Snowdon looked dangerous late under a vigorous bouncing Brown, but was run out of Place Accumulator money and finished fourth.The exotic started gathering momentum after this result.
Disappointments included the enigmatic Link Man, who finished eighth and five lengths behind. The grey is guilty of the most varied in and out performances, yet always seems to attract betting support,
The usually consistent Deliver The Power, was friendless in the betting, despite going off favourite and ran a rare shocker to finish second last.
The lightning fast Alchemy-bred Jackodore is by Toreador out of the Shoe Danzig mare I’m Alright Jack.
She previously won the Gr3 Magnolia (won earlier by Franny) and was thus recording her second Group feature victory. She is a winner of 5 races with 6 places from 13 starts.
She has earned R669 100 and cost just R95 000 at sale. She was the second Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate to win a feature on the day.
This was the first leg of a Tarry Group feature double that became a treble when Baracah won a minor race late in the evening. This no doubt would have provided his wife Karen with a welcome added birthday celebration for Sunday.
Result:
Merchants (SAf-G2) (12/1)
Turffontein, South Africa, December 1, R450.000, 1160m, turf, good, 1.05.65
(CR 1.05.12).
JACKODORE (SAF), 54.5, b f 4, Toreador (IRE) – I’m Alright Jack (SAF) by
Shoe Danzig (USA). Owner CJH van Niekerk; breeder The Alchemy; trainer SG
Tarry; jockey A Delpech (281.250)
Two Tone (SAF), 55.0, b g 6, Strike Smartly (CAN) – Wild Almond (SAF) by
Fort Wood (USA)
Coffee Sheik (SAF), 55.5, b g 5, The Sheik (SAF) – Charlie (SAF) by Royal
Flo (SAF)
Margins: 1½, nose, ¾
