Van’s The Man! JP Van der Merwe had a great day, crowned by his win on Deputy Jud (Pic: JC Photos)
Trainer Mike Azzie produced a grand exit performance from the Vaal sand feature battle zone on Saturday, when an astute demonstration of patience and planning saw his Judpot gelding Deputy Jud finally produce a performance befitting of his boom reputation. The 4yo stormed clear into the last 300m of the R1 million Gr2 Supreme Cup to grab the honours in the last running of Africa’s richest race on sand.
Mike Azzie – super day
The Azzman, like many of our top conditioners, plots and plans his way around the scathing pen of the handicapper, and after Deputy Jud had impressed when shedding his maiden at the Vereeniging sand venue at his second outing, he was shrewdly kept clear of the troubled strip, with this Supreme Cup bid in mind.
Nobody could have anticipated the scrapping of the sand and the question must be – where to from here for Deputy Jud?
Sweet victory
But for now, premier Azzie patrons Adriaan and Rika Van Vuuren will be savouring one of their biggest victories – and a not to be scoffed at R625 000 in the bank!
The Van Vuurens on their Dubai trip to visit Pylon earlier this year
The school fees paid by Azzie with the subsequently Dubai-bound Pylon, who lined up off a MR of 119 and lumping 64,5kgs in the 2013 Emerald Cup, paid dividends.
Pylon was beaten into second, 0,75 lengths behind In A Rush. But there were no mistakes this time round as the top yard produced the grades, with Deputy Jud flashing home under a very competitive 54kgs.
After being placed in the Gr1 SA Classic and the Gr1 SA Derby, Deputy Jud was found wanting in races like the Daily News, the July and the Champions Cup, but on Saturday he really turned on the charm – like a horse prepped to the minute.
Jumping at 6 to 1, the rampant Van der Merwe had Deputy Jud in third after jumping well from his 4 draw, and was tracking Lavender Landscape and Ultimate Dollar as the fourteen turned for home.
With Lavender Landscape running freely, Ultimate Dollar looked to challenge at the 400m as Deputy Jud came into the centre to challenge.
With nothing much happening behind him, the son of Judpot put his ears back and charged for the line with his rider commencing a salute at the post, that was crowned by an ecstatic blown kiss, by the usually introverted JP.
JP van der Merwe – determination is the name of the game!
In the end, Deputy Jud won easily by 2,25 lengths in a time of 88,37 secs, to give the Van der Merwe and Azzie combo a terrific treble.
They also scored with Peep Show in the Listed Supreme Fillies & Mares Stakes and Mighty Manzi who bolted home at any price in the Bipot opener. Two of the three winners are owned by the Van Vuurens.
The Rest…
The golden oldie Uncle Tommy once again ran a cracker for his third placing in this event, when banking a second cheque after floating through powerfully late in the race down the inside rail.
Justin Snaith would also have felt satisfied with the effort of Ultimate Dollar, who showed good pace at his first Gauteng run, to stay on for third, three lengths behind Uncle Tommy. The July consolation winner is one to watch in the next few months.
The pre-race talking horse Toro Rosso, jumped well enough from his wide draw, but his exertions told late and he faded to run a 6,95 length fourth. Anthony Delpech did what he could under trying circumstances – he could be another for the notebook.
Sean Tarry’s Willow Magic, played up at the start. He moved up on the outside and looked dangerous, but also showed little spark when it counted to run 11 lengths downfield.
August Stakes winner Roman Carnival never featured from his 16 draw and ran well downfield.
Jud Our Bud
The newly gelded Deputy Jud has won 3 races with 5 places from his 11 starts and took his stakes earnings to R1 386 875.
The R450 000 National Yearling Sale buy was bred by the Varsfontein Stud-based Jaco and Carolyn Erasmus and is by Judpot out of the Deputy Governor mare, Star Deputy.
The dam won 3 of her 11 starts from 1800m to 2600m and produced Corne Spies’ ill-fated 2012 Gr1 Golden Horseshoe winner, War Horse (by Victory Moon)
While this win may prove a confidence booster, it will be interesting to see if Deputy Jud can reproduce similar match-winning performances on the turf.
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Gr2 Supreme Cup (SAf-Gr2)
Vaal, South Africa, September 26, R1 million, 1450m, sand, good, 1.28.37
1 – DEPUTY JUD (SAF), 54.0, ch g 4, Judpot (USA) – Star Deputy (NZ) by Deputy Governor (USA). Owner Mr A & Mrs F J Van Vuuren; Breeder J & Mrs Erasmus; trainer MG Azzie; jockey JP vd Merwe
2 – Uncle Tommy (SAF), 60.0, ch g 8, Kahal (GB) – Cousin Linda (SAF) by Badger Land (USA)
3 – Ultimate Dollar (SAF), 54.0, b g 4, Jet Master (SAF) – Mkushi Gold (SAF) by Western Winter (USA)
Margins: 2.25, 3.00, 1.70
