The promising young apprentice Callan Murray and our seasoned feature trainer Geoff Woodruff teamed up to catch the handicapper’s attention in bold style at Turffontein on Saturday. The pair produced Deo Juvente to win the R400 000 Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes and in so doing, played himself into contention for a Sansui Summer Cup berth.
Callan Murray keeps Deo Juvente at his task (Pic: JC Photos)
Drakenstein stallion Trippi also produced the magic on Saturday, with a Gr2 feature double over 1200m and 1800m – 2000kms apart. The lightly raced Triptique won the Cape Merchants at Kenilworth, a half-hour after Deo Juvente had blitzed home at Turffontein.
Seventeen runners lined up for the traditional final Summer Cup ticket and in an open betting race, it was former July winner Heavy Metal, who floated at the top of the boards as a weak 4-1 favourite, with Anton Marcus taking over from the injured S’manga Khumalo.
The consistent MR 96 rated Deo Juvente was at 6-1, with As You Like out at 8-1.
On an afternoon described as his ‘ best racing day ever’, the 19 year old Callan Murray rode a hat-trick of winners – and sealed his first Gr2 win in what was to be extraordinarily simple style!
After a decent start, the filly Ahlaam carted them along and led the field for home, with Deo Juvente tracking her in fourth, and some three lengths off the pace.
Geoff Woodruff – pleased with the impressive win
With things seemingly in the melting pot at the 500m, there was a dramatic change in a few strides as Deo Juvente exploded between runners at the 400m.
All young Murray had to do was keep his mount balanced and his head down. The son of Trippi was obviously enjoying the 52kgs on his back and he streaked away to win by 2 lengths in a time of 109,90 secs.
Former KZN-based Easy Lover made up lengths down the outside to run a game second.
Both of the top two were not in the Summer Cup log top twenty prior to the race, but things will change – given their positive showings and other higher placed entrants running below par.
Callan Murray – hat trick of winners
Karl Zechner managed to get reserve runner Platinum Jet to hang in for third, with Ahlaam staying on doggedly for fourth – but a well beaten 5,30 lengths behind.
There were a few disappointing performances, most notably last year’s winner Judicial, who ran stone last.
Heavy Metal also failed to fire, finishing over 12 lengths back.
The upwardly mobile Deo Juvente is raced by Ingrid and Markus Jooste and was purchased for R500 000 at the 2013 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.
He was bred by Northfields Stud and is by Trippi out of the outstanding ten-time winning Complete Warrior mare, Circle Of Life – a top class Gr1 winning racemare, who won in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Deo Juvente took his win tally to 4 (3 of those over the Turffontein 1800m) from 11 starts, with 6 places – his stakes account climbed to R480 550, with plenty to come.
Final entries for the Summer Cup close at 11h00 on Monday, with declarations due by 11h00 the following day.
The draws and final field will be announced on Wednesday 18 November 2015.
It is going to be an interesting week!
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Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 14, R400k, 1800m, turf, good, 1.49.09
1 – DEO JUVENTE (SAF), 53.0, b g 4, Trippi (USA) – Circle Of Life (SAF) by Complete Warrior (ANY). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder Northfields Stud; trainer GV Woodruff; jockey C Murray
2 – Easy Lover (SAF), 56.0, ch c 4, Right Approach (GB) – Miss Gold Digger (SAF) by Rich Man’s Gold (USA)
3 – Platinum Jet (SAF), 53.0, g 5, Jet Master (SAF) – Veiled Mistress (SAF) by National Assembly (CAN)
Margins: 2.00, 1.30, 2.00
