The R250 000 Gr3 Byerley Turk run at Greyville on Sunday gave an appetizer of things to come in the SA Champions Season, which commences next month.
Corne Orffer steers Undercover Agent to a smooth win (Pic – Candiese Marnewick/ Gold Circle)
It proved to be a good start for visiting Cape trainer Brett Crawford, who ran first and third.
Returning from a break of 10 weeks following his big money CTS 1600 win on Sun Met day, Undercover Agent was conservatively ridden by Corne Orffer, who had him loping along in second and tracking pacesetter, Ryker.
In the run for home, Undercover Agent lengthened his stride and slipped down the inside rail as local hope Sniper Shot tried to go with him.
At the 200m it was cheque in the bank for the Greg Bortz and Braam van Huyssteen partnership as Undercover Agent drew away to beat Sniper Shot by 2 lengths in a time of 82,27 secs.
The winner’s stablemate White River, who would have found this on the sharp side, came on late for third and 1,25 lengths further back.
A R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Undercover Agent is a winner of 4 races with 1 place from 8 starts and stakes of a bumper R4 041 875!
Bred by Moutonshoek, the winner is a 3 yo son of Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the twice winning Secret Risk (London News).
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Gr3 Byerley Turk (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, April 8, R250k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.22.27
1 – UNDERCOVER AGENT (SAF), 54.0, b c 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Secret Risk by London News (SAF). Owner Messrs Greg Bortz & A J van Huyssteen; Breeder Moutonshoek; trainer BJ Crawford; jockey C Orffer
2 – Sniper Shot (SAF), 54.0, ch g 3, Judpot (USA) – Seven Veils (SAF) by Rich Man’s Gold (USA)
3 – White River (SAF), 54.0, b c 3, Trippi (USA) – Irish Torrent (USA) by Giant’s Causeway (USA)
Margins: 2.00, 1.25, 0.10
