Anthony Delpech drives Punk Rocker up to beat Beckedorf (Sean Cormack) after a protracted duel
False starts and juvenile races have something of an unhappy recent history at Clairwood. Fortunately the Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes on Sunday didn’t see a repeat of the King’s Pact Stakes debacle of last year as two smart youngsters fought it out in the end, after the field was despatched for the second time.
The trouble started with Vaughan Marshall’s Man From Milan appearing to rear in his 1 stall as the gates opened on terms. Jockey MJ Byleveld managed to hang on to him and the starter pressed the false start siren.
The starter is probably damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t and there were no doubt a few trainers wishing that Marshall’s horse was left to his own devices rather than prejudice the other five runners with his antics.
The second time round the field was sent away on even terms and Sean Cormack had the placed maiden Beckedorf (who suffered interference on his debut second) out in front on an easy lead for much of the trip.
He was tracked by the fancied Punk Rocker, who was meeting Beckedorf on 2kgs worse terms than when he had beat him on debut.
The two came together at the 300m marker and went head to head. With Beckedorf always appearing to hold the advantage, Punk Rocker eventually got his measure and went on to win by a quarter length in a time of 65,91 secs.
First timer Nisa’s Machine was 3 lengths back in third after running green. The false start would have done him not good.
Winning jockey Anthony Delpech said that he was concerned that Sean Cormack(on Beckedorf) was dictating matters:
“I thought, hang on. Let me rather go and make him gallop and do some work. Sean was bluffing for a long way, but my horse got there nicely. They are both good young horses,” he said.
Trainer Gavin Van Zyl said that his son Gareth had been taking care of Punk Rocker
“I have been around the country preparing horses so Gareth deserves the credit here. Guy Murdoch purchased the horse for the late Mrs Oppenheimer. This is a smart horse. He was a bit wound up today, but it can be expected. We can look forward to some nice wins with him. He will enjoy the Scottsville 1200m. This horse has a big heart and it was a courageous win,” he said.
Punk Rocker was bred by Mike Jolly Breeding and is by Trippi out of the one time winning Candy Stripes mare, Rock Candy.
He was bought for R220 000 on the National Two Year Old Sale.
And what price Beckedorf next time in maiden company?
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Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes (SAf-Gr3) Clairwood, South Africa, April 6, R150k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.05.91 1‒PUNK ROCKER (SAF), 58.0, b c 2, Trippi (USA) – Rock Candy (ARG) by Candy Stripes (USA). Owner Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss J B Slack); breeder Mike Jolly Breeding; trainer G v Zyl; jockey A Delpech 2‒Beckedorf (SAF), 56.0, b g 2, A P Answer (USA) – Countess Kinsky by Kahal (GB) 3‒Nisa’s Machine (AUS), 56.0, br c 2, Hussonet (USA) – Get Around (AUS) by Xaar (GB) Margins: nk, 2¾, 1¼
