Astro News
Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein last Saturday
The last couple of weeks have seen some dramatic ups-and-downs in the life of veteran trainer Ivan Moore, writes Matthew Lips.
The many times champion jockey of the former Rhodesia suffered a bitter blow when his Gr1 winning juvenile from last season Fighting Warrior had to be euthanized after being struck down with the dreaded equine affliction laminitis, but Astro News proved to be a more than capable stand-in for his late stable companion when he won the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein (standside) on Saturday.
Astro News finished third behind champion two-year-old Delago Deluxe in the Gr2 Nursery at Turffontein last April, but came into the Graham Beck without a win since he captured Gauteng’s first two-year-old race of last season back in December, when trained by Paul Matchett. He went off as a 15/1 outsider in a field of 14, with Straw Market starting as the 3/1 favourite from an opening call of 5/1 despite having to concede weight all round and starting for the first time since early July. Indian River was supported from an ante-post price off 11/2 to start as the 75/20 second favourite, with last season’s Gr 1 runner-up Beacon Flare going off at 13/2 over a distance which is probably short of what he requires.
Blazing Sunset was the first to show, but was soon taken on for the lead by Indian River and this pair ensured a good pace, with Mini Black and Astro News closest to them as Moonscape raced in fifth spot. Straw Market and Beacon Flare were well off the pace in the bunch as Indian River held a narrow lead turning for home. Indian River still in the mix coming to the last 300m, but Astro News was quickly coming forward down the far side and looked to be in control racing past the 200m pole. Indian River fell away in the closing stages and nothing could mount a serious challenge to Astro News, who kept going well under Corne Orffer to win by one length from Whiteline Fever. The latter showed plenty of promise in second and ran on very strongly over a distance which is probably too sharp for him. His only win came over 200m further and Sean Tarry’s Right Approach colt is one to follow in his future races beyond 1400m.
Brooks-Club appeared to have every chance before finishing a further 12.5 lengths away in third and simply didn’t look good enough for the two that beat him. Straw Market was staying on nicely to finish another three-quarters of a length adrift in fourth and is bound to come on from this srun. Ormond Ferraris’ colt was conceding 4 kgs to all of the first three finishers and he is no doubt being geared towards the Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m on November 26th. Straw Market beat no less than subsequent Gr 1 winner Potala Palace by 2.25 lengths at maiden level the only time he tried 1600m and will obviously enjoy going back up to that distance. Right Beauty ran on from a long way back to be beaten a total of four lengths into fifth and may also be en route to the Dingaans.
Astro News himself may be vulnerable beyond 1400m and finished only 11th behind Potala Palace at Gr 1 level the one time he tried 1600m, but he won this race nicely and in his jockey’s words, “he pulled me right through them at the 400m.” He quickened nicely off a strong pace, and didn’t look to be stopping at the finish. Astro News is a son of the excellent Silvano and is the second foal and first winner produced from Dominion Royale mare Orange Moon, who won seven races over 1300/1600m. He was bred by Barbara Sanne’s Oldlands Stud and was bought for R200 000 at the 2010 National Yearling Sale. He has won twice from a dozen starts and earned R295 350 for owner Fred Crabbia.
Graham Beck S. (SAf-G3) (11/5)
Turffontein, South Africa, November 5, R200.000, 1400m, turf, good, 1.24.24 (CR 1.21.41).
ASTRO NEWS (SAF), 54.0, ch g 3, Silvano (GER) – Orange Moon (SAF) by Dominion Royale (GB). Owner Mr A L A Crabbia; breeder Oldlands Stud (SAF); trainer I S Moore; jockey C Orffer (R125.000)
Whiteline Fever (SAF), 54.0, b c 3, Right Approach (GB) – Hockey Corner (SAF) by Sportsworld
Brooks-Club (SAF), 54.0, b c 3, Strike Smartly (CAN) – Lady Brooke (SAF) by Fort Wood
Margins: 1, 1¼, ¾
Also ran: Straw Market (SAF) 58.0, Right Beauty (SAF) 56.0, Indian River (SAF) 54.0, Beacon Flare (SAF) 54.0, Baracah (SAF) 54.0, Two Gun Kid (SAF) 54.0, Chill Factor (SAF) 56.0, Mini Black (SAF) 56.0, Blazing Sunset (SAF) 54.0, Moonscape (SAF) 54.0, Sidestep (SAF) 54.0
