Amber Orchid stays on powerfully to win the Jacaranda Handicap (JC Photos)
Australian-bred Amber Orchid put the seal on a super Saturday for her sire Dubawi when running out an easy winner of the R250 000 Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday. The only three mares in a mixed aged field of fourteen interestingly filled the top three places.
With plenty of South African attention focussed on Meydan and Turffontein, Dubawi’s first strike came at Rosehill Gardens in Australia where his daughter Catkins won the Gr2 Emancipation Stakes.
After Amber Orchid had raised another Dubawi flag at Turffontein, the spotlight shifted to Meydan where his son Mubtaahij earned a ticket to the Kentucky Derby following a runaway eight-length win in the UAE Derby for Mike De Kock.
Then came the biggest fish of the lot when 8yo Prince Bishop stormed home to win the Gr1 Dubai World Cup in sensational style beating American challenger, California Chrome.
Jacaranda – Wide Open
In what was without a doubt the widest open race of the day, Gavin Van Zyl-trained topweight Vino Veritas was installed a weak 4-1 favourite in a field of fourteen varying strength females.
When S’manga Khumalo produced the 14-1 Amber Orchid at the 300m under a vigorous ride,it was tickets and tax as Fortitude chased vainly.
The 5yo Amber Orchid, who cast a left hind shoe in running, got the verdict by a widening 0,75 lengths in a time of 112,35 secs from Fortitude, with Erin enjoying the underfoot conditions and running on well into third.
Vino Veritas finished eighth and 4,50 lengths behind.
The Stipes reported:
Approaching the 350m VINO VERITAS (P Strydom) was switched in to continue its run. Thereafter, between the 250m and the 200m, VINO VERITAS (P Strydom) was carried out by SANTA CAROLINA (G van Niekerk), which shifted out away from the crop and when Jockey G van Niekerk (SANTA CAROLINA) changed his crop to his left hand side, he accidentally struck VINO VERITAS (P Strydom) on the head.
Jockey G van Niekerk signed an Admission of Guilt for a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that he, as the rider of SANTA CAROLINA, failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to VINO VERITAS (P Strydom) when he shifted out between the 250m and the 200m. He was suspended from riding in races for a period of 7 days
Smart Mare
Amber Orchid was registering her first stakes victory and boosted her paddock value substantially. She took her stats tally to 5 wins from 23 starts, with 7 places and stakes of R429 050.
S’manga Khumalo – riding the crest of a wave
By Dubawi (IRE) from Amber Shore, Amber Orchid was bred by Darley and offered at the 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where she was bought by James Bester Bloodstock for $20,000.
Amber Orchid is the best of five winners from Hennessy (USA) mare Amber Shore, a half-sister to stakes-winner Fabulous Friscoe from the family of Group I winner Al Shemali.
Amber Orchid was the last foal Amber Shore had in Australia before being exported to The Philippines.
She was subsequently purchased by Sean Tarry Racing for R500 000 at the 2011 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.
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Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 28, R250k, 1800m, turf, soft, 1.52.35
1 – AMBER ORCHID (AUS), 52.5, b m 5, Dubawi (IRE) – Amber Shore (AUS) by Hennessy (USA). Owner Messrs C J H van Niekerk, M J Jooste & H Adams; Breeder bred in Australia; trainer SG Tarry; jockey S Khumalo
2 – Fortitude (SAF), 52.0, b m 5, Stronghold (GB) – Mininski (SNL) by Ahonoora (GB)
3 – Erin (SAF), 57.0, ch m 5, Fort Wood (USA) – Beltel (SAF) by Bush Telegraph (SAF)
Margins: 0.75, 1.00, 0.25
