Here He Comes! S’manga Khumalo wins the Pinnacle Stakes on a rampant Here Comes Billy (JC Photos)
The Muhtafal gelding Here Comes Billy probably threw his hat into the Emerald Cup ring with a smart performance at Turffontein today. Weiho Marwing’s 4yo now goes into the Gr3 August Stakes in a fortnight hence.
The Emerald Cup, Africa’s richest race on sand, is to be run at the end of September and will be the focus of attention in the next six weeks.
While the winner of the turf Pinnacle Stakes run over 1160m has never run on sand previously, his trainer’s post race comments today may be worth noting.
Weiho Marwing said that Here Comes Billy was a better sand horse than a turf horse, and that he would run in the traditional prep, the August Stakes.
A small field of seven went to post and Snowdon was weighted to win and started at a prohibitive odds on.
The race was run at a solid gallop and at the 300m marker the favourite looked dangerous as Sherman Brown moved up down the outside.
S’Manga Khumalo
But Here Comes Billy was bluffing the whole lot and he turned on the power late as Khumalo switched him to win a good race.
Here Comes Billy ran on well to hold Snowdon at bay and win by 2,25 lengths in a time of 67,63 secs.
De Var Hyt ran a modest third.
Winning rider S’manga Khumalo said that Here Comes Billy had proven him wrong as he had personally thought that would be better over further.
“Two horses led us and I just waited behind them. He relaxed well and quickened nicely, when asked” said a smiling Khumalo.
Here Comes Billy is by Muhtafal out of the unraced Jet Master mare, Fast Tempo.
He looks a vastly improved character from the fellow who went unplaced in the KZN Breeders and The Dingaans late last year.
He is a R120 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 purchase.
He took his earnings to R206 700 and his tally to 3 wins and 5 places from 10 starts
