The former Mike de Kock charge Barak broke his stakes duck at his second run in the Eastern Cape when galloping on powerfully to win the R150 000 Listed Port Elizabeth Gold Cup at Fairview on Friday.
It was a plan come together for the partnership of George Ragunan, Mike de Kock and Noelene Malherbe when the Alan Greeff-trained son of Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate delivered the goods at only his second start in the coastal city.
Eventual winner Barak (Greg Cheyne) passes the post for the first time (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
Back in the blinkers after a polytrack pipe-opener in June, the strapping 5yo gelding stalked pacesetter Master Supreme for much of the 3200m trip before being unleashed by local champion rider Greg Cheyne at the 350m.
Staying on powerfully, Barak (12-1) drew clear to beat the fast finishing Ancient Times (8-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 206,52 secs.
The runner-up’s stablemate Find Me Unafraid (7-1) cast a shoe in running and ran a decent race a length back in third, with the well-backed favourite Flower Of Saigon (6-10) a half length back in fourth. She was found to be in season.
A R360 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Barak has won 4 races with 13 places from 30 starts for stakes of R420 975.
Bred by Boland Stud , Barak is a son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the five-time winning Captain Al mare Bermuda Sloop.
Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Gavin Smith was the most successful conditioner on the afternoon of the day with four winners.
