Tyrone Zackey’s Johnny Hero may well have forced his way into the 2021 Vodacom Durban July picture with a well taken victory in the R150 000 Gr3 Jubilee Handicap at Turffontein on Sunday.
The Varsfontein Stud bred son of Gimmethegreenlight carried just 52 kgs under Kabelo Matsunyane, and after being carried out late in running, he stayed on strongly to dispose of the talented Shango in a time of 109,20 secs.
Kabelo Matsunyane drives Johnnu Hero to victory – third placed Bingwa (Chase Maujean) shows up in the background (Pic – JC Photos)
Of the Vodacom Durban July entries contesting the preferential ticket race, there was mixed fortunes to report.
Shango conceded 4kgs to the winner and was beaten 0,75 lengths. He also endured a tardy start and was bumped in running.
Pack Leader was involved in the Shango bump and finished an uninspiring four length fourth.
Expressfromtheus was 12th on the second July log. Under topweight of 61,5kgs, he finished 6,35 lengths off the winner here.
Fanie Bronkhorst’s gallant mare Running Brave (10th on the second July log) finished down the field, some 26 lengths off the winner.
She was reported to have hung in and jockey Cheyne reported that his mount did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine her. This does not bode well for her, given the fact that the race is under four weeks away.
With the senior in-demand jockeys riding down in KZN, there were big opportunities for the less vaunted riders to show their skills.
Kabelo Matsunyane was one of them. His win on Johnny Hero was the second leg of a double on the day.
Matsunyane made his professional debut on 22 May 2018, finishing 4th on the Coenie de Beer-trained Trip To Paradise at the Vaal.
Interestingly, his first career winner was posted three years ago – almost to the day. It was Thursday 7 June 2018 when he celebrated the first win of his career at the Vaal on the Craig Mayhew-trained Heywot.
With Tyrone Zackey ill, his daughter and part-owner Nadine Backos did the post-race honours.
She was unable to confirm whether the 4yo gelding would make the trip to KZN for the big race. Her Dad came within a heartbeat of winning the July in 2012 when Smanjemanje was pipped by Pomodoro. That year Smanjemanje had only run third in the Jubilee behind Eton Square. Maybe Johnny Hero’s victory is an omen for a big day on 3 July!
Johnny Hero is by red-hot sire Gimmethegreenlight out of the Caesour mare, Koboshi.
He cost R130 000 on the National Yearling Sale and took his earnings to R438 325 with 6 wins and 8 places from his 21 starts.
For those wishing to follow the fortunes of Johnny Hero, Vodacom Durban July supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 15 June.
- Weights will be published on the same day.
- Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 21 June.
- The announcement of the final field of 18 plus 2 reserve runners, and their barrier draws, will take place on Tuesday 22 June.
