Trainer Stef Miller and jockey Ryan Munger were in sizzling form at Flamingo Park on Monday with a hat-trick of winners, including a runaway feature win for the rather in-and- out Var gelding, Roquebrune.
Ryan Munger guides Roquebrune to an easy win (Pic – JC Photographics)
The 5yo started his career with Mike Azzie in Gauteng and looked a promising sort, but unsoundness has dogged his consistency.
His formline tells the story. He won his penultimate jump by 6,50 lengths, was reported not striding out when 11 lengths off Miss Aphrodite at his last start – and then pitched up in a galloping mood on Monday.
He was never headed and ran away from the R110 000 Kimberley 1400 field to win by 7,25 lengths in a time of 84,74 secs. Topweighted stablemate Red Special finished best of the balance in second.
Ryan Munger – good day at the office
The fancied Nicklaus, having his first run here for Corrie Lensley, never showed.
Roquebrune was originally purchased by the Van Vuuren’s Misty Meadows at the 2014 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale for R700 000.
He has won 6 races (3 in Kimberley) with 3 places from 20 starts for stakes of R376 475.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, he is by the evergreen Var (Forest Wildcat) out of Naledi (Western Winter), a winner at 3 over a mile and placed 9 times. She is a sister to the well-performed Nevvay.
Naledi was purchased with a Wyle Hall colt at foot by Anelle Wilmot for R42 000 off the 2017 Cape Mare Sale.
On a day of typically tricky results at the Kimberley dust bowl, Ryan Munger and Stef Miller reigned supreme. The combination’s win strike-rate is 20% and they could be a pair to watch closely.
The underrated Munger rode his first winner on 30 December 2012 at Clairwood. That was on Nordic Lass for Dennis Drier.
