Anton Marcus booted his second consecutive odds-on feature winner home at Scottsville on Sunday when the Australian-bred Al Hawraa came on strongly to win the R120 000 King’s Pact Stakes.
Anton Marcus steers Al Hawraa to an encouraging win
The beautifully bred Al Hawraa returned to the scene of her debut win on 7 February and even though running over a trip short of her best, she made up many lengths after being outpaced early to win going away.
With three of the five runners maidens, the Mike de Kock yard must have felt confident of picking up the lion’s share of the non black-type feature.
With the Louis Goosen debutante Linda Honey showing good speed out front, Anton Marcus had Al Hawraa under a push from just past halfway.
With Diamond In The Sky coming forward down the inside to challenge for the lead at the 250m, Marcus showed Al Hawraa the crop and she responded like a good sort – even though the De Kock yard won’t be over-rating her until she has beaten something of note.
She held Diamond In The Sky to 1,50 lengths in a time of 57,85 secs.
Recent debut winner Diamond In The Sky showed plenty of toe and stayed on well for second, ahead of debutante Linda Honey. The latter ran a very decent race to stay on for third and she should crack her maiden shortly.
Al Hawraa was bred by Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd and is a daughter of Darley stallion New Approach out of the Aussie winner, Ijaaza, who is by Redoute’s Choice.
Al Hawraa remains unbeaten in two starts and took her earnings to R125 000.
