Despite a tardy start, the Dynasty gelding Wonderous Climber stormed home from off the gallop to register his maiden stakes success in the R150 000 Listed Aquanaut Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday.
A weak 5-1 favourite in the 2400m handicap that opened the first jackpot on Classic Day, Lyle Hewitson had Wonderous Climber relaxed at the rear of the field as Dromedaris led Tirzan and Earth Sky early on.
Lyle Hewitson has Wonderous Climber staying on bes to beat Odd Robb (Denis Schwarz) in an exciting finish to the 2400m contest (Pic – JC Photos)
Turning for home, Hewitson built the improving stayer to full momentum and despite the attentions of the accomplished 7yo longhauler Odd Rob, won rather convincingly by 0,20 lengths in a time of 152.22 secs.
Samurai Warrior stayed on for a well beaten third, 4,30 lengths off the winner.
The first leg of a Sean Tarry double on the big day, the R1 million Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy has won 6 races with 4 places from 19 starts for stakes of R423 700.
A son of perennial champion producer Dynasty (Fort Wood), the winner was bred by Highlands from their SA Broodmare of The Year Our Table Mountain, a six-time winning daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus.
This is a top-class family with versatile stakes performers like Cloth Of Cloud and Silver Mountain, amongst a host of serious winners.
It is early days, but Wonderous Climber can only strengthen from here and looks to be a potential Gold Cup candidate.
