The Judpots are flying and the Varsfontein stallion produced his most recent eyecatcher when the Alec Laird-trained Maleficent turned on the charm and the jets to outstrip her nine rivals with a smooth win in Saturday’s R135 000 Listed Devon Air Stakes.
Maleficent and Weichong Marwing are lengths clear
Maleficent was coming in fresh off a runaway maiden success at the Vaal a fortnight earlier but attracted plenty of attention to start 5-2 in an open looking race.
With Brandon Lerena seemingly in a bit of a hurry and treating the 1400m feature like a 600m scurry, taking the lightning fast Call Me Winter up to lead in a flash from her wide draw, Weichong Marwing had Maleficent comfortable in third, posted just a length off the good-looking Querari Falcon.
Into the straight it came as little surprise to see Call Me Winter go out the back door as Maleficent also appeared to come under pressure with the ever-present Querari Falcon looking dangerous.
With the daughter of Querari pinching a length, Maleficent had it all to do, but she clicked what it was all about in three strides and came home powerfully as a very green Querari Falcon hung inwards onto her.
Alec Laird – had Maleficent in fine fettle
Marwing knew what he had under him though and straightened Maleficent out to draw clear and win by 3,25 lengths in a time of 83,27 secs.
It was to be the first leg of a feature double for Marwing, who was seen at his brilliant best on Cup Trial winner Exit Here, two races later.
Querari Falcon looks promising and stayed on two lengths in front of a late finishing Final Judgement, who just edged out Star Burst Galaxy.
Maleficent was bred by Shirluck Stud and is another progressive daughter of Varsfontein stallion Judpot.
She is out of the speedy two-time winning Kabool mare Kite Runner, which makes her a full sister to Vodacom Durban July candidate and SA Derby heartstopper, Rocketball.
She has won twice after beaten into second on an odds-on debut over 1200m at the Vaal, where she showed oodles of pace.
She took her earnings to R158 625, which amount excludes the BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus of R77 500.
