SA log-leading jockey Warren Kennedy made it 6 wins from 7 rides on the talented grey Born To Perform, who finished like an express train to win the R150 000 Listed Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
The Winning Form-sponsored Kennedy made his move at the right time and despite being momentarily leant on by an opponent, his mount put his head down and made up five lengths as he rallied powerfully to hold off Tristful (5-1) in an exciting finish in a time of 96, 09 secs.
Warrren Kennedy and Born To Perform finish powerfully to hold off Tristful (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A nice showing, despite the fact he was only carrying 52kgs.
G G’s Dynasty (93-20) maintained his consistency in third a quarter length back, with Seattle Force (33-1), ridden with more restraint on Sunday, a head back in fourth.
Snaith raider Crown Towers dumped jockey S’manga Khumalo at the start and was declared a non-runner.
Born To Perform is a Highlands -bred son of Silvano and is out of 2008 July dead-heater Dancer’s Daughter.
He is thus bred in the purple and was originally bought for R500 000 at the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale. This turned out to be a shrewd pinhook and he appeared just months later on the CTS Empress Palace Select Yearling Sale and was bought by Mayfair Speculators for R800 000.
At the 2018 Greyville Super Sale, Mayfair Speculators dispersed a number of their horses and Born To Perform’s reputation for being difficult had preceded him – so there was little interest and the astute Dennis Bosch purchased him for just R55 000.
Today the rest is history, as they say.
Born To Perform has earned a gross R493 500 with 6 wins and 5 places from his 12 starts.
