Royal Performance! Kingofmountain gallops clear under Marco Van Rensburg to win the Kimberley Classic
The established and very effective local duo of trainer Cliffie Miller and jockey Marco Van Rensburg grabbed the honours in Monday’s R100 000 Kimberley Classic run over a mile at Flamingo Park. The 3yo Kingofmountain is a promising sand performing son of the handsome Jet Master stallion, Ravishing.
Jet Master has left an awesome legacy to South African horseracing and there is plenty of value to be had in both his sons. While Ravishing stands in KZN, Royal Air Force is based at Sorrento Stud in Paarl in the Western Cape.
The non black type Kimberley Classic saw fourteen 3yo colts and fillies to post, and the former Zimbabwean gelding Newton Power was all the rage to open his South African account.
Muzi Yeni took the Visser’s Tobe Or Nottobe filly Sweet Latte up to lead from an outside draw, and she charged clear to lead from Kingofmountain and Abu Mashar with Newton Power nicely settled in fourth.
Into the straight Sweet Latte continued to gallop, but was quickly cut down by Kingofmountain who bounced away as Newton Power commenced his challenge down the centre.
The race was over as a contest in the final 200m as Kingofmountain asserted himself impressively to win easily and give the pairing an official double after African Gladiator had won the fifth race.
Ironically it was a daughter of Newton who came out to head Newton Power for third.
Abu Mashar belied her 100 to 1 price tage by staying on nicely ahead of Newton Power.
The Johan Janse Van Vuuren trained gelding will now be aimed at the KZN Breeders Million Mile at the end of June. This run should bring him on.
Magic Marco. Jockey Marco Van Rensburg enjoyed an armchair ride on Kingofmountain
But it was Kingofmountain’s moment in the sun and his biggest paydate yet.
Kingofmountain arrived in Kimberley from KZN a maiden only three months ago and won his first outing here.
With his stake earnings at R131 170, he has had a career total of 18 runs for 2 wins and 8 places.
His Kimberley sand record is a lot more impressive though. It stands at 7 runs for 2 wins and 3 places.
Kingofmountain was bred by Robert Muir and is by his stallion Ravishing out of the American bred Dixieland Band mare, Queenofmountain, who won three times in the USA.
Ravishing now stands at Manny and Mandy Testa’s Midlands Thoroughbreds in Mooi River, close to their business interest Midlands Saddle And Trout. Ravishing is owned by Mr & Mrs Robert Muir who successfully raced the eye-catching stallion.
One of only two sons of the great KZN-bred Jet Master at stud, and the only son of Jet Master to stand in KZN, the magnificent chestnut stallion moved from Summerhill in February this year.
A handsomely magnificent chestnut standing at almost 16.2 hands, Ravishing was a R1,1 million purchase from the 2005 National Yearling Sale. Trained by Geoff Woodruff to win three races between 1000m and 2450m, Ravishing achieved a great win in the Gr 1 SA Derby of 2007. He also finished second in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas that season.
