How will the handicappers rate the performance of Mike de Kock’s unbeaten 3yo Mount Pleasant?
That’s the 129 million dollar question after the Australian-bred colt handed a galloping lesson to his well-performed elders with an eyecatching victory in the R175 000 Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday – making it a 100% feature strike countrywide for the sophomores on the afternoon.
Callan Murray steers Mount Pleasant to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
While the 3yo’s weren’t represented in the Matchem at Durbanville, won in great style by Snaith’s 6yo soldier Kasimir, they showed that they could be something of a budding vintage crop by winning the Diana Stakes, the Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, and the richest local prize on the afternoon, the Joburg Spring Challenge.
Fresh off a break of 14 weeks following his SA Nursery victory, and going the 1450m for the first time, Mount Pleasant (13-10) turned on the jets under Ridgemont Highlands jockey Callan Murray inside the final 250m and staved off challenges from the hardknocking seasoned Tarry duo of Cirillo (5-2) and Chimichuri Run (7-1) to win easily by a length in a time of 88,32 secs.
Mount Pleasant with Sam Semela on Saturday morning before the big race (Pic – Di De Kock/Twitter)
It’s good to see a nice horse sticking around on local soil – even if trainer Mike de Kock did suggest he’d ‘like to have him on the first plane out of here’ after his Nursery win – and owner Dave Maclean looks set for plenty of fun with the son of Golden Slipper winning Medaglia D’Oro stallion Vancouver (Aus), who should enjoy more ground.
Mount Pleasant was signed for by Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe for A$ 90 000 at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Bred by Makybe, the exciting winner is out of Life In A Metro (AUS) by Fastnet Rock (AUS).
He has won 3 from 3 for R231 000 in stakes.
