Longstanding past SA champion breeders Summerhill Stud celebrated a feature exacta at Scottsville on Sunday when two sons of Kahal fought out the finish of the R120 000 Highland Night Cup.
No Worries finishes well under Warren Kennedy
The 2400m non black-type staying contest only hosted a field of nine and while pace looked an issue, it was not to be, as Anthony Delpech took the blinkered second favourite Solar Star out from the break.
With Serissa stalking him, Solar Star looked comfortable as he eventually relaxed out front and took them along at a decent pace.
Eventual winner No Worries, a fellow who has had his share of race-riding tactical changes over time, was relaxed in midfield about five lengths off the pace.
In the run for home, Solar Star skipped and looked a winner inside the 300m.
But No Worries was winding up smartly and he went past his younger rival in the final 150m.
Warren Kennedy rode a well judged race and kept the chestnut nicely balanced to secure victory by 0,75 lengths in a time of 148,30 secs.
It was No Worries first win since October 2014.
Gavin Van Zyl – winning trainer
Solar Star did a lot of the donkey work under Anthony Delpech and ran a decent race at his first try over the trip – he can be followed over ground on this showing.
Helderberg Blue ran on a half length back in third, with the grey Penhaligon in fourth.
The favourite Serissa failed to spark in the straight and ran out of the money.
Owned by ‘Buffalo Bill’ Burnard, No Worries is by the top producer Kahal out of the eleven time winning Rambo Dancer mare Coastal Waltz.
The ill-fated Kahal was owned by Shadwell Stud, and was a son of Machiavellian. He earned Gr2 victories in the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket and the Nearctic Handicap at Woodbine.
He stood at Summerhill Stud before transferring to Bush Hill Stud where he died in June 2014.
A Gr2 winner at best, No Worries has won 5 races with 14 places from 38 starts for stakes of R2 202 075.
An elated assistant trainer Gareth Van Zyl hinted that the 6yo would now be aimed at the Gr2 Gold Cup which is run over 3200m on Super Saturday at the end of this season.
