Rudra made light of a huge weight and 14-month layoff when he powered home in the listed Wolf Power Handicap over 1600m at Turffontein today, leaving Choisir (ARG), Bhekinkosi (SAF) and Regal Ransom (SAF) toilng in his wake.
Having his first run since his 2008 Summer Cup victory, Rudra settled nicely on the inside, disputing fifth place with stablemate Havasha as Fenerbahce bowled along in front ahead of Choisir, Bhekinkosi and Dinner For One.
Fenerbahce still led past the 400m mark but the writing was on the wall as Bhekinkosi and Choisir went past him. Rudra was travelling sweetly to the inside and when Johnny Geroudis popped the question, the response was immediate as he skipped clear. The race was over as a contest and Rudra had just over two lengths to spare as they crossed the line.
This was a hugely impressive performance as Rudra was lugging 63kg and racing over a course and distance that is probably on the sharp side for him. Needless to say, he is set to play a prominent role in the big middle distance contests coming up for the rest of the season.
Choisir and Bhekinkosi are not in the same class as the winner but deserve credit for sticking to their guns all the way to the line and neither of them was disgraced. Regal Ransom never looked like winning but made some progress in the straight and he is another one who is at his best over a little further.
Rudra (SAF) is a 5-y-o horse by Parade Leader (USA) out of Tawny Red by Northfields (USA). He is owned by Messrs Tony Moodley, P Bayvel, M F de Kock, M C Gerber and F Ladeira and was bred by Lammerskraal Stud (Nom: Mr M L P Rattray).
Winning trainer: Mike de Kock
Race 6 - R135K - WOLF POWER HANDICAP (Listed)
Open - 1600m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 1 |
RUDRA |
Johnny Geroudis |
A |
63.0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00 |
96.54 |
16/1 |
10/1 |
| 10 |
CHOISIR (ARG) |
Piere Strydom |
A |
54.5 |
8 |
2 |
2.25 |
96.96 |
8/1 |
11/1 |
| 6 |
BHEKINKOSI |
Guillermo Figueroa |
A |
57.5 |
2 |
3 |
2.50 |
97.00 |
25/1 |
25/1 |
| 9 |
REGAL RANSOM |
Corne Orffer |
A |
55.5 |
7 |
4 |
3.75 |
97.23 |
4/1 |
6/1 |
| 3 |
BOUQUET-GARNI |
M J Odendaal |
A |
58.5 |
6 |
5 |
4.00 |
97.28 |
25/1 |
50/1 |
| 11 |
HAVASHA |
Anthony Delpech |
A |
53.0 |
4 |
6 |
5.25 |
97.52 |
3/1 |
19/10F |
| 7 |
RUDI ROCKS |
Anton Marcus |
A B |
57.5 |
5 |
7 |
5.75 |
97.61 |
4/1 |
9/2 |
| 12 |
ZORBA'S TALE (AUS) |
Donavan Mansour *0.0 |
A B |
53.0 |
10 |
8 |
6.00 |
97.66 |
8/1 |
16/1 |
| 5 |
FENERBAHCE |
Derreck David |
A |
58.0 |
3 |
9 |
6.50 |
97.75 |
16/1 |
33/1 |
| 2 |
THEREALSLIMSHADY |
Gavin Lerena |
A |
59.5 |
12 |
10 |
9.50 |
98.32 |
12/1 |
9/1 |
| 4 |
CATMANDU |
Gunter Wrogemann |
A B |
58.0 |
9 |
11 |
9.75 |
98.37 |
20/1 |
15/1 |
| 8 |
DINNER FOR ONE |
Brett Smith |
A |
56.5 |
11 |
12 |
10.75 |
98.56 |
4/1 |
20/1 |
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