Anger (BRZ) produced a superb front-running performance to land the Gr 3 August Stakes over 1200m at the Vaal's sand track on Saturday, rallying to deny Isobar (SAF) after a titanic struggle over the last furlong. Across The Ice (SAF) was not disgraced in third ahead of Midnight Run.
Francois Naude wasted no time in taking Anger into the lead and the pair were soon three lengths clear of Isobar. Killua Castle disputed third with Midnight Run, with Foyle, Nice Stride and Across The Ice next best.
Anger still held a handy lead entering the last 400m but Isobar was travelling ominously well in second place and moved up looking very much the one to beat. Midnight Run was under a ride to stay in touch and nothing else was running on at this stage.
Anger and Isobar pulled well clear of the rest and it was the latter who looked to have the advantage 150m out. Anger, however, had other ideas and showed tremendous courage to fight back in the dying stages and get up to win by half a length.
Anger has lived up to his name in the past with some temperament issues but trainer Corne Spies has got his charge in the form of his life and this was his fifth win on the trot. However, despite his recent winning streak, he had plenty to do here as he was taking a big jump in class and he also had to convince he would get the trip, having notched up his four-timer over 1000m. He settled all doubts with this performance and would be an obvious contender for next months Emerald Cup if handling the further step up in trip to 1450m.
Isobar looked a winner at one stage but bumped into a talented rival on the day and was far from disgraced. He will enjoy the step up to the Emerald Cup trip and he had the rest of the field well beaten here.
Across The Ice turned in a sterling performance given that he had to defy top weight and an impossible draw. He did not trouble the first two home but this was a very creditable effort from the 8-year-old.
Midnight Run, having his first run on the sand, appeared to have every chance and, although well-beaten in fourth, maintained his proud record of earning stake cheque every single time he's been to the races. At this stage, though, he does not appear quite as effective on this surface as he is on turf.
4 b c Elusive Quality (USA) - Garota Do Leblon (USA) by Thunder Gulch (USA)
Owners: Mr F N Englezakis & Favour Stud (Nom: Mrs Engelize du Preez)
Bred by Stud TNT (Nom: Mr G B Torrealba)
Race 7 - R250K - THE INTERBET AUGUST STAKES (Grade 3)
Open to all horses - 1200m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 7 |
ANGER (BRZ) |
Francois Naude |
C Spies |
A |
52.5 |
4 |
1 |
0.00 |
72.76 |
8/1 |
5/1F |
| 5 |
ISOBAR |
S'Manga Khumalo |
W H Marwing |
A |
53.5 |
1 |
2 |
0.50 |
72.85 |
4/1 |
4/1 |
| 1 |
ACROSS THE ICE |
Piere Strydom |
S G Tarry |
A B |
60.0 |
12 |
3 |
6.50 |
73.98 |
4/1 |
8/1 |
| 2 |
MIDNIGHT RUN |
Anthony Delpech |
M W Bass |
A |
59.5 |
3 |
4 |
7.00 |
74.08 |
7/2 |
11/2 |
| 3 |
KILLUA CASTLE (AUS) |
Akash Aucharuz |
G V Woodruff |
A B |
58.0 |
6 |
5 |
8.25 |
74.32 |
12/1 |
7/1 |
| 10 |
FOYLE |
Francois Herholdt |
M F De Kock |
A B |
52.0 |
8 |
6 |
9.50 |
74.56 |
9/2 |
6/1 |
| 4 |
NICE STRIDE |
Hennie Greyling |
L J Erasmus |
A |
55.0 |
7 |
7 |
13.50 |
75.34 |
16/1 |
66/1 |
| 6 |
SABADELL |
Raymond Danielson |
G V Woodruff |
A |
53.5 |
10 |
8 |
19.00 |
76.45 |
14/1 |
20/1 |
| 12 |
VELDDRIFTER |
Karl Zechner |
S W Kenny |
A B |
52.0 |
5 |
9 |
19.05 |
76.46 |
25/1 |
16/1 |
| 13 |
CHIEF SIOUX |
Juan Paul V'D Merwe |
P F Matchett |
A |
52.0 |
2 |
10 |
21.25 |
76.91 |
16/1 |
66/1 |
| 9 |
STAVINSKY |
Louis Nhlapo |
L J Erasmus |
A B |
52.0 |
11 |
11 |
21.50 |
76.96 |
12/1 |
20/1 |
| 8 |
GLOBAL EXPRESS |
Derreck David |
M W Bass |
A |
52.0 |
9 |
12 |
22.00 |
77.07 |
14/1 |
16/1 |
| 11 |
STORM INCOMING |
Scratched |
| 14 |
COMMISSIONERSTREET (AUS) |
Scratched |
|
