Zambezi River (SAF) maintained his unbeaten record with an eye-catching victory in the R2-million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, presented by CTS. Brutal Force (SAF) ran a big race in second as Sunset Tripp (SAF) stayed on for third ahead of River God (SAF).
Sunset Tripp won the battle for the lead with River God, Brutal Force and Shimmering Leaves all in close attendance. Zambezi River travelled well on the rails, just off the leading pack, in a race where the rest of the field was unable to really get in a blow.
Sunset Tripp get going gamely in the straight as River God moved up and briefly looked to head her. Brutal Force, however, was unwinding an ominous-looking run, and when he charged into the lead in the final furlong, it looked as if he was set for a big payday. Zambezi River, though, was matching him stride for stride on the inside and he produced a decisive burst inside the last 50m to register a clear-cut victory and make it three from three.
Trainer Sean Tarry (pictured) had been confident of Zambezi River's chances in his pre-race comments and the son of Trippi fully vindicated the faith placed in him. His victory here adds a another intriguing dimension to the 3-year-old picture this season and the prospect of him taking on the likes of Act Of War and Harry's Son, who have already laid down their own markers this month, is an exciting one.
Brutal Force emerged with plenty of credit and he looked a winner 100m out. He had to race up handy to overcome a poor draw and he just happened to come up against a really talented rival on the day.
Sunset Tripp and River God tired late but were game in defeat and ran well enough after doing plenty of hard work in the early stages.
3 b c Trippi (USA) - Margaret River (USA) by Seeking The Gold (USA)
Owners: Messrs C J H van Niekerk & M J Jooste
Bred by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Winning trainer: Sean Tarry
Race 7 - R2M - LANZERAC READY TO RUN STAKES (Non-Black Type) Presented by CTS
For 3 year-olds - 1400m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 9 |
ZAMBEZI RIVER |
S'Manga Khumalo |
S G Tarry |
A |
58.0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3/1 |
9/2 |
| 2 |
BRUTAL FORCE |
Bernard Fayd'Herbe |
J Ramsden |
A B |
58.0 |
11 |
2 |
0.75 |
0.00 |
11/2 |
5/1 |
| 14 |
SUNSET TRIPP |
Richard Fourie |
S J Snaith |
A |
55.5 |
5 |
3 |
2.75 |
0.00 |
20/1 |
25/1 |
| 4 |
RIVER GOD |
M J Byleveld |
V H Marshall |
A |
58.0 |
6 |
4 |
3.15 |
0.00 |
14/1 |
12/1 |
| 8 |
PEACE PACT |
Grant Van Niekerk |
M W Bass |
A |
58.0 |
13 |
5 |
3.45 |
0.00 |
16/1 |
50/1 |
| 16 |
JEWELLER'S JOY |
Greg Cheyne |
G S Kotzen |
A |
55.5 |
10 |
6 |
3.75 |
0.00 |
16/1 |
25/1 |
| 5 |
IMPERIAL GOLD |
Aldo Domeyer |
S G Tarry |
A |
58.0 |
9 |
6 |
3.75 |
0.00 |
14/1 |
20/1 |
| 3 |
THE CAPTAIN'S TUNE |
Piere Strydom |
G V Woodruff |
A B |
58.0 |
3 |
8 |
3.80 |
0.00 |
10/1 |
9/2 |
| 15 |
SHIMMERING LEAVES |
Grant Behr |
A E Sands |
A |
55.5 |
4 |
9 |
4.55 |
0.00 |
14/1 |
33/1 |
| 12 |
CAT AND THE MOON |
Sean Cormack |
S J Snaith |
A |
55.5 |
8 |
10 |
4.60 |
0.00 |
20/1 |
40/1 |
| 7 |
CLIFTON SURF |
Stuart Randolph |
A C Greeff |
A |
58.0 |
15 |
11 |
4.65 |
0.00 |
33/1 |
50/1 |
| 13 |
HARVARD CRIMSON |
Robert Khathi |
S J Snaith |
A |
55.5 |
12 |
12 |
4.85 |
0.00 |
33/1 |
75/1 |
| 6 |
VARLO |
Karl Neisius |
D Kannemeyer |
A |
58.0 |
16 |
13 |
5.35 |
0.00 |
14/1 |
66/1 |
| 11 |
ALEXIS |
Corne Orffer |
B Crawford |
A |
55.5 |
2 |
14 |
5.45 |
0.00 |
7/2 |
4/1 |
| 1 |
BELONG TO ME |
Weichong Marwing |
J A Janse van Vuuren |
A |
58.0 |
7 |
15 |
5.55 |
0.00 |
7/1 |
10/1 |
| 10 |
PENNINGTON SANDS |
Gavin Lerena |
T Zackey |
A |
55.5 |
14 |
16 |
5.95 |
0.00 |
25/1 |
33/1 |
| 18 |
VALERIN |
Scratched |
| 17 |
NIGHT IN SEATTLE |
Scratched |
|
