With a top notch second in the Mercury Sprint last year behind an exported Isivunguvungu and with an ideal run in transit, the best in the race, Surjay secured redemption in a year later. This triumph marked his maiden Grade 1 win and provided jockey Louis Mxothwa with his first Gr1 victory of the season. The same jockey who ride him to perfection in pastes years race, got his dues. Again he rode the horse to perfection and closely matched the best runs in transit.

According to his trainer, Brett Crawford, he mentioned that skipping the Gr2 Post Merchants race proved beneficial for Surjay, who thrives on fresh runs and had a smooth journey from gate 2. In contrast, the drifting favorite, Lucky Lad, struggled from his wide draw, three wide at the back fo the field and interfered with in the straight, it was a nightmare passage home. He should his usual kick in the straight beaten a commendable 0.70 lengths. It ended up being one of his best runs of the season in terms of what he went though and the knowledgeable would argue that he gained more followers than he lost in defeat. The 69.86s for the 1200m race was the 4th fastest run since the change to Greyville in 10 editions.

Royal Aussie (6-1), another horse in the Viljoen silks, finished third, followed closely by Sun Blushed (33-1) in fourth. This victory was the second Mercury win for the Viljoens, who also owned the 2022 winner Captain’s Ransom, while it marked Brett Crawford’s first trophy in what is most likely the best weight-for-age Sprint in South Africa. An ecstatic Suzette Viljoen told SAHorseracing.COM, "That was such a special win as Captain's Ransom also win it."

The 5 yo gelding was bred by the late Dr. Jim Antrobus and sired by star stallion Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of Something Of Value. His 5 wins have garnered just over R1.5m in stakes.

Sire: VERCINGETORIX
Dam: SOMETHING OF VALUE
Dam Sire: BADGER LAND (USA)
Breeder: Estate Late Dr R J Antrobus
Owner: Mrs S Viljoen