Tony Peter-trained MAIN DEFENDER made his shadow loom large on the highveld season with a commanding Betway Spring Challenge victory, while Highveld princess MRS GERIATRIX proved her class when retaining her crown in the Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (Fillies), on a thrilling Betway Spring Challenge Day at Turffontein.
While Saturday, 7 October marked the end of the Betway Spring Series, it provided some thrills, spills and serious season pointers. The R400 000 Bloodstock SA Sales Cup for fillies produced a vintage Turffontein thriller when Sean Tarry charge, the Magical Lady Syndicate's Mrs Geriatrix, found a tough adversary in White Pearl from the Mike de Kock yard. Mrs Geriatrix, making her 3yo debut and coming into the race on a five-race win streak, was widely expected to continue her winning ways, but was thoroughly tested in the process. The ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)'s White Pearl mounted a determined challenge, and the two fillies matched each other stride for stride in the final stages, but jockey Richard Fourie had judged it to perfection to get Mrs Geriatrix’s nose down on the line when it mattered most.
Mr Pooe's Purple Pitcher was not for catching in the R400 000 Bloodstock SA Sale Cup for colts and geldings, scoring by 2 lengths under a textbook ride from Kabelo Matsunyane for the Robyn Klaasen string.
After a number of desperately near misses, Messrs W D Jackson, M J Campbell, A D Marx & C C Valjalo's Feather Boa was not going to be denied in the Betway Joburg Spring F & M Challenge, securing her first graded win by 1 length under Gavin Lerena. It was a memorable result for Stuart Pettigrew who saddled the first two past the post.
The R550 000 Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge was an equally thrilling affair won by Main Defender, ridden by rising Soweto-born talent Kabelo Matsunyane, who lifted title by an emphatic 5 lengths for trainer Tony Peter and owners Messrs J J Habib, G, K & M M Nassif.
Families enjoyed a day of exceptional entertainment, with activities for children, delicious culinary options, and sensational horse racing ensuring that the Betway Spring Series concluded in fine fashion.
"The Betway Joburg Spring Challenge was a thrilling racing event for the whole family. Betway has been a phenomenal partner for 4Racing and the horseracing community and it was fantastic to see so many people from diverse backgrounds enjoying a day at the races in typically Joburg style. It was a day of high quality, competitive racing for avid punters and also a fun, family day enjoyed by families and social racegoers. As the Betway Spring Series draws to a close, it has been the perfect launchpad in the build to the big one, the R5 million Betway Summer Cup, and we are super excited for what the Highveld summer season has in store for us,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.
The Betway Spring Series has been a wonderful fillip for South African horse racing, showcasing increased stakes, thrilling competition, outstanding horsemanship, and an atmosphere of family-friendly enjoyment.
The 2023 Betway Summer Cup is set to raise the stakes even higher, with an impressive R5 Million up for grabs in Gauteng's seasonal highlight on 25 November.
Don't miss the next Highveld feature race day when the Allied Steelrode on A Mission Charity Mile takes centre stage on Saturday 28 October at Turffontein Racecourse.
Full list of the winners on the Betway Joburg Spring Challenge race day:
Race 1: Betway Tote Rewards Club Maiden Plate
Winner: Copper Mist
Owner: Dr S J Coetzee, Messrs Yagan Nair, Trevelen Pillay & S S Pooe
Breeder: Limestone Thoroughbred Trust
Trainer: Weichong Marwing
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Race 2: Betway Insurebet Maiden Plate
Horse: Gimme A Nother
Owner: Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs J B Jell)
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Trainer: Mike de Kock
Jockey: JP van der Merwe
Race 3: Bloodstock Sa Sales Cup (Fillies)
Winner: Mrs Geriatrix
Owner: Magical Lady Syndicate (Nom: Natalie Turner)
Breeder: Clifton Stud
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Richard Fourie
Race 4: Bloodstock Sa Sales Cup (C & G)
Winner: Purple Pitcher
Owner: Mr S S Pooe
Breeder: Bush Hill Stud
Trainer: Robyn Klaasen
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Race 5: Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge
Winner: Feather Boa
Owner: Messrs W D Jackson, M J Campbell, A D Marx & C C Valjalo
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Trainer: Stuart Pettigrew
Jockey: Gavin Lerena
Race 6: Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge
Winner: Main Defender
Owner: Messrs J J Habib, G, K & M M Nassif
Breeder: Jagessar Limited
Trainer: Tony Peter
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Race 7: Betway Aviator Pinnacle Stakes
Winner: Mover and Shaker
Owner: Messrs J Nassif, G J Nassif & Tri-Deal Sixteen CC (Nom: Mr Z L Nassif)
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Trainer: Fabian Habib
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Race 8: Betway Back The Boks Fm 80 Handicap
Winner: My Soul Mate
Owner: Varsfontein Stud (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr J S Kalmanson)
Breeder: Varsfontein Stud
Trainer: Candice Dawson
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Race 9: Betway We Pay Your Tax On Horse Racing Wins Mr 80 Handicap
Winner: Youcanthurrylove
Owner: Messrs G J Nassif, J A Habib, J Nassif & Tri-Deal Sixteen CC (Nom: Mr Z L Nassif)
Breeder: Varsfontein Stud
Trainer: Fabian Habib
Jockey: Dennis Schwarz