Saturday 12th June was a bitter sweet day for the yard. Kenilworth provided the sweet side with 3 winners from the 9 races carded, the first 3 timer for many a year! ( See our Stats & Videos section ) An exceptional achievement for a yard our size. The first winner was Johnnie B, a Lake Coniston 2 y.o. for popular Cape owners, Midge Cunnington and Smitty. They always choose their own yearlings, and this was a very cheap one. Good luck to them!

Pics courtesy of Equine Edge

The Badger's Drift gelding, Badger Lake, was recording his 2nd win for the Steele brothers. An out and out stayer who has taken time to come to hand, he won particularly well and should pay to follow.

American Fantasy was the 3rd winner, and she was recording her 2nd win from her last 3 outings, for owner James Buckley. Not the soundest, she could score again before the end of winter.

Interesting enough, these 3 winners cost a total of just on R100,000, which just goes to show there is still something in racing for the small player who does his homework!

On the bitter side, Kapil ran unplaced in the Gold Challenge at Clairwood. He is rising 8 now and his future is being discussed. More about him later!

Saturday saw Megapixel fluently shedding his Maiden tag at Kenilworth over 1200m, at only his 3rd start. (See our Stats & Videos section) His win was noteworthy for a few other 'firsts'! He was the first offspring of Horse Chestnut's full brother, Whitechapel, to taste success. He is one of only a few in Whitechapel's first crop. Breeder's Brad and Colleen van der Riet, who stand Whitechapel at their Vanree Stud outside Wellington, will be encouraged by Megapixel's success, as proving a stallion is one of the most daunting tasks around! Congrats to them.

Pic courtesy of Equine Edge

Also savouring their first entry into the Winner's Enclosure were Messrs Simon and Sonamzi. Megapixel is their 3rd horse in training, but neither of the other two were around for long  and neither even made it to the race course. Racing nuts, they have been rewarded  for their perseverance with a horse that looks quite promising. May they enjoy many more winners!

Saturday the 12th June sees Kapil take his place in the Gold Challenge over the Clairwood 1600m, a race in which he has twice run 2nd. His prep has not been easy this season, but I do feel he is coming well at the right time. Mighty Atom contests the Cup Trial on the same day, and I am hoping for a cheque from him. He is thriving!

Happy racing

Stan