Rabada Strikes for Second Group I Win in SAf

Markus and Ingrid Jooste's Rabada took advantage of a slow pace to pick up his second group I victory in the Daily News 2000 May 28 at Greyville Racecourse in South Africa.

Runner-up in the Canon Guineas (SAf-II) last time out after starting from a wide draw, the colt was a weak favorite for Saturday's 2 million rand contest for 3-year-olds going 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles).

With the scratch of Rabada's Guineas conqueror Black Arthur, the race—long seen as a leading prep for the Vodacom Durban July ( SAf-I)—had a wide open look. While Rabada was eventually dispatched favorite, there was plenty of support for Investec Cape Derby (SAf-I) winner It's My Turn, Drill Hall Stakes (SAf-II) winner New Predator, Guineas third-place finisher Mambo Mime, as well as Rocketball and Samurai Blade, who were second and third, respectively, in the recent SA Derby (SAf-I).

Outsider Sylvester the Cat set a farcically slow early pace, with Rabada well positioned by jockey Anton Marcus just off the front-runner. Other fancied runners had less perfect trips, with Derby-winning It's My Turn racing very wide at one stage, before racing up to take second position. Liege, representing champion trainer Sean Tarry, appeared poised for a winning effort at the top of the Greyville straight, but was quickly swamped—first by Rabada and then It's My Turn. The latter moved up menacingly to challenge the favorite, but despite his rider dropping his stick at the top of the straight, Rabada was also travelling well and produced a strong run down the inside. 

In a tight finish, Rabada just prevailed over It's My Turn, with the latter none the less impressing as a likely contender for the Durban July, on the first Saturday in July.

With a neck separating the first two, it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Mambo Mime, who did well to overcome a wide draw of 13. Derby runner-up Rocketball filled the minor berth.

 Marcus was quick to point out the slow pace suited his mount. 

"The pedestrian pace certainly played into our hands, with the slow early fractions negating any stamina fears we had. Well done to (trainer) Mike (Azzie), he (Rabada) put up some fantastic work at home and I thought if he stayed they could write out the check before the race!"

The winner, who was bred by former champion breeder Summerhill Stud, stopped the clock in a time of 2:05.07. Rabada, unbeaten at 2 when his wins included the Premier's Champion Stakes (SAf-I), has won five of eight outings and earned R2,473,750.

Rabada's win continued the great year that his trainer Mike Azzie has had with his 3-year-olds, including this season's Triple Crown winner Abashiri.

The colt, who is out of the winning Fard mare Jordie, is the first group I victor for U.S grade III winner Brave Tin Soldier, a son of Storm Cat whose dam is a full sister to 2000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and Central Kentucky sire Fusaichi Pegasus. Brave Tin Soldier stands at Summerhill Stud.

It's My Turn's trainer, Justin Snaith, gained consolation for his gelding's defeat, when saddling the brilliant gray Bela-Bela to win the Woolavington 2000 (SAf-I) on the same card.

Sent out 8-10 favorite for the R1 million event for 3-year-old fillies, Bela-Bela produced a smart turn of foot to land the 2000-meter test by 1 3/4 length over fellow grey Negroamaro, with Nightingale back in third and Heaps Of Fun fourth.

Owned by the Varsfontein Stud, the Cheveley Stud-bred Bela-Bela has won four of her six outings, with her previous wins including the Daisy Fillies Guineas (SAf-II). A daughter of former South African Horse of the Year and leading sire Dynasty, Bela-Bela is a half sister to no fewer than five stakes winners, including the ill-fated champion Rabiya.