Hong Kong-based South African trainer David Ferraris has continued to support the SA sales and six three-year-olds he has an interest in are currently being trained by Summerveld-based Garth Puller, one of whom won at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.
The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Var colt Brooklyn won over 1600m on the turf yesterday under David’s son Luke in his fourth career start, converting 16-10 favouritism.
He turned for home in midfield and after being switched outward ran on strongly to win by half-a-length. He looks to have scope for further improvement.
The other five horses are Bay Tibbs, Brass Bell, August Red, Backpacker and Cherokee Chief.
All six horses were moved to Puller’s yard after the recent retirement of David Ferraris’s legendary father Ormond.
The long-term intention for all of them was to be exported to Hong Kong and to be trained there by David.
However, horses in training have to pass certain ability criteria before being accepted for import to the island.
Puller believes two of them, Bay Tibbs and Brass Bell, will soon be on their way.
Riyo Stud-bred Bold Silvano colt Bay Tibbs won his maiden second time out over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 3,80 lengths having finished second on debut over 1200m. He then won first time out of the maidens over the same course and distance in a handicap, scoring by 0,70 lengths against older horses off a merit rating of 88. His current merit rating is 93. He is owned by CW Hui.
The improving Pathfork colt Brass Bell finished second twice in the maidens over 1200m. In his fifth career start he was stepped up to 1400m on the Greyville turf and won cosily by 1,25 lengths. This Highlands Farms Stud-bred colt is now merit rated 86 and is owned by KW Chow.
August Red is a Lammerskraal Stud-bred gelding by What A Winter and he was well beaten on debut over 1000m. However, he is out of the useful stayer Adobe Pink, so will improve over further.
The Cheveley Stud-bred Cherokee Chief is a colt by Silvano out of twice Listed winner Oceana, who finished second in both the Grade 1 Allan Robertson and the Grade 1 Thekwini over 1600m. He was well beaten in his first two starts over 1200m and then finished just 2,80 lengths back when stepped up to 1400m. Being by Silvano he should continue to improve.
The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Silvano colt Backpacker also improved when stepped up to 1400m in his second career start and finished third, although he was beaten 6,30 lengths.
All of Brooklyn, August Red, Cherokee Chief and Backpacker are owned by the Five Up High Syndicate, whose nominee is David Ferraris.
Puller is currently leading the KZN Trainer’s championship with 16 winners.
By David Thiselton
