NATIONAL Assembly colt Call The Challenge (headline photo) was the second of the stable’s two midweek winners at respective Vaal turf meetings this week.

The three-year-old was never challenged in a Maiden Plate over 1000m and won by 3-25 lengths. Jockey Weichong Marwing commented. “He was uptight before his last run, which was against stronger runners in a feature race, but he was relaxed today and picked it up nicely. He’s a nice horse.”

Call The Challenge’s dam, Make My Millennium (by Personal Hope), is a half-sister to Champion sire Jet Master. She was lightning fast herself, but only contested three starts for one win due to unsoundness.

Mike de Kock commented: “Call The Challenge is sound and we’re hoping he can go on from here. His blood suggests he will be effective up to 1400m. It will be nice to pick up a feature race with him somewhere along the line.”

Call The Challenge is owned by the partnership of De Kock, Greg Blank, Tony Moodley and Larry Nestadt.

Red Barrel: Emperors Cup hopeful. (JC Photos)

Leading owners Markus Ingrid Jooste, enjoying a good run with the yard, woudl have been pleased to see R350,000 Ready-To-Run purchase Red Barrel beat what looked like a competitive Maiden field over 1200m on Tuesday.

Apprentice Tshwaro Appie brought this colt by Right Approach home to a 1.25-length debut win.

“Red Barrel has a few quirks, his sire had some too, but we’re holding thumbs he can improve more. He’s a contender for the Emperors Cup. He was one of the nicer yearlings at last year’s Ready To Run Sale,” said Mike.