SINGSPIEL, the Champion Turf Horse in the US in 1996, produced two winners for Mike de Kock’s stable at Turffontein’s inner track on Saturday.
The legacy of this grandson of Sadler’s Wells (and half-brother to Rakeen), lives on around the world after he was euthanized following a bout of lamanitis in 2010 – Global Strike and Atlantic Oak putting his name on the board at the Johannesburg track.
Global Strike (Anthony Delpech), on his 1400m debut, defeated the favourite Western Way by a nose in Race 2 and assistant trainer John Buckler said: “We’ll be looking for good improvement from him, he’s a horse that needs more ground and to have won on his first outing was a good achievement.”
Larry Nestadt, who owned Rakeen and is in partnership in Global Strike with Bernard Kantor and Allan Bott, bred this bay colt from the mare Almah, herself an accomplished winner up to 2800m.
Gavin Lerena, in top form, booted home Atlantic Oak (headline photo) for Mike, Dr John McVeigh and Noelline Malherbe. The mare, now five, is going from strength to strength and Buckler said: “She was penalised six points in the boardroom after winning on objection last time so this was a big run. She won’t stop here. She will win again.”
Global Strike (obscured), got his nose in front on the line. (JC Photos).