A 30% winning strike rate

We’ve had seven winners this week, 30 winners for the season and a 30% winning strike rate – a really wonderful run of success and Mike thanked his team again on Sunday. “This is hard work paying off. We’ll keep it going as long as we can. Runners find their places, it gets harder to win and there will be quiet times again. But we’re enjoying this and hoping it continues, there are more good horses stepping out soon!”

We last updated with photos on Wednesday, so below are the last five winners with comments:

VAAL, THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER

Definitely Maybe, with Gavin Lerena up. (JC Photos)

MAIDEN PLATE (F&M), 1600m

WINNER: DEFINITELY MAYBE
PEDIGREE: 3bF Silvano (GER) – Maybe Yes by Tiger Ridge (USA).
OWNER: Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack).
BREEDER: Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein.
JOCKEY: Gavin Lerena
Mdk comments: “There is a lot of a scope in Definitely Maybe’s pedigree. She is by Dynasty from a stakes winning mare so she has lots of improvement to come and we expect more of her in future.”

Monashada (Jeffrey Syster).

APPRENTICE HANDICAP (F&M MR64), 1700m

WINNER: MONASHADA
PEDIGREE: 3bF Silvano (GER) – Captain’s Song by Captain Al.
OWNER: Estate Late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum.
BREEDER:  Shadwell Stud.
JOCKEY: Jeffrey Syster
Mdk comments: “Monashada won this handicap as a Maiden, she was handily rated. She has another win or two in her.”

Safe Passage (left) completes his hat-trick of wins.

MIDDLE STAKES (MR 92-), 2000m

WINNER: SAFE PASSAGE
PEDIGREE:  3bG Silvano (GER) – My Sanctuary by Antonius Pius (USA).
OWNER: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert).
BREEDER: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert).
JOCKEY: Muzi Yeni
Mdk comments: “Nice type of horse this, a Derby candidate for us. This was a very good win at the weights.”

TURFFONTEIN, SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER

Mike’s Chick wins.

GRADUATION PLATE (F&M), 1600m

WINNER: MIKE’S CHICK
PEDIGREE: 3bF Vercingetorix – Strawberyshortcake by Dynasty.
OWNER: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd.
BREEDER: Hemel `N Aarde Stud. 
JOCKEY: Keagan De Melo
Mdk comments: “Mike’s Chick won a very good race today, beating a nice filly with feature race form. They pulled eight lengths clear of the third horse. She’ll be better on the standside track too.”

Wisteria Avenue, on the double!

Mr 72 HANDICAP PLATE (F&M), 1800m

WINNER: WISTERIA AVENUE
PEDIGREE: 3bF Flower Alley (USA) – Teller Line (USA) by Roar (USA).
OWNER: ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha).
BREEDER: Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein.
JOCKEY: Warren Kennedy
Mdk comments: “A good win against older males, at the weights. I think the further she goes the better she’ll get,  2000-2400m, she is by Flower Alley. Good luck to Arun Chadha and Warne Rippon of Allied Steelrode with this winner ahead of their new Charity Mile Sponsorship next week.”