3 minute read

Talented four-year-old gelding Kangaroo Jack showed his class with a facile victory in the G3 Spring Spree Stakes at Turffontein for his fourth consecutive win.

The Gary Alexander trained gelding, who had won the G2 Post Merchants last time out, jumped as the even money favourite and raced mid-field in Saturday's R250 000 contest over 1200m under jockey Andrew Fortune.

At one stage as if he may not get a clear passage, but Fortune brought Kangaroo Jack with 200m left to run and from there it was no race.

Kangaroo Jack, who had the top weight of 61kg, powered clear to register a 1.75 length victory from a fast finishing Angel's Power giving the latter 7.5 kg.

The G3 winner Moofeed was third.

Kangaroo Jack has now won five of just nine outings. He is one two graded winners in his sire Querari’s first crop and one of five winners produced by his dam.

My Funny Valentine, a classy juvenile last season, got her three year old career off to a perfect start with an impressive victory over 1200m at Turffontein.

She was brilliantly ridden by one of South Africa's up and coming jockeys Julius Mariba who is in fantastic form at the moment.

This Sean Tarry-trained filly has won two of her four career starts to date and looks extremely progressive.

It was an awesome moment for owner Michael Leaf as he races the first two past the post. The runner up Drifting Dusk also has a bright future.

My Funny Valentine was purchased for R700, 000 at the 2015 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale, and was bred by Klawervlei Stud.

She is by Captain Al, who won the 1996 Cape Guineas and has since gone on to become one of South Africa's top stallions.

• At Kenilworth some well bred horses were in winning form including Bombshell Girl, a half sister to champion Via Africa who won her maiden at her third start.

One Direction, a full brother to G1 winner Seal, followed suit in the second race at only the second start of his career.

Seal won the G1 South African Derby over 2400m and the Justin Snaith-trained One Direction looked every bit a stayer who should be followed closely this season.

• IN MAURITIUS, the Air Mauritius Maiden Cup – one of big races of the year – was won by the horse with the lowest rating.

Parachute Man proved too hot for the opposition, earning trainer Ricky Maingard and jockey Rye Joorawon their second wins in this race and also the latter's second classic win of the season.

Bulsara, ridden by recently arrived Australian jockey Ben Kennedy, finished second.