HAPPY VERSE, ZALATORIS IMPRESS ON DEBUT
Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate Zalatoris made a big impression on Sunday when making a winning debut at Turffontein. The Paul Matchett trained two-year-old was allowed to start at 25/2 for Sunday’s Take A Bet Wina Numba Numba Maiden Juvenile Plate. However, Zalatoris made a mockery of his price with a fluent performance.
Zalatoris
Under Philasande Mxoli, Zalatoris was allowed to settle early on, before running on strongly. Hitting the front 150m from home, the Erik The Red gelding romped home to win as he liked by three and a half lengths.
Purchased for R200 000 from the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Zalatoris looks to have a bright future.
The winning trainer said after Sunday’s race, “Well done to Anthony and Matthew (Kapnias). They have found a good horse, and I am happy to be training him!”
Zalatoris is the eighth winner to have emerged from his multiple graded stakes winning sire Erik The Red’s first crop. He is out of the Silvano mare Charisma, a winning half-sister to Gr1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint winner Contador.
Zalatoris was bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm.
Another graduate of the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling to catch the eye over the long weekend was Happy Verse.
Happy Verse
The Justin Snaith trained two-year-old made the perfect start to his career when he made a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday. Under the effervescent Andrew Fortune, Happy Verse took time to find himself, but managed to produce a late burst to get up and win the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) in the shadow of the post.
While a gelding operation may be on the cards for Happy Verse, connections feel that he is a top individual with a bright future ahead of him.
The winning jockey said after the race, “This is a top horse. Top horse.”
Bred by Drakenstein Stud the blue-blooded Happy Verse races for Reon Barnard, Gary Player and Drakenstein.
The colt, a R1 600 000 purchase from the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, is by the all-conquering, Vercingetorix, whose daughters Mia Moo, Quickstepgal and Elegantrix all won graded races over the past weekend.
Happy Verse, a half-brother to three winners, is out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Song Of Happiness, a daughter of globetrotting champion Captain’s Lover.
By Sarah Whitelaw
