As a half-sister to 2011 South African Horse of the Year Igugu, three year-old filly
Ngaga has a lot to live up to, but with three wins in as many starts she's well
on her way to proving more than useful.Trained by Andre Nel, she won by a length over 1600 metres beating older mares as favourite.
Ngaga was a $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft for James Bester Bloodstock and runs for his long-time client Mrs Sabine Plattner.
"This filly was a 'stand-out' on physique - a big, strong, good-moving Fastnet Rock filly with a lot of quality," James Bester recalled.
"Her front legs, however, left a little to be desired, which put buyers off her at Easter.
"I thought she was a near-million-dollar filly if legs had been perfect, so was happy enough to buy her 'on spec' at the heavily-discounted reserve price.
"I offered her to Sabine Plattner (for whom I'd previously bought the likes of Laisserfaire, Joie de Grise, more recently Acrostar, etc.). Sabine and her trainer Andre Nel were unhesitating in snapping her up and, judging by this debut win, are going to have a lot of fun with a filly whose residual value is huge."
Bred by Kia Ora, Ngaga is the fifth winner from Zarinia (IRE), who in addition to producing four-time Group I winner Igugu has also left Group III winner Honorius and Group III placed Sweet Fire.
Zarinia produced a filly by Newgate Farm's exciting young sire Deep Field in 2016.
Also successful at Turffontein were Rafeef (4h Redoute's Choice National Colour (SthAf) and Effortless Reward (3f Reward for Effort x Shama Cabama), while Rinjani (3c Choisir x Optimist) scored at Kenilworth.
