Aussie Success in South AFrica

The Listed Woolavington Stakes at Kenilworth in South Africa on Saturday was won for the second year in a row by Australian bred Danehill Dancer (IRE) gelding Ovidio, a bargain $30,000 Inglis Easter purchase for James Bester Bloodstock from the draft of Crowning Stone.

Trained by Justin Snaith, Ovidio carried top weight of 62 kg and won the 2400 metre staying test by half a length beating his stablemate and favouroite Francia.

A three time stakes-winner with seven wins from 21 starts, Ovidio is the first stakes-winner for ill-fated Pre Nup, a Red Ransom (USA) half-sister to Group III winner Typhoon Billie.

Also successful at Turffontein were promising three year olds Dame Eleanor (3f New Approach x Curtana) and Al Fahad (3c Redoute’s Choice x Albakoor).

Both are trained by Mike de Kock and both made it two wins in as many starts when scoring over 1450 metres.

Dame Eleanor was an $85,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Form Bloodstock, while Al Fahad is a homebred for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Australia