Fastnet
Rock was in hot form on Saturday with a new Group I winner in Comin' Through as
well as a new stakes-winner in South Africa with progressive mare Ngaga taking
out the Listed East Coast Cup at Greyville.
As a half-sister to 2011 South African Horse of the Year Igugu, four year-old Ngaga
has always had a lot to live up to, but has proven more than useful with four
wins from nine starts, this success her first Black Type victory.
Trained by Andre Nel, she won the 2000 metre feature by a length and a half 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 now with Black Type
on her resume she has proven an astute purchase."
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.
Kia Ora sold a Deep Field filly from Zarinia at Inglis Easter this year for
$300,000 to Belmont Bloodstock Agency and she has a colt by All Too Hard to
follow.
Ngaga is the 137th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock.