South African star Brazuca is the latest Vinery graduate to put his name in the mix for a Group 1 victory this season.
Brazuca was an effortless winner of the Group 2 Colorado King Stakes (2000m) at Turffontein on Saturday and he will be one of the favourites for the Group 1 President’s Champions Challenge over the same course and distance on May 6.
The Australian-bred gelding has a terrific turn of foot and jockey Gavin Lerena used it to advantage by stealing a march some way from home. He kept up a solid gallop to clear out by three lengths at the finish.
Trainer Johan Van Vuuren reported he pulled up well on Sunday and Lerena said there are other Group 1 races on the radar after Turffontein. “Johan had him tuned to the minute on Saturday. I had some reservations about the distance, but he won a super race, quickened right away and enjoyed it.
“He’s come on beautifully since spelling in the Cape earlier this year,” Lerena explained. “The owners have the (G1) Durban July as another possible target and the Greyville 2200m will be ideal on the way he won here.”
Brazuca (Teofilo) is a lightly-campaigned chestnut who was Group 1 placed in the Cape Guineas and Cape Derby of his classic year. He was an $80,000 buy at the 2014 Melbourne Premier yearling sale when offered by Vinery through the draft of Kia-Ora Stud.
His dam Base Paradise (Choisir) is an unraced daughter of Group 2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester). The mare has a yearling colt by Stratum also destined for South Africa after making $240,000 at this year’s Inglis Premier and she foaled a filly by Vinery champion More Than Ready last September.
Russian Revolution is the latest Vinery graduate to grab a Group 1. He won The Galaxy last week and is being set for the G1 T J Smith back at Randwick this Saturday, April 1.
Vinery’s Inglis Easter yearling sale consignment will be available for inspection at Stable 4 as from this Wednesday, March 29.
