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As expected dual Gr. 1 winner, All Is Secret and Sunshine Rock(AUS) started short favourites to win the R200 000, WFA Group 2 Graham Beck Memorial Sceptre Stakes(1200m) at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Photo by Liesl King
Both however had to bow before an upcountry raider, the Gary Alexander trained Blueridge Mountain(ARG), who started at odds of 14/1.
Held in memory of Graham Beck, one of South Africa’s leading breeders, the race has a history of being hotly contested and this year was no different.
Ridden by Sean Cormack, Sunshine Rock took the early lead up the standside rail, with Blueridge Mountain and Glen Hatt on her tail. Champion jockey Anton Marcus on All Is Secret elected to keep a close watch on both, sitting in second one off the rail. Blueridge Mountain refused to settle and raced keenly through the first 1000m, before the hefty 60kg’s on her back began to take its toll.
Photo by Liesl King
As the mare started to fade and with All Is Secret drifting slightly wide, Glen Hatt swung Blueridge Mountain into the gap and into the lead. All Is Secret however, was not giving in that easily and the two three-year-olds duelled head to head over the final furlongs, before Blueridge Mountain got the upper hand close to the line.
Despite the headwind, the daughter of Giant’s Causeway crossed the line in 1.12.34 on a good track, with All Is Secret in second 0.75 lengths back. Miss October under Gerrit Schlechter flew up for third, a further 0.4 lengths back, with a tired Sunshine Rock only managing fifth.
Owners Mrs I Jooste and Mr M J Jooste are enjoying a purple patch with Variety Club winning the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for them last Saturday, before Blueridge Mountain added some more silverware to the cupboard. All Is Secret is also part owned by Mr Jooste.
A strapping chestnut, Blueridge Mountain by Giant’s Causeway(USA) out of the Distant View(USA) mare Skyline Drive View(USA) has been lightly raced and was recording only her second victory in five starts, more than doubling her earnings to date.