Johannesburg Backed Into Favouritism

10th May 2007

With less than three months to run of the Australian racing season former world champion two year-old Johannesburg has been backed into $2 favouritism with Sportingbet Australia to be crowned leading Australian first season sire by individual winners.

Now leading his peers following a recent flurry of winners, Johannesburg sits atop the table with nine winners, one clear of his stablemate Rock of Gibraltar.

Originally quoted at $6 when betting commenced last August, Johannesburg has been a big firmer of late along with Rock of Gibraltar who is now at $2.50 having opened at $10.

The success of Johannesburg is not unexpected as he was a champion juvenile and has achieved outstanding success in the Northern Hemisphere from his base at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

He is currently also running second on the American second season sires list with 17 winners including the Group One winner Scat Daddy.

Rock of Gibraltar has been the real surprise packet with many of the best judges in the business suspecting his stock might have taken time based on what they saw at the yearling sales in 2006.

What could not be predicted was that so many of his offspring would throw markedly to their dam side resulting in a slew of quality winners right from day one when Murtajill captured the Listed AJC Breeders Plate in race record time.

Rock of Gibraltar may be one winner behind Johannesburg, but his five individual stakes-winners stamp him as potentially an outstanding stallion.

Click here for Australian First Season Sire information.

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