Aussie Group Two for Joburg
9th June 2008
Consistent colt Turffontein (3c Johannesburg x Spirit of Grace, by Dr Grace) was rewarded for his efforts when proving too strong for Royal Discretion in the Group Two QTC Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Monday to give Coolmore sires the quinella.
The Anthony Cummings trained three year-old tracked Royal Discretion (3g Royal Academy x Discretion, by Canny Lad) throughout before surging away to win 1600 metre classic by more than a length in a dominant display.
“He's a deserved winner,” Cummings said. “He's had good form all along through from Melbourne to Sydney to here. He can have a break now and come back for the spring.
“I think he's up to Group One level and a race like the Emirates at the end of the spring would suit him but there's some good race along the way.”
The Anthony Cummings trained three year-old tracked Royal Discretion (3g Royal Academy x Discretion, by Canny Lad) throughout before surging away to win 1600 metre classic by more than a length in a dominant display.
“He's a deserved winner,” Cummings said. “He's had good form all along through from Melbourne to Sydney to here. He can have a break now and come back for the spring.
“I think he's up to Group One level and a race like the Emirates at the end of the spring would suit him but there's some good race along the way.”
A $70,000 purchase for Anthony Cummings from the draft of Fulmen Park at the 2006 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Turffontein is the fourth foal and first stakes-winner for the Dr Grace mare Spirit of Grace, a half-sister to stakes-placed Bails and Broadband.
He comes from a prolific Black Type family that features Group One winners Alynda, Penny Gem and Hit the Roof, so there is no surprise to see him out there measuring up with the best of his age group.
Turffontein is one of 18 stakes-winners worldwide for Johannesburg, who is having an outstanding run in the Northern Hemisphere with French Group One winner Sageburg and US Group Two winners Eaton’s Gift and Looky Yonder.
Although not coming back to Australia this spring, his dual Group One winning son Scat Daddy will be available for his debut season 'down under' at a fee of $16,500.
