Aussie Metro Winners for Joburg

9th July 2008

Johannesburg featured with a two state metropolitan double on Wednesday with Welkom Gold successful at Gosford and Merit scoring at Sandown.

The Ratings 71 event over 1100 metres at the metro meeting at Gosford was won by talented three year-old Welkom Gold (3g Johannesburg x With Ease Louise, by Luskin Star), a $30,000 yearling purchase from the draft of Southern Cross Breeders at the 2007 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale.

The Darren Smith trained gelding jumped quickly and showed his customary turn of foot to slide straight forward to the lead and was in control throughout, kicking clear on the turn and then holding off a late challenge to score by a long neck.

With three wins and a second from four starts, Welkom Gold has done pretty much all that could be asked of him to this point.

Bred by Sydney bloodstock investor Gordon Henderson, who retained a share along with partner Suni Carnes, Welkom Gold was foaled and raised at Byerley Stud and is the eighth named foal of the Luskin Star mare With Ease Louise, who was retired from stud duties last year.

His sire Johannesburg also tasted success at Sandown where three year-old gelding Merit (3g Johannesburg x Mademoiselle, Our Poetic Prince) scored over 2400 metres, his third win from 13 starts.