Outstanding mare Driefontein sent her prizemoney soaring past $2 million when she scored a resounding win in Saturday’s Group One Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse, Driefontein showed blistering speed from the start of the race and under the urgings of Vlad Duric she proved too good in holding out multiple Group One winner Platelet and classy filly Gregers.
“She’s a wonderful mare,” Waterhouse said of Driefontein. “She won a Magic Millions (Classic) at two and is now a deserved Group One winner.”
“She cost $75,000 and has won over $2 million and is worth another million as a broodmare.”
Waterhouse said Driefontein will now be given her chance to complete the Adelaide sprinting Group One double by contesting The Goodwood in two weeks time.
A graduate of both the 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale as well as 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Driefontein is another successful syndication for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds.
The $75,000 purchase boasts the outstanding record of eight wins (six at stakes level) and five minor placings and earnings of $2,144,205.
As well as her Sangster win, Driefontein has black type victories in a Group Three Sheraco Stakes, Group Three BJ McLachlan Stakes, Group Three RN Irwin Stakes and listed Widden Stakes.
As a two-year-old the outstanding daughter of Fastnet Rock won the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast.
She is one of five winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Follow Gold, a stakes winner herself.
A daughter of Export Price, Follow Gold won three races, all in Melbourne including two at two. She scored a valuable stakes victory in the AR Creswick Stakes at Flemington.
Her full sister Export Gold was also a black type victor, winning the Debutante Stakes at Caulfield as a two-year-old.
Export Gold has since proven herself at stud by producing Adelaide based Christmas Handicap winner Dubawi Gold and Singapore and Malaysian star Forest Gold.
Bred by Bylong Park Thoroughbreds, Driefontein is the 16th Group One winner for her sire, champion Coolmore Stud based Danehill horse Fastnet Rock.
Meanwhile also at Morphettville on Saturday, star three-year-old Gamblin’ Guru showed he was on track for the Group One South Australian Derby with a fighting win in the Chairman’s Stakes at Group Three level.
Capping a big day for the training partnership of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas, Gamblin’ Guru edged out fellow Magic Millions graduates Excites Zelady and Gravitational in a thrilling finish.
A handsome brown gelding by Derby hero New Approach, Gamblin’ Guru was purchased by Macdonald for $70,000 from the Mill Park draft at the 2012 Adelaide Yearling Sale.
He is one of two winners for the unraced Fusaichi Pegasus mare Glory Guru – a half sister to black type performers Gold Guru, Gallant Guru, Gazza Guru and Glitzy Guru.
Winner: Driefontein
Breeding: Fasntet Rock-Follow Gold (Export Price)
Race: SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $75,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds
Earnings: $2,144,205
Owner(s): Mrs AM Howlett, AJ Bealing, DK Dong, LA King, Dr ET Hodgson, Mrs I Murphy, JAJ Allen, C Tohl & Mrs SA Hardie
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse (Flemington)
PICS – Jenny Barnes.
