The Mike Azzie-trained Abashiri stamped himself close to the top of the class when running out a comfortable winner of the Gr2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein yesterday. Given a confident ride by Karl Zechner, the Go Deputy colt hit the front some two furlongs out and kept on strongly to hold a fast finishing Champagne Haze and a hard-chasing Malak El Moolook.

An emotional Azzie was all praise post-race comparing Abashiri to his past champion National Currency – high praise indeed. Abashiri has a pedigree that could carry him all the way to the Triple Crown with the SA Classic next on the agenda.

Zechner had his mount up with the pace throughout as Anthony Delpech committed early on Suyoof in an attempt to overcome his wide draw.

It proved a failed ploy as Suyoof compounded early in the straight leaving Albashiri a clear run to the wire. Malak El Moolook tried hard to stay with the winner but came up short while Champagne Haze came from well off the pace to snatch second.

A tongue-tie proved what was needed for Sean Tarry to lift consecutive Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas trophies as Heaps Of Fun kept finding under S’Manga Khumalo to out-gun favourite Negroamaro.

S’Manga Khumalo took the daughter of Visionaire to the front and slowed the pace up to suit with Anton Marcus wise to his plo, tracking him aboard Negroamaro. Both jockeys went for broke a long way from home but try as she may, Negroamaro was not able to make up the leeway as Heaps Of Fun showed brilliant courage to keep finding to the line. Frosty Friday stayed on for third ahead of She’s A Dragon.

Earlier, Bernard Fayd’Herbe rode a typically powerful finish on Captain Aldo to snatch the G2 Hawaii Stakes away from the game filly Lazer Star with favourite Ice Machine a neck back in third.

Lazer Star looked to have the race in the bag 50m out but Fayd’Herbe muscled Captain Aldo to the front one jump from the line.

Ice Machine, as is his want, came from last but the line came just too soon.

Andrew Harrison