Second Grade 1 victory in seven weeks for Bull Valley

Report: South Africa Saturday

Greyville: Mercury Sprint (Grade 1), 1,200m, turf, 3-y-o+

Bull Valley (Sean Tarry/Karl Zechner) landed his second Grade 1 in seven weeks when overcoming an interrupted preparation to lead inside the final furlong and beat Search Party – friendless in the betting, drifting to 20-1 from 8-1 – by a length, with Gavin Lerena’s mount New Predator a head away third. The 9-2 winner is a son of Toreador, who was trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Tarry, who also won this with National Colour 11 years ago, said: “The Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville had been a long-term plan and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to run him again this close – he normally takes more time between races – and I was a bit anxious.

“Then he came up with an abscess seven to ten days ago and I was prepared to pull the plug. He is a very brave horse and I'm just thankful we were able to keep him going.”

Zechner was more confident about the outcome, saying: “I worked him during the week and I thought it was winning work. I had a nice draw and I left him where he was happy. When we turned for home he glided towards the leaders and I knew I had it.”

But the sensation of the race was the winner’s stablemate Trip To Heaven, who started 5-2 favourite. The five-year-old has long had a reputation for losing ground at the start but he took this to new heights here.

When the gates opened he stood stock still and didn’t move until the leaders had gone ten lengths clear. He really motored in the straight and at the line he was sixth, little more than two and a half lengths adrift of the winner.

Mercury Sprint result