Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Jessica Owers
The Sydney 2-year-old scene has been particularly strong this season, and it was no different on Wednesday at Randwick’s Kensington meeting with the first race, the Heineken H., providing a one-two for perennial sire Snitzel.
The 1100 metre scamper was a competitive event in the betting, with the Annabel Neasham-trained Verne (Snitzel) a slight favourite ahead of In The Congo (Snitzel). In the end, both colts fought out the finish well clear of the field, with In The Congo prevailing for the Waterhouse-Bott partnership on his debut outing.
He’s a smart colt, a racy chestnut in the colours of Newgate Farm and China Horse Club.
Under jockey Tim Clark, In The Congo broke well from barrier seven, and showed a lot of early sprint to claim the lead. He stayed there for the entirety of the race, pressed briefly by Prasiolite (Written Tycoon) and then Verne, who had a less than ideal trip stuck to the rail.
The final margin was 0.57l for In The Congo back to Verne, with Prasiolite clutching third ahead of an eye-catching finish for fourth by Huriwai (I Am Invincible).
Better things in store
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was trackside at the meeting, and said it was good to see the colt win as he did.
“It was really nice to see him do that,” Bott said. “He did plenty of work early. Things didn’t necessarily go to plan for him, and he had to work across. But he still had to kick clear in the straight after doing that, so he’s done a lot of work but he’s handled it well.”
"It was really nice to see him (In The Congo) do that. He did plenty of work early. Things didn’t necessarily go to plan for him, and he had to work across." - Adrian Bott
In The Congo has a number of nominations for Queensland’s winter events, including the G1 JJ Atkins over a mile and the G2 Sires’ Produce S. across 1400 metres.
“Whether we look to go deep into a campaign there, or look at giving him a freshen up now ahead of the spring, we’ll let the dust settle and have a chat with Henry (Field) before making any decisions,” Bott said.
On-course, there were suggestions that Wednesday’s race would be a strong formline for the future, and Tim Clark wasn’t surprised to hear that.
Tim Clark and In The Congo | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s going about things the right way,” the jockey said. “Although he won today, and I’m very impressed with him, he’s shown things at home that are far greater than what he showed there today, so I think when he puts it all together, and gets it right, he’s got better things in store.”
Clark was aboard In The Congo for two previous trials, both at Randwick in late April and early May where the colt was third and first. Wednesday’s race was their first official outing.
Congo line
In The Congo is the second foal from the imported South African mare Via Africa (SAF) (Var {USA}), who arrived in Australia in early 2016.
Via Africa had a decorated career in her homeland, winning 10 races from 16 starts in which she was never unplaced. She was retired after a short stint in Dubai in 2015, and imported to Australia the following summer by Nordic.
She has since changed hands, and is owned by other South African interests. Via Africa is resident at John Kelly's Newhaven Park in Boorowa, NSW.
"She's a pretty promising mare," Kelly said. "Her first foal was the bloke in Hong Kong, and now this one, plus a pretty handy foal by Vancouver."
In The Congo as a yearling
Via Africa is the dam of three-time Hong Kong winner Pleasant Endeavour (Redoute’s Choice), while In The Congo was her second foal. He was sold to Newgate and China Horse Club for $350,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2020, while his Vancouver half-sister sold this year for $260,000 to Ryan Bloodstock.
"She's a young mare, but she's looking like she's going to be really good," Kelly added.
The studmaster watched In The Congo's race from Canberra airport on Wednesday, en route to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions National Sale where he has six weanlings for sale by six different sires, and an additional 16 broodmares catalogued for next week.
Via Africa was served by The Autumn Sun last season, who has his first weanlings selling at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale this week.
Vancouver x Via Africa (SAF) (filly)
