Snitzel Colt Unlikely To Press On

Heavenly Blue (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), undefeated in two starts for trainer and part-owner Mike de Kock, was declared an unlikely runner in the G1 Premier's Champion S. July 30, with the trainer citing a poor draw and the questionable racing surface at Greyville Racecourse in Durban.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud and Cloros Bloodstock, Heavenly Blue, an A$200,000 purchase by Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock out of the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, broke his maiden at first asking over 1600m at the Vaal May 19 and most recently cut back to 1400m to take a Juvenile Plate at Turffontein by 3 1/2 lengths July 9.

“Heavenly Blue is a well-bred and beautiful-looking grey,” the trainer told South Africa's Sporting Post. “We stepped him out over a mile to win his Maiden and then he dropped 200m in distance to win a 1400m Juvenile plate against stronger. That was impressive, so the right signs are there, but I'm always cautious to make an assessment before they've come up against top quality horses. I'm not convinced Heavenly Blue has beaten anything of note. He has drawn 21 for the Premier's S., so it will be a risk taking him down to KZN to race on what is currently a poor track and from a wide draw. He'll possibly just stay at Randjesfontein and we'll save him for the Gauteng summer. Potentially he is a Classic horse,” de Kock added.

Heavenly Blue is the eldest of three foals from Simply Carina (El Prado {Ire}), herself a daughter of American four-time Grade I winner Astra (Theatrical {Ire}). The mare's foal of 2014, a filly by Smart Missile (Aus), was knocked down to Paul Moroney Bloodstock for A$270,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She produced a full-sister to Heavenly Blue last October.