The R175,000 non-black-type November Stakes, ended up being a tight contest with the 8/10 shot Khaya’s Hope edging out Port Louis, the main market rival. 

Khaya’s Hope, drawn wide, was settled off the pace and started his run with a quick accelerate burst at about the 400m mark towards the outside of the track with rival Port Louis going towards the inside, running equally gamely under Richard Fourie's urgings. It was then only between the top two in the betting when long-time pacemaker Al Qaasim relinquished the lead into the straight. Despite the former Cape-based Port Louis putting up a commendable fight at 16-10 odds, Khaya’s Hope emerged victorious by a neck, finishing in a time of 81.75 seconds. In all honesty, the race was never in doubt up the straight as Khaya’s Hope quickened nicely and sustained his run throughout the straight. This was particularly impressive as he was not having the most optimal run either in comparison to Port Louis from the wide draw. He was by far the best even though the raw result says differently. 

The final stretch of the race saw Tarantino (50-1) making a notable surge to claim third place, 2.25 lengths behind the top two. Narcos (14-1) followed closely in fourth, separated by a mere neck.

Khaya’s Hope is by the up and coming stallion The United States out of a Danehill Dancer mare, Miss Khaya.

At 7 wins and 7 places from 15 starts his stakes earnings stands at just over R700k.

Gavin Smith trained with Louis Mxothwa in the irons.

4RACING/Pauline Herman image