In August, the Klawervlei-bred 5-year-old Back In Business, ridden by Muzi Yeni, claimed victory in the Listed Spring Spree Stakes, seen as pipe opener for the Spring season in Joburg Demonstrating the same talent as that win, he secured his sixth win from just 11 starts, with a decisive move along the rail that gave him a 1.50-length victory over a well backed Barbaresco, who ended up dead-heating with the promising 3-year-old longshot Dawson trained Wild At War. The winner clocked a time of 86.63 seconds for the 1450m event. The only female jockey in South Africa, Rachel Venniker also had a notable day, riding her second winner on the card aboard, the first on Atarime in the third race for trainer Paul Matchett.

The exceptionally good looking 5 year old gelding Gladatorian trained by Stuart Ferrie and ridden by Sean Veale were likely pleased with the consistent effort, who finished fourth in the race. Gladatorian finished just 1.50 lengths behind the dead-heaters, making the trip worthwhile for his connections. Meanwhile, the heavily backed favorite, Main Defender, failed to fire after a ten-week break. Sent off at 17-10, the son of Pathfork finished a disappointing seventh, 4.70 lengths adrift of the winner—a result that surely wasn’t the ideal start to his Betway Summer Cup preparation.

Back In Business, who races for ANOA (Pty) Ltd with Andria Dannhauser as the nominee, was bred by Klawervlei Stud. The son of Captain Al stallion William Longsword, out of the three-time winning Var mare Enchanting Cathy, was a R325,000 purchase at the National Yearling Sale. With this victory, he now boasts two stakes wins and has increased his total earnings to R725,750.