Article courtesy of Sporting Post: Trainer Brett Crawford saddled his second Hong Kong-connected Cape Guineas winner when the Varsfontein-bred Kilindini stormed to an impressive victory in the R1 million Gr1 classic at a sunny Kenilworth on Saturday 21 December.
Crawford’s previous Guineas victory came in 2013 when Bernard Fayd’herbe piloted Elusive Gold to victory in the Grand Parade Investments sponsored feature for owner Mr C W Hui.
Sail From Seattle’s maiden Gr1 winner, Elusive Gold was subsequently exported to Hong Kong – a likely path for Kilindini after Saturday’s success.
Bred on the Silvano-Jet Master cross that produced earlier winner Hawwaam, the Edmond Siu owned Kilindini tentatively placed another piece into the current classic puzzle when he soared to an almost effortless victory off an enterprising ride by Corne Orffer.
The Crawford Racing rider caught the opposition napping when bouncing Kilindini clear of his field down the inside at the top of the straight.
Unexposed at feature level previously, Kilindini came in off a 99 rating and easily beat a collection of Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 feature winners rated anywhere from 115 down.
Galloping on powerfully and virtually unchallenged, Kilindini (8-1) held his stride all the way to the wire to beat the staying on and supremely consistent Viva Rio (20-1) – who was best of the Concorde Cup top four – by 1,75 lengths in a time of 99,83 secs.
Stablemate to the winner, Macthief (8-1) finished without threatening to secure third a further 1,75 lengths back.
Snaith’s Wild Coast (15-1), whose rider picked up a crop infringement sanction, was 0,30 lengths back in fourth, with Eden Roc (6-1) finishing best of the Gauteng raiders to run a 3,90 length fifth.
Kilindini was purchased by Tony Millard at the 2018 BSA National Yearling Sale for R2 800 000.
Kilindini was born on 3 November 2016 weighing in at 55kg. He is pictured here with his dam Kiss And Fly who is by Jet Master.
Kilindini prior to the 2018 National Yearling Sale