Australia wins 'Via Africa'

THE Chris Waller-trained Australian racehorse Autumn Glow has become a global sensation after making it ten wins unbeaten when winning the Aus $1 million Gr1 Verry Elleegant Stakes run over a mile at Randwick on Saturday and this is a triumph for South African thoroughbred breeding, because she is out of the former Duncan Howells-trained Equus Champion Sprinter Via Africa.

- DAVID THISELTON

Her success is good news for Cape Town-based racing man Rod Mattheyse because he not only has a share in Via Africa, but also has an interest in her family in South Africa.

Rod noticed a small share was available in Via Africa in Australia a few years ago and said, "I decided to take it up and one of the main reasons was because I owned her half-sister by What A Winter out here called, I Like It Hot."

The good news is that the speedy I Like It Hot, who won one race for Dennis Drier in KZN and one for Tara Laing in the East Cape, is now producing at stud.

Rod revealed, "Her first foal is a Rafeef filly who is on the Race Coast Sales Premier Yearling Sale in a couple of weeks' time.

She now has a Thunderstruck at foot and is in foal again to Rafeef."

He added, "The Rafeef on the Sale is a first foal, but she is high quality and very correct. She is beautiful."

He continued, "The Thunderstruck... well call me a breeder, but she's an absolute bomb! She's obviously got a bit more Var in her than the Rafeef one.

But I can't wait for the next Rafeef to come around as she throws a bit of scope to him as well."

Zoustar

Meanwhile Via Africa is in foal to the most expensive stallion in Australia, Zoustar.

She is standing currently at Widden Stud.