There were four Gr 1 events on a bumper card at Turffontein on Saturday and only one of them went the favourite’s way as What A Winter finally claimed the Computaform Sprint, producing a devastating late burst to deny Via Africa. Welwitschia and Valberg filled the minor placings in this Gr1 contest over 1000 m.

As expected, Via Africa showed good pace on the stand side with Valberg disputing the lead in the centre. Mannequin was very quick up the inside with Sharp Design also showing good early toe.

Via Africa kicked for home about 300m out and soon had the chasing pack in trouble. The exception was What A Winter who gradually started to wind up for his final effort. He reeled in Via Africa remorselessly and went on by to register a famous victory, following his two previous placed efforts in the race. In doing so, he underlined his status as the country’s champion sprinter. Mike Bass’s stable star is set to bow out after the Mercury Sprint in July and his stud career will be even more eagerly awaited after this win.

Via Africa turned in another top effort in defeat while Welwitschia and Valberg also came out of the race with their honour intact.

The first Gr 1 on the card was the SA Nursery for juveniles over 1160m. Cape raider Red Ray was all the rage but was unable to peg back 8/1 shot Willow Magic from the Sean Tarry yard. The winner was always prominent, racing up the centre, as Tommy Gun and Jimmi Choo showed good early pace as well.

Willow Magic kicked clear at the 300m mark with Red Ray setting off in pursuit but coming under a ride. By the time he found his stride the bird had flown and Willow Magic had nearly two lengths to spare at the line. Red Ray lost his unbeaten record but his connections deserve full credit for making the trip up from Cape Town and he will soon make amends for this defeat. The first two home look to be headed for big things as they had the rest of the field well beaten.

Later in the day it was the turn of Heavy Metal to assert himself, giving Tarry a big double in the process, as he ran on strongly to cause a 40/1 upset in the richest race on the card, the Presidents Champion Challenge over 2000m. Well handled by S’Manga Khumalo, the son of Silvano settled in fourth place as Shogunnar went out to lead from E-Jet and Mujaarib. Master Plan was next best with Knock On Wood and Whiteline Fever further back in the pack.

E-Jet was quick to challenge for the lead in the straight and, with stablemates Whiteline Fever and Heavy Metal moving in ominously, it looked as if the Tarry contingent might complete a clean sweep. Shogunnar was still battling away, though and Knock On Wood also started to make inroads.

There were at least five runners in serious contention entering the last furlong but Heavy Metal had the most in hand and he forged ahead late to win by nearly two lengths and land by far his biggest payday. Knock On Wood confirmed that he is one of the most improved horses in training by finishing a creditable second while a game Shogunnar rallied to take third place from Whiteline Fever.

The SA Derby rounded off the Gr 1 action and this 2450m contest proved a triumph for trainer Weiho Marwing as the progressive Wylie Hall saw off stablemate Gothic after a hard-fought battle.

Havjng already won the Derby Trial, Wylie Hall sat in fifth place as Balse led from Tequila Sunrise, Gothic and American Storm. War Horse was next best with Wild One further back iand favourite Tellina stone last, about 16 lengths off the pace.

Tequila Sunrise made a bold bid soon after entering the straight but Gothic was quickly on to him. Wylie Hall started a forward move with War Horse as Wild One also started to get going. Tellina came to the outside for his run but still had a mountain to climb.

Gothic and Wylie Hall had beaten off the rest entering the last furlong and it was the latter who found the most under pressure to win by half a length. Wild One continues to hold form well and did enough to secure third from Tellina, who made up a huge amount of ground but could not summon up any extra in the crucial last 100m.