Witwatersrand pours it on late in G3 Mazarine

TORONTO, November 4, 2023 – Witwatersrand, under an enterprising ride from Patrick Husbands, took top prize in the $150,000 Mazarine Stakes (G3), Saturday at Woodbine. 

The 1 1/16-mile main track event attracted a field of six 2-year-old fillies, including Gary Barber’s Witwatersrand, a daughter of Connect, bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and trained by dual hall of fame conditioner Mark Casse. 

Mystic Lake broke sharply and was guided to the lead by Tyler Conner as Uphill Dance grabbed a seat in second and was followed by Witwatersrand, 3-5 choice Tripolina, Simply in Front and That Girl Artemus through an opening quarter reached in :24.31. 

It was status quo through a half in :48.91 with Mystic Lake holding a half-length advantage over Uphill Dance, while Husbands kept a patient hand aboard Witwatersrand, who continued to track from along the rail in third. 

Mystic Lake was still on top heading into the final turn, but Uphill Dance, Witwatersrand and a circling Tripolina loomed as major threats to the frontrunner. In mid-stretch, Husbands roused his charge off the rail and the pair seized control quickly as Tripolina came calling. 

Witwatersrand had plenty in reserve and drew away in the final yards for a confident 2 ¾-length triumph in a time of 1:43.72. 

“No matter who she works with in the morning, she’ll play with them,” said Husbands. “She is a nice filly, and Mark knows, everybody knows, she’s a nice filly.”

It was the second straight stakes engagement for Witwatersrand (a 56-kilometre-long, north-facing scarp found in South Africa), who was third in the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes on October 15. She broke her maiden in her debut, a three-quarter length score at 6 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine Tapeta on September 1.

Witwatersrand (Hip 8) topped the Fasig-Tipton October Digital Sale when sold for $230,000 (U.S.).

She paid $10.30 for the Mazarine win. 

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms