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It may have taken some time, but the victory was no less sweet when Varsfontein-bred Surcharge won the Gr.1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville.
An unlucky runner-up in all three legs of the Triple Crown, the handsome son of Gimmethegreenlight finally broke through at the top level with a rousing come-from-behind victory.
Held up at the rear of a classy field, the colt had it all to do as they swung for home, but he came alive in the straight and powered home for a well-deserved first Classic success.
An emotional Pettigrew labelled him, “the best horse I have ever trained and ever will train. He will be an even better horse as a four-year-old.”
We almost pulled off a Gr.1 double on the day when Fiorella (Captain Al) was narrowly beaten in the Woolavington 2000. The Varsfontein-bred has never shirked the issue and after upstaging superstar Snowdance in last month's Gr.2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, she almost spoiled the party for that one's stable companion, the Met winner Oh Susanna.
Cleverly ridden, Fiorella slowed it right down and when joined by Oh Susanna at the top of the straight, she matched her stride for stride. In an epic struggle, the favourite was all out to prevail in the dying strides and win by a half length.
Fiorella and Oh Susanna go head to head in the Gr.1 Woolavington 2000.
 Fiorella outguns Snowdance in the Gr.2 Fillies Guineas.
The day had started on a high note when the Varsfontein foaled and raised duo of Made To Conquer and Strathdon fought out the finish to the Gr.3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, the pair having engaged in a private duel from virtually the top of the straight. Only in the final jump did Made To Conquer thrust his head in front.
Varsfontein graduates Made To Conquer and Strathdon contest the finish of the G3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.
He joins Sabina's Dynasty and American Landing as one of a trio of stakes winners this past month foaled and raised at Varsfontein on behalf of breeder Michael de Broglio. Sabina's Dynasty won Turffontein's Gr.2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes on Champions Day, while her full brother captured the Listed East Cape Derby a week later. Remarkably, all three are by Dynasty.
JUDPOT'S SON RULES
Racing is a great leveller, it lifts you to new heights and can plunge you into the depths of despair.
The month of May would fit into the former category, for after our run of seconds in Graded company at the Classic meeting, the wheel of fortune finally turned on Champions day.
Gr.1 success for Judpot's admirable son Coral Fever.
It proved a momentous occasion for Judpot, who sired his fourth Gr.1 winner in the shape of Gr.1 Premiers Champions Challenge winner Coral Fever. Robbie Sage's charge stormed to a career best success while claiming the notable scalps of Triple Crown winner Abashiri, ruling Horse of the Year Legal Eagle and dual Gr.1 winner Nother Russia.
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His sire was narrowly denied a Graded double when our homebred Bi Pot ran a gallant second in the Gr.2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes, victory going to the Varsfontein-foaled and raised, Sabina's Dynasty (below).
While Surcharge had to settle for a third Classic second in the Gr.1 SA Derby, fleet-footed Green Plains saved the day for
Gimmethegreenlight when she ran away with the Gr.2 Camellia Stakes. None of her rivals could hold a candle to her as she sauntered home by more than four lengths.
 Green Plains first, the rest nowhere.
Ghaalla, the Var filly we sold for a then record price of R5.2 million at last year's Nationals, also added to the farm's fortunes on the day. She backed up her gutsy debut victory with a late-charging second in the Gr.2 SA Fillies Nursery.
HIGHVELD ACCOLADES
Our rich haul of stakes success during the Highveld season was rewarded when we scooped up the Champion Breeders award at the recent Highveld Feature Season Awards ceremony.
Adding further lustre to the occasion, Judpot's son Coral Fever received the highest accolade when he was named Highveld Horse of the Season.
The five-year-old hardly set a foot wrong in three starts, running second in the Gr.2 Hawaii Stakes, before claiming both the Gr.2 Colorado King Stakes and the ultimate prize, the Gr.1 Premier's Champions Challenge.
FIRST STAKES WINNER FOR MASTER OF MY FATE
 Twist Of Fate wins the Listed Somerset 1200.
Master Of My Fate enhanced his status as a freshman sire when he celebrated a first stakes success, courtesy of juvenile son Twist Of Fate landing the Listed Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth.
Joey Ramsden's charge came with a sustained finish to outduel stable companion Arabian Air by a head, while Gimmethegreenlight's son Crown Guardian was next best.
This was the third win from five starts for the talented colt, who appropriately, was also his sire's very first winner.
His dam Crescent Lily (Counter Action) won the Listed Breeders Guineas and hails from the family of Durban July hero Heavy Metal and the Gr.1 winners Planetary Music and Drum Star.
 Mum-to-be Cosmica Sidera at Haras du Buff.
Our French-based Galileo mare Cosmica Sidera has been confirmed in foal to champion juvenile Wootton Bassett.
A full sister to Gr.3 Chester Vase winner and Irish Derby third Orchestra, the five-year-old was purchased at the 2015 Tattersalls October Sale as a yearling and was trained in France by David Smaga.
She retired to the paddocks late last year as a stakes-placed winner of two races, having gained small black type when second in the Listed Prix du Grand Camp. Her first mate, a champion juvenile in France, is already sire of multiple Gr.1 winner Almanzor.
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