Australian bred champion Igugu franked her summer carnival prospects with a first-up victory in the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge (1600m) at Turffontein on Sunday.

Igugu (4f Galileo – Zarinia by Intikhab) cantered in by more than five lengths clocking 1.36.32s at her first run this season.  “I’m very happy with her,” trainer Mike de Kock said.  “Her next mission is the Paddock Stakes leading to the J&B Met.

“She will make huge improvement with that race under her belt.  It’s just a pity we can’t take her to the 2012 Dubai Carnival due to the export protocols.”

Igugu was crowned South Africa’s Horse Of The Year after winning 8 of her 10 starts in 2010-11. Bred and sold by Kia Ora Stud, Igugu cost $65,000 at the 2009 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale.

A G1 victory in the Durban July (2200m) capped a stunning season for the Australia bred filly.  She also swept the Triple Tiara comprising the G1 South African Fillies Classic, G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas & G2 South African Oaks by a combined margin of 20 lengths.

Igugu then trounced her rivals in the G1 Woolavington 2000 Stakes heading into the Durban July.  She also won awards for Champion 3YO Filly and Champion Middle Distance Horse.

She is a daughter of Coolmore champion Galileo and her dam Zarinia was bred by The Aga Khan from the family of his 2008 Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava (Zamindar).

Igugu’s 2yo half-brother Honorius (Holy Roman Emperor) ran fourth on debut to Fundido at Rosehill on Saturday.  He was retained by a Kia Ora syndicate and is with David Payne at Rosehill.

Zarinia doesn’t have a yearling for the 2012 majors but she foaled a Shamardal filly in September.