Drakenstein Stud’s inform sire What A Winter looks to have a very exciting two-year-old to his name in the form of Winter Smoke.

The latter made a dazzling, winning debut at the Vaal on Thursday for trainer Ashley Fortune and jockey Lyle Hewitson.

Sent off the 7-4 tote favourite, Winter Smoke demolished her rivals when romping home to an eight and a quarter length debut win over 1000 metres.

Out of the Cataloochee mare Chatanooga Chuchu, Winter Smoke was a R150 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.

The filly is the seventh two-year-old winner this season thus far for four time G1 winner What A Winter, whose promising two-year-old daughter Trickster recently provided prominent owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen with his first South African win.

What A Winter could be poised for more juvenile success this weekend, with his sons Princekresh and Tread Swiftly both runners in Saturday’s G3 Godolphin Barb Stakes.

South Africa’s Leading First Crop Sire of 2016-2017, What A Winter has had another fine season in 2019-2020 with his flagbearers including the G1 winners Clouds Unfold (Bidvest Majorca Stakes) and Russet Air (Cape Flying Championship).