Storming Home! Nooresh Juglall guides Storm Crossing to a smart win in the Aquanaut Handicap (JC Photos)
The R150 000 Listed Aquanaut Handicap provided a jolt in the final leg of the Turffontein Pick 6 on Saturday when the Dominic Zaki trained Storm Warning stayed on best over the energy sapping soft ground of the 2450m. The son of Jet Master was backed from double figures into 8 to 1 and obviously had his supporters.
The field of twelve that lined up in the longest race of the day included some quality stayers at the top of the handicap. But it was left to a progressive 4yo to outstay the whole lot under a hard riding Nooresh Juglall
The Barbadian led Tiger Play and Sky Rise with Baracah just ahead of Seal and Storm Warning settled at the rear.
Into the home run The Barbadian continued to lead as Tiger Play who had been snapping at his heels the whole way challenged strongly.
The eventual winner Storm Crossing had turned for home near last but was seen making up ground and cutting down his rivals in a clinical display of galloping.
Just as Yer – Maan and Tiger Play looked set to fight it out, Juglall produced Storm Crossing on the outside rail and he stayed on best to beat the strong finishing Yer Maan by a half length in a time of 158,47 secs.
Tiger Play plodded into third, while The Barbadian stayed on for fourth after running prominently for much of the race.
The topweight Seal encountered traffic problems up the straight and was switched in and out by jockey Marthinus Mienie. He stayed on for a modest sixth placing and was reported coughing after the race.
S’IL Vous Plait and Money Flows were reported by their respective riders to not have acted in the going.
Sky Rise and The Barbadian were hanging in in the latter stages, while the Dynasty mare Tresco made respiratory noises and ran stone last.
The daughter of Dynasty was going for five wins in a row.
Bred by Luke Bailes, Storm Warning is by Jet Master out of the five time winning Fort Wood mare, Olympic Storm.
He was sold for R200 000 on the National Yearling Sale.
Storm Warning has now won 4 of his 18 starts with 10 places and R350 950 in earnings.
