Jet Power! Ilsanpietro (Anthony Delpech in red cap) collars Dubai Gina to win the J&B Jet Stayers
Big race days are just not complete without a Mike De Kock winner, and the SA Champion trainer took the final bow of Met day with Ilsanpietro’s courageous win in the R300 000 Gr2 J&B Jet Stayers.
The 2800m event, formerly known as the J&B Reserve Stayers, provides plenty of excitement with the start in front of the grandstand and while this year’s field was smaller than the average of the past few years, the crowd was treated to an exciting start – and an even better finish.
The race also marked a career peak for Ilsanpietro.
The Brazillian bred son of Mark Esteem achieved his best ever win here, having won at Gr3 level previously.
The Good Wife. Diane De Kock receives the trophy from Tom Fowler
A battle hardened 6yo, Ilsanpietro fought on relentlessly to outstay his nine opponents in a rousing four cornered finish, accompanied by the droning beat of the on course disco music.
The finish provided an appropriately exciting climax for a great day.
The race was uneventual with Grey Cossack leading for most of the trip from Two Strikes, A Boy Named Sue and Ilsanpietro. Paddy O’ Reilly was at the rear for much of the journey.
Into the home straight Grey Cossack came under early pressure as Punta Arenas and Blake moved forward powerfully.
At the same instance, the well supported Dubai Gina began powering home wide out, but she had no answer to Ilsanpietro’s limitless stamina. In an exciting tussle, Delpech maintained his composure to get the better horse home.
He went on to win by a neck and started at 7 to 2.
His winning time of 177, 99 secs was almost four seconds outside the course record.
Joey Ramsden’s Crown Of Gold cracked on powerfully to deny the one paced Blake of third position, while Elley’s Punta Arenas looked dangerous down the inside, but faded out in the final 100m.
Winning jockey Anthony Delpech, who had sat kicking his heels in the jockey room from the sixth race, said that Ilsanpietro was an honest horse and a good stayer. He said that this was a perfect race for him, but they were few and far between.
He also added with a look of relief that the pace was on for a change.
Mike’s wife Diane saddled the winner and said that their runners had travelled well. Viva Maria had earlier run unplaced in the Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes.
Bred and raced by Fazenda Mondesir, Ilsanpietro is by Mark Of Esteem out of the four time winning Ghadeer mare, My Little Life.
A winner of stakes of R1 872 400, Ilsanpietro has been a consistent servant.
He has now won 9 races from 40 starts with 19 places into the bargain.
Result:
J&B Reserve Stayers (SAf-G2) (2/2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, February 2, R300.000, 2800m, turf, good, 2.57.2
ILSANPIETRO (BRZ), 57.0, b g 6, Mark Of Esteem (IRE) – My Little Life (BRZ)
by Ghadeer (FR). Owner Fazenda Mondesir; bred in Brazil; trainer MF de Kock;
jockey A Delpech (187.500)
Dubai Gina (AUS), 53.5, b f 4, Dubai Destination (USA) – Anemometer (GB) by
Sunday Silence (USA)
Crown Of Gold (SAF), 56.0, ch g 4, Silvano (GER) – Palace Bride (AUS) by
Palace Music (USA)
Margins: nk, 1¾, nos
