On The Up. Sky Rise (Muzi Yeni) gets the better of Jet Fever to win the Gr3 RA Handicap (JC Photos)
The fancied Jet Fever looked a winner in the final stages of the R225 000 Gr3 Racing Association Handicap run over 3200m at Turffontein on Saturday, but was beaten by a determined Muzi Yeni on Sky Rise. The lightly weighted son of Fort Wood looks a progressive stayer in the making.
It is not often that any jockey gets past Piere Strydom in the final 100m of a race, particularly when Strydom looks to be moving with a double handful.
But Muzi Yeni was determined to cover his travelling costs on a quiet day at the office and he did a very professional job on the Chinsammy owned Sky Rise for Weiho Marwing.
With the stalls parked in front of the grandstand, the field got away on level terms, but the brakes were on as nobody was prepared to go out and make the pace.
Karl Zechner reluctantly took the Requiem mare Billy Jo to lead The Who and Patriotic Rebel,but the latter was eventually taken around to lead by Anthony Delpech to up the ridiculously slow early pace.
Patriotic Rebel showed the way all around as Delpech sat deadstill. Turning for home, Enchanted Guest and Jet Fever came forward to challenge Patriotic Rebel, who started to show the wear and tear of his efforts.
Jet Fever hit the front at the 300m marker as Sky Rise found a gap and chased after him, with Rhythmic Roxy kicking and staying on well.
With Jet Fever looking home and hosed and being hailed a winner, Sky Rise found his top stride and drew alongside to assert his authority and draw off to win.
The Fort Wood gelding won by a quarter of a length in a time of 210,82 secs.
Jet Fever maintained his form in second, while the filly Rhythmic Roxy ran a meritorious race in third.
The fancied Patriotic Rebel expended his energy early and failed to deliver the goods again. He ran sixth and twelve lengths behind.
Sky Rise has won 3 races with 3 places from 12 starts, and took his earnings to R247 925.
He was a R400 000 National Yearling Sale purchase.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, he is out of the two time winning Elliodor mare, Maisonette.
He only gets going after a mile and a half plus, but looks set to mature into a decent stayer.
