Veteran trainer Joey Soma last won the R1 250 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies in 2014 with Fort Wood’s smart daughter, Athina. At a wet Turffontein on Saturday he repeated the feat when Fiery Pegasus overcame a rather frustrating recent form-line to register a career peak success under Richard Fourie.
Fiery Pegasus (Richard Fourie) wins the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Run in driving rain, the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara produced a minor turn-up with the fancied and previously undefeated Spumante Dolce, who coincidentally races in the same silks as Soma’s 2014 winner Athina, failing to repeat her scintillating effort in the first leg.
After Sensoria had led Bakwena and Willy Meet Again, Richard Fourie started unwinding Fiery Pegasus down the middle, as Spumante Dolce also looked to have plenty in the tank.
Inside the final 300m, Fiery Pegasus (17-2) had given her field the slip and she ran right away from them to beat Olivia’s Way (17-2) by 4,75 lengths in a time of 114,71 secs for the 1800m.
World Of Alice (20-1) looked dangerous late, but was beaten a further 2,25 lengths into third, with VJ’s Angel (3-1) crowning the quartet.
Thrilled Fiery Pegasus connections enjoy the Grade 1 success (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Richard Fourie said that the winner had ‘alot in her favour and the question was the trip’.
“Mr Soma changed the bit and we rode her cold. I ended up behind the biggest danger. The track is heavy now. But she made it up quickly. A top run,” added the reigning national champion.
Charismatic trainer Joey Soma was thrilled saying ‘we love winning the Grade 1’s’.
“We earmarked this race for her as a 2yo. The whole family on the dam side is stamina.Her work was outstanding. I am thrilled for all the owners. A great team effort,” he added.
A R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Fiery Pegasus was bred in partnership by Greenacres Trust and Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud and is a daughter of speed champion Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Scorched.
She is raced in partnership by Messrs J R Blumberg,D Chinsammy,R G Coppin,E Naicker,B M Nassif, G, K & M M Nassif,Mr B & Mrs K Ncube,MGAS Bloodstock, Kisten Pillay Racing (Trevelen) and took her tally to 4 wins with 4 places from 10 starts and stakes of R1 167 500.
The third leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara is the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 29 March.
