Chase Maujean keeps Winter Darling at it to beat Tiger Quest (JC Photos)
It is rare to see a beaten horse coming back to grab victory in the final 50m and supporters of the Australian-bred Tiger Quest would have already been spending their winnings – that is until Chase Maujean got the Announce filly Winter Darling to rally from nowhere and grab honours in the R150 000 Listed Banyana Handicap at the Vaal on Saturday.
What a finish!
When Gavin Lerena sent topweight Tiger Quest sailing past Winter Darling inside the 250m marker, it looked to be race over. But Chase Maujean and longshot Winter Darling had other ideas and they came right back to nab the smart Dom Zaki sprinter on the line.
The winning jockey when asked about his herculean effort, observed rather modestly afterwards that he ‘simply kept her balanced and didn’t stop riding!”
With Stan Ferreira’s well-performed Winter Passion having her first run on sand and catching the eye, Tiger Quest eased out to 5 to 2 from an opening call of 12 to 10.
Winter Darling was always in the firing line, but Gavin Lerena looked to have timed his effort perfectly on Tiger Quest as he went for home at the 250m marker.
At that point Winter Darling looked beaten but she came right back in the final strides to win a cracker.
Societi ran into third and produced a good effort as she was reported making respiratory noises in running.
Stan Ferreira’s 16 to 10 favourite Winter Passion was never going well and finished second last and 12,25 lengths behind.
A R25 000 Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale graduate, Winter Darling was prepped by David Rahilly and bred by J Marais – she is by Announce out of the Wolhound mare, Something Winter.
Winter Darling has now won 2 races with 6 places from her 14 starts and R205 375 in stakes. A handsome return on investment!
