Flying High. Chestnut’s Rocket is guided home by MJ Byleveld to win the Listed Ibhayi Stakes (Coastal Photos)
Cape based trainer Vaughan Marshall and his stable jockey MJ Byleveld cleaned up at Fairview on Friday. Byleveld rode four winners, three of which were a genuine hat trick for his boss, with their smart Horse Chestnut 3yo Chestnut’s Rocket picking up the R150 000 Listed Ibhayi Stakes in impressive style.
The Ibhayi Stakes was the first leg of the R900 000 Eastern Cape Sophomore Challenge. The three legged series continues with the R150 000 Listed East Cape Guineas run over a mile on 4 April, and culminates in the R350 000 Gr3 East Cape Derby run over 2400m at Fairview on 11 May.
Whether Chestnut’s Rocket has what it takes to go all the way and win up to 2400m to clinch the R250 000 Challenge bonus remains to be seen.
He certainly won this race well enough, but the Marshall golden streak started with Ken Truter’s Australian bred mare Dubai Gina (11 to 20) winning the sixth race, a Conditions Plate over 2400m.
Chestnut’s Rocket’s feature win was the ham on the Marshall sandwich, while the grey recent maiden winner Anzac(22 to 10) powered clear to win the eight race, an MR 72 Handicap.
MJ Byleveld rode four winners at Fairview
Byleveld also won the second race on Ransom Of Choice from the Tara Laing yard, to launch a profitable day at the office.
The Listed Ibhayi Stakes hosted a field of eight 3yo males, as well as three brave fillies.
All the money was for the Marshall runner, who boasted excellent collateral form to subsequent Cape Guineas winner, Elusive Gold, in his formline.
In front from the jump, Byleveld maintained command of matters throughout the race and extended his lead into the final 200m as Chestnut’s Rocket powered on strongly to win by 6,50 lengths in a time of 83,89 secs.
Justin Snaith’s Glenton stayed on well for second to nab the free striding King Of Indians, who is one of the most consistent gallopers in training.
Glen Kotzen’s gallant Eye Of The Panther did best of the girls, to run a 7 length fourth.
Chestnut’s Rocket is a first SA bred stakes winner for Horse Chestnut and was bred by Arc En Ciel out of the four time winning Jet Master mare, Wish On The Wind.
All Smiles. Vaughan Marshall trained the fancied treble
He is a R130 000 National Yearling Sale graduate and took his earnings here to R235 300.
He has now won 3 races from 11 starts with 5 places.
Besides the Marshall celebrations, the afternoon was also a momentous one for Cape trainer Glen Kotzen who saddled a winner on the opening day of operations at his newly established Fairview satellite yard.
Kotzen’s longshot Albarakah is owned in partnership by Liane De Jager, Judy Wintle and Mike Wittstock, and was ridden by replacement rider, Kendall Minnie to beat the improved again Hostile Takeover.
