Sean Tarry’s consistent Klawervlei Farm Sale graduate Forest Express registered some well-deserved black type when she beat four opponents home to win the R150 000 Listed Spook Express Handicap at the Vaal on Thursday.
In a field reduced to five runners after scratchings, Forest Express went off at 9-10 and despite a slow pace got up late to win.
Lyle Hewitson gets Forest Express up to win (Pic -JC Photos)
Favourite backers would have been on the edge of their seats and sweating 300m out as the 2400m race developed into a sprint.
Taking her time to get going, Forest Express slipped through down the inside rail to nab Gottalottaluv and win by a half length in a time of 156,44 secs.
Bated Breath threatened late and grabbed third, with Silver Thursday weakening late to run fourth.
Owned by Chris Van Niekerk, and bred by Klawervlei, Forest Express has now earned R363 799 and took her win tally to 4 with 5 places from 13 runs.
She is a daughter of sprinter-miler Oracy (Zabeel) out of the twice winning Fort Wood mare, Wood Manor. She was purchased for R15 000 off the 2016 Klawervlei Farm Sale.
The Avontuur sponsored SA champion jockey Lyle Hewitson conceded that there was no pace on and his mount had taken her time to unwind.
“She showed tenacity and they made it tight down the inside. But she showed heart and ability,” he said.
Forest Express has won 3 of her last 4 starts from 2400m to 2600m.
