Craig Zackey was another jockey at Turffontein on Saturday to take advantage of a Weichong Marwing feature substitute riding opportunity, when he overcame a wide barrier gate on the Azzie’s Arctica to win the R150 000 Listed Wolf Power Handicap in rather straightforward fashion.
Craig Zackey keeps his head down as Arctica sticks to his task (Pic – JC Photos)
Jump quickly. Get a rail position. Track the leader. Go for home at the 350m marker. That’s about how simple the plan was for the talented Zackey, who won his race at the jump by using his initiative to get across and ease his mount up.
Arctica ran fifth in this race last year but had not won in close on a year when he went to post largely unfancied on Saturday.
After tracking Tandava all the way around, Arctica was sent for home halfway down the straight, but came under fire late from Fareeq and Kings Archer. But the Azzie charge was in a galloping mood – and it helps when the yard is in form.
Craig Zackey kept Arctica at his task and nicely balanced to resist the late challenge of Fareeq and Kings Archer. He won by a half length in a time of 97,86 secs.
Kings Archer also stayed on smartly 0,30 lengths back in third, with Secret Captain making steady progress into fourth.
Arctica was a third winner on the afternoon for the Azzie team and was registering a long overdue maiden stakes success.
A R225 000 National Yearling Sale buy, he has won 5 races with 13 places from 27 starts and stakes of R553 650.
He was bred by Wicklow Stud and is by Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the Irish-bred Little Grey Wolf (Indian Ridge).
