There was little to stop the Sean Tarry-Lyle Hewitson express at Turffontein on Saturday and it was the Visionaire gelding who overcame a hesitant start and traffic issues to win the R450 000 Gr2 Merchants at Turffontein on Saturday in a thrilling finish.
An elated Lyle Hewitson takes the Merchants on Africa Rising (Pic – JC Photos)
Sparingly raced, the 2017 Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Africa Rising produced the peak performance of his career when, ridden with confidence, he burst out of the pack at the 150m mark after running into traffic issues, to catch and beat the dangerous looking Romi’s Boy who ran a courageous race.
The 17-1 Africa Rising registered a time of 67.21 secs for the 1160m when getting the better of 25-1 shot Romi’s Boy by 1,40 lengths with Captain And Master rattling through late for third over a distance short of his best.
The fancied Rivarine fell away after moving up to run second last and 9,35 lengths off the winner. This was not his run!
The Gr1 placed Africa Rising was bought by Chris van Niekerk’s Rainbow Beach Trading for R625 000 at the CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale.
He has won 7 races with 4 places from 12 starts for stakes of R1 449 500.
Bred by Summerhill Stud, Africa Rising carries the distinction of being the first stakes winner of his sex for Visionaire when winning the Byerley Turk last year. He is out of the once winning Braashee mare, Sucha Looka.
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Gr2 Merchants (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, December 1, R450k, 1160m, turf, good, 1.07.21
1 – AFRICA RISING (SAF), 54.0, ch g 5, Visionaire (USA) – Sucha Looka (SAF) by Braashee (GB). Owner Mr C J H van Niekerk & Portapa (Pty) Ltd T/A Supabets (Nom: Mr P Anastassopolous); Breeder Summerhill Stud; trainer SG Tarry; jockey L Hewitson
2 – Romi’s Boy (SAF), 55.5, b g 5, Querari (GER) – Larking Around (SAF) by Montjeu (IRE)
3 – Captain And Master (SAF), 54.0, b c 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Scorched (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
Margins: 1.40, 0.20, 1.00
