The Cape raiding combination of jockey MJ Byleveld and trainer Vaughan Marshall were on the mark with a 100% strike double at Fairview on Friday. The 5yo Horse Chestnut gelding Chestnut’s Rocket overcame a year-long drought to register his second consecutive victory in the R100 000 November Stakes.
Chestnut’s Rocket (MJ Byleveld) strides clear to an easy win in the Fairview feature (Pic: Coastal Photos)
Chestnut’s Rocket loves the Fairview polytrack and it was almost exactly a year ago to the day when he disposed of Ottimo to win the 2014 non black-type November Stakes.
On Friday he was in a galloping mode again and registered his personal double in smart style when bursting clear down the centre to run away from his rivals.
The race panned out perfectly for the raiders as the winner’s former stablemate Black Toga showed the way ahead of Pacyano, as the Avontuur-sponsored Byleveld had Chestnut’s Rocket beautifully positioned in third.
The pair edged into second position on the turn and were perfectly poised for an assault in the short dash for home.
When Byleveld pressed the button into the 300m marker it was race over as Chestnut’s Rocket won going away by 3 lengths in a time of 81,02 secs.
MJ Byleveld – winning double
Another Cape visitor in Mike Bass’ Laurie’s Gold ran on strongly for second, ahead of topweight Distinguished under replacement rider, Barend Vlooh.
Chestnut’s Rocket has always been an above average sort and won the Gr3 Byerley Turk in 2014 in a career peak effort. He is also stakes placed.
His Joburg campaign when tried on the Vaal sand earlier in 2015 was less of a success but he is bound to be back for more in the Eastern Cape on this surface – where he really is so effective.
A winner of 7 races (3 of those at Fairview) with 7 places from 24 starts, Chestnut’s Rocket took his stakes earnings to R567 050.
A R130 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Chestnut’s Rocket was bred by Arc En Ciel. He is by the ill-fated Horse Chestnut out of the four time winning Jet Master mare, Wish On The Wind.
Byleveld and Marshall were on the mark in the second race when the Sail From Seattle 4yo Summer Cruise finished with a powerful late burst to get up and register her second win from twelve starts.
