Swoop! Regal Eagle gallops on strongly under Craig Zackey to catch Showmetheway
Passionate KZN owner breeders Avison and Mary Carlisle have a smart sort on their hands in the Silvano gelding Regal Eagle. The 4yo looks a very progressive sprinter in the making and beat a good field in the R115 000 Makro Pietermaritzburg Pinnacle Stakes run over 1200m at Scottsville on Sunday.
The nine horse field included some capable sprinters, including former Joburg Merchants winner Jackodore, who made a lot of the pace.
There was drama during the canter down to the start, when Regal Eagle unseated apprentice Craig Zackey, only to startle his stablemate Guantanamera, who in turn unseated jockey Alec Forbes and bolted. Regal Eagle never got away from his jockey, while Guantanamera was caught and passed fit to race.
At the start, the Dennis Drier trained Phantom Fighter flyjumped and lost a few lengths, as Sports Coach and Jackodore led Showmetheway.
At the 400m marker the cavalry charge was spread across the track with Jackodore galloping strongly as Keagan De Melo bounced Showmetheway into a two length advantage.
Happy Family! The Carlisles lead in their champion
Showmetheway continued to run inside the final 200m as Craig Zackey pressed the button on Regal Eagle.
Zackey changed the whip from his left to his right hand as Regal Eagle corrected himself and powered on courageously late to grab Showmetheway on the line.
He won by 0,25 lengths in a time of 68,94 secs.
Jackodore stayed on well for third after being in the attack all the way, while Wild Type ran on strongly late for fourth.
Winning trainer Duncan Howells said that he had always known that the son of Silvano was progressive and would improve as a 4yo.
“I’d love to own a horse like this. He was unlucky on July Day and raced wide after missing the kick,” he said.
Apprentice Craig Zackey said that he had been working the winner and he had been given a ‘fascinating’ feel.
Well known faces on KZN racecourses, owner breeders Avison and Mary Carlisle, had their entire family on course to enjoy the win.
Avison Carlisle is on the board of the SA Jockey Academy, and has always taken an interest in the development and welfare of the young jockeys.
“I am thrilled about the win, but I am so pleased for Craig. In his first year he was a shy young man who seemed lost in many ways. He spent a weekend with us and he has come along in leaps and bounds. We regard him as a very promising youngster,” he said.
Regal Eagle started a generous 11 to 2 with bookmakers, but ended up tote favourite in an open race.
He has an exemplary race record and has won 5 races with 3 places from only 8 starts, and took his stake earnings to R274 775.
The upwardly mobile Regal Eagle is a son of Silvano out of the Carlisle family’s Exclusive Patriot mare, Polish Rebel, who raced in the same silks and retired a five time winner.
The winner was bred by the Carlisle’s Kinmount Stud.
We should see plenty yet of Regal Eagle.
