Confidence is a major asset in the armoury of any big race jockey and Richard Fourie coupled that by stretching his luck to near breaking point with a bold ride from the front on Joey Soma’s Fiery Pegasus to win the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks at Turffontein on Saturday.
A bold ride from Richard Fourie on Fiery Pegasus (Pic – JC Photos)
A winner of her maiden over 1160m as a 2yo, the daughter of Captain Of All has proven a revelation as the leading filly of the 2025 Wilgerbosrdift SA Triple Tiara, after winning the final two legs, following a fourth in the opener.
On Saturday, Fourie took the 4-10 favourite out to lead, picking the best going and leading by ten lengths at some points during the 2450m contest.
While Fourie was clearly keeping something in reserve, he had emptied his chamber at about the 200m, but the gallant filly kept at her task as World Of Alice flew inside the final stages.
At the line, a short head separated them with Fourie delivering the goods in a time of 161,65 secs.
Craig Zackey looked to have clinched it on World Of Alice (4-1), but a heartbeat was the difference.
Cocomelon (20-1) ran into third, with Hat’s Queen (50-1) capping the quartet.
A R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Fiery Pegasus was bred in partnership by Greenacres Trust and Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud and is a daughter of speed champion Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Scorched.
She is raced in partnership by Messrs J R Blumberg,D Chinsammy,R G Coppin,E Naicker,B M Nassif, G, K & M M Nassif,Mr B & Mrs K Ncube,MGAS Bloodstock, Kisten Pillay Racing (Trevelen) and took her tally to 5 wins with 4 places from 11 starts and stakes of R1 636 250.
