High Flyer! Sky Pirate (MJ Odendaal) powers through to win the Allez France Handicap
Weiho Marwing’s Sky Pirate relished her first step into the female staying ranks, when she accounted for a fair field in Saturday’s R125 000 Allez France Handicap run over 2200m at Turffontein.
The good looking Sky Pirate, who had only previously won up to a mile, was one of five 3yo’s in the field, and her inexperience was expected to count against her.
With the field reduced to thirteen runners after the scratchings of Himalayan Hill, Alessandria and Pearl Rush, the non black type feature took on an even more open appearance.
Tyrone Zackey’s Go Deputy filly Sacred Temple, eventually jumped a lukewarm favourite.
Mike De Kock’s 3yo Qin Wei went out at a strong gallop from early on and she carted the field along, ahead of Salutation and Turkish Delight. The favourite Sacred Temple was near the rear for much of the journey.
Into the home straight, Qin Wei continued to show the way with Salutation looking dangerous and Monpazier trying to find a finish.
There were not many running on as Sky Pirate swept forward inside the 300m marker with Salutation hanging on doggedly and Qin Wei falling away.
Sky Pirate stayed on well under a balanced ride by MJ Odendaal to hold a flying Heyouneverknow (what a tough cookie this mare is!) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 138,59 secs.
The gallant mare Salutation held on courageously for third and just shading a fast finishing Moikavano, who came from some way back.
The weak 7 to 2 favourite Sacred Temple disappointed and finished seventh 3,75 lengths behind.
Other disappointments were the Mike De Kock coupling of Qin Wei and Atlantic Oak.
They occupied the last two places with Atlantic Oak finishing four lengths in front of the pacemaking Qin Wei, who fizzled to nothing.
The 3yo Sky Pirate is a Maine Chance Farms bred daughter of the deceased Victory Moon out of the three time winning Mi Cielo mare, Sky Bells.
Sky Pirate looks particularly smart value for her R80 000 National Sale price tag and took her earnings to R205 300. She has won 3 of her 6 starts with 2 places registered.
