In a thrilling finish to the R150 000 WSB.co.za Listed Irridescence Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday, Ridgemont Highlands rider Greg Cheyne got the Jackson filly Bonika up to shade Richard Fourie on Miss Marguerite in the shadow of the post.
Ona beautiful sunny winter’s day at the Southern Suburbs track, the outcome went to the judge, with ace racecaller Rouvaun Smit leaning towards Bonika on the outside, but without any certainty.
Bonika (Greg Cheyne) ranges up on the outside of Miss Marguerite (Richard Fourie) in a great finish
A R15 000 bargain buy off the first online mare and weanling sale by Kathi Kotzen, who was looking for a companion for one of her horses, Bonika made it three wins with four places from eight starts and took her stakes tally to R233 100 with a courageous victory.
“She was beautifully bred and Glen and I went across the road to have a look at her. We liked her and thought we would take a chance at R15 000. We couldn’t go too far wrong at that price and she has really done so well and has so much heart,” said a thrilled Kathi, wife of Woodhill Racing conditioner Glen, who spoke to the Sporting Post from Durban.
While it was Bonika’s first trip beyond 1200m, the daughter of former Ridgemont Highlands -based sire Jackson (Dynasty) had shed her maiden early on at Durbanville and coped admirably with the turn.
Running on strongly late in the race after Lady Mistico had done the donkey work, Bonika (6-1) got the verdict by a head from tote favourite Miss Marguerite (3-1) in a time of 96, 95 secs.
The fancied Ciao Bela (3-1) had every chance but had nothing to came and stayed on tamely in third, a further 1,75 lengths back.
Bred by Alec Foster, the winner is a daughter of now Gauteng-0based sire Jackson (Dynasty) out of the three-time winning Captain Al mare, Petala.
Assistant trainer Des Mclachlan did the honours.
