Digging Deep! Chris Puller gets low to guide Fairyinthewoods to a good win in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes (Equine Edge)
Jockey Chris Puller celebrated a storming 100 to 1 hat trick at Kenilworth on Saturday, which culminated in a great win aboard Fairyinthewoods in the R125 000 Listed Olympic Duel Stakes run over the straight 1200m track.
Chris Puller is a nephew to the legend of the saddle Garth Puller, and while those may be huge boots to fill, the young man is an extraordinary talent when he puts his mind to the level of commitment demanded of the top flight rider. He was on song on Saturday and his treble included a double in the royal blue and silver hooped silks of Hassen Adams.
Fifteen fillies went to post with eventual winner Fairyinthewoods vying for favouritism with the Jet Master filly Fly By Night and the Snaith’s Varikate.
The latter showed the way early until apprentice Girish Goomamy decided to take Lifes Design out to lead.
Money Surger was further back with Fly By Night and Intimateconnection tucked in.
At the 300m Fly By Night was unleashed by Karl Neisius and she came forward to tackle Varikate.
But Chris Puller had things under control and he switched Fairyinthe woods through a gap. With a powerful (at times awkward looking) left handed driving ride, he got her to rally beautifully.
Fairyinthewoods ran on strongly to catch the free striding Fly By Night inside the final 200m to stride clear and win well by 0,40 lengths in a time of 75,49 secs.
This was the 3yo’s fourth straight win. She looks very promising.
Sweet Aria took off late to run third as La Patineuse had nothing more to offer in the closing stages.
The Milkwood Stud bred Fairywinthewoods is by Count Dubois out of the twice winning Al Mufti mare, Woodland Fairy.
She cost R350 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1.
Fairyinthewoods has now won four of her five starts for stakes of R196 250.
