Courageous! River Crossing storms clear to beat Coltrane and Gifted For Glory (Equine Edge)
Anton Marcus put the Jet into his Met when rounding off a great day as he steered River Crossing to an impressive win in the R400 000 G2 J&B Jet Stayers run over 2800m. The traditional Met day curtain call produced an exciting finish as the shadows lengthened over the Southern Suburbs venue.
The seventeen horse field jumped in front of the stands with an excited crowd lining the rails to experience a rare happening in most of their lives. The sights and sounds of a pack of thoroughbreds jumping from the metal cage sure gets the adrenalin going.
With the only mare in the race, Ilha Bela, installed favourite the chances of an upset always looked on the cards, although River Crossing naturally had some smart money support.
And the De Kock grey never got into the race from her wide draw as MJ Byleveld took Tippuana Moon out to lead Master Chi and Look After Me, with Coltrane further back in running.
Ilha Bela was relaxed by Kevin Shea and three lengths ahead of the slow starting PE challenger Drumminor, who was last.
The order remained the same but Yeni moved Coltrane up to within a length of the free striding Tippuana Moon as they turned for home.
Stablemates Gifted For Glory and River Crossing made their run simultaneously at the 300m marker, as Muzi Yeni slipped Coltrane through down the rail to overtake Tippuana Moon.
With the gap between Tippuana Moon and Gifted For Glory disappearing momentarily, Marcus never stopped riding and determinedly forced his way through to put River Crossing’s head in front a few strides from the post.
River Crossing eventually burst through the tight gap and went on to win by 1,25 lengths in a time of 178,04 secs.
Coltrane shaded Gifted For Glory (who returned distressed) for second, while the recently castrated Wavin’ Flag plodded into fourth.
It was an eventful final stages of the marathon, with River Crossing carried inwards by Gifted For Glory, which was shifting in away from the whip in the closing stages.
The luckless Cigar Boy, who finished unplaced, was bumped by Wavin’ Flag which had been switched in to continue its run at the 250 m.
The favourite Ilha Bela made up a little ground by could only manage a well beaten sixth. Her best days are probably behind her, but she will make an exciting broodmare prospect.
Mike Bass enjoyed a happy ending to his Met day with a first and a third placed finish, and River Crossing could yet set himself up for another shot at the Gold Cup.
This was his first win since scoring in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Greyville in June. Considered a July candidate, he never quite sparked but stays well when properly ridden and in the mood.
Varsfontein Stud bred River Crossing is by the deceased Caesour, out of the British bred Irish River mare, Rubicon, who is a two time winner in France. Her next dam is a full sister to Machiavellian.
River Crossing was registering his sixth win from 27 starts, with 10 places.
He took his earnings to R549 940.
Results Gr2 J&B Jet Stayers (SAf-Gr2) Kenilworth, South Africa, February 1, R400k, 2800m, turf, good, 2.58.04 1 – 1RIVER CROSSING (SAF), 57.5, b g 6, Caesour (USA) – Rubicon (GB) by Irish River (FR). Owner Messrs W D Mealing, Bryn Ressell, N M Shirtliff & S A Smorenburg; breeder Varsfontein Stud; trainer MW Bass; jockey A Marcus 2- Coltrane (ARG), 56.0, ch g 5, Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Nuance (IRE) by Rainbow Quest (ANY) 3- Gifted For Glory (SAF), 56.0, b g 5, Silvano (GER) – Badger’s Gift (SAF) by Badger Land (USA) Margins: 1¼, nk, hd
