3 minute read

On a day when the weather did not quite play along, the crowds still turned up in full force at the Vaal Racecourse for the seventh running of the Grade 2 Emerald Cup over 1450m.

While Art Wish from the Robbie Sage yard started favourite, the on course talk was all about the Sean Tarry runner, The Mouseketeer.

The four year old colt by Kahal had won his first start on the sand in a convincing manner despite the distance being a tad too short. Tarry was confident that The Mouseketeer would improve with the increase in distance and in a bold move decided to stay with 20 year old Mauritian apprentice jockey, Nooresh Juglall.

Alimony was slow away from the gate, while The Mouseketeer from the number one draw settled in 2nd behind Comedy Caravan. Burmese Cat and Bouquet Garni also came forward to sit just off the leaders, while Sayadaw settled in his usual position at the back of the field, 16 lengths of the leaders.

With Comedy Caravan leading the field into the home straight,

Juglall eased The Mouseketeer into the centre of the track with 400m to go. The colt picked up the speed and with 200m to go, The Mouseketeer drew clear of the field to win by 1.75 lengths. Eastern Cobbler came flying up late to grab second ahead of a tiring Comedy Caravan, who finished a further 3.25 lengths back.

An ecstatic Juglall stood up in his irons and saluted the crowd in true Mauritian fashion as he crossed the line. A just reward for the youngster who rode a picture perfect race to win his first Grade 2. Tarry commented that Juglall has a great affinity with The Mouseketeer and that while he lacks experience, he is a good judge of pace and is a class rider.

The Mouseketeer, who recorded his 6th win from 13 starts, is the youngest winner of the Emerald Cup. The Kahal colt out of the Northern Guest mare Look Sharp, is owned by popular racing presenter Neil Andrews and Francois Diedrechsen.

Final Result:

No Horse Jockey Kg Fin Dist Time SP

11 THE MOUSEKETEER Nooresh Juglall *0.0 54.0 1 0.00 88.75 13-2

5 EASTERN COBBLER Gavin Lerena 55.5 2 1.75 89.08 9-1

10 COMEDY CARAVAN Muzi Yeni 54.5 3 5.00 89.69 50-1

1 SAYADAW Randall Simons 60.0 4 6.75 90.03 15-2

12 ACROSS THE ICE Robbie Fradd 54.0 5 7.25 90.12 8-1

2 STORM CROSSING Tshwaro Appie *0.0 58.5 6 7.75 90.22 6-1