Muzi boots home two, skilfully!

Muzi Yeni rode two excellent races for Mike de Kock at Turffontein – the first, a well-timed ride on Good Queen Bess to put his 100th winner on the board this season; the second, a well-judged ride on Spring In Heaven.

Good Queen Bess came from a few lengths off the pace to win a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m by a short-head from Juliet Tango and Muzi said: “The plan was to lead, but she wasn’t well out the pens so I had to switch to Plan B. When we turned for home she wanted to run out so I let her, but she hit a big flat spot at the 500m mark. But she helped me, she got her engines going and got there when it counted.”

Good Queen Bess, right, got there in the nick of time.

Mike de Kock commented: “She’s a filly with ability but she has been frustrating. Her light weight was key today, and the blinkers were off. We’ve had them on and off and today she was quite relaxed, she impressed me. She’s bred to go a mile-and-a-half but she’s never given us any indication that she’ll go that far. Well done to (owner) Mary (Slack) for her patience, she wanted to take Good Queen Bess to stud, but I asked her to keep her in training as I felt she had more wins in her.”

Good Queen Bess is a six-year-old by Kingman out of Golden Reign, by Champs Elysees.

Spring In Heaven, also favoured by her light weight, was sent about her business from near the pace. Muzi held on to her though, didn’t extend her until the pack started charging and for a few seconds looked as if they’d swallow her right up. Given more rein, she kicked again and won a good race.

Spring In Heaven, nice win!

Muzi said: “She didn’t relax in the back straight and I think once she matures she’ll settle better and have an even stronger finish. She was well prepared.”

Mike assessed: “She’s a nice filly and her sire Heavenly Blue gets his winners, he upgrades his mares and he is versatile. She can win the right type of black-type race.”