Mustaaqeem beaten as Africa Rising finishes strongly to win at the Vaal
Dreams of a triumphant return to the track for 2016/17 Equus champion twoyear-old Mustaaqeem were dashed at the Vaal yesterday.
The odds-on favourite could only manage fourth is an eight-horse race, won by Africa Rising.
The star colt had been off nine months but on paper looked in a different division to the opposition he faced and was in fact best weighted and a banker bet for many. The next best weighted horse at the weights, Africa Rising who was eight points behind or out 4kg with Mustaaqeem ran to his rating producing a strong finish to win and took shrewd players to the next level in the exotic dividend department. Trained by champion trainer Sean Tarry Africa Rising's victory confirmed signs of a resurgence in the stable’s form.
Commenting on his website prior to the race, trainer Mike de Kock was positive about Mustaaqeem in speaking about his work and wellbeing but did urge some caution saying he couldn’t predict with the utmost confidence how the Redoute’s Choice colt would go.
Not only was Mustaaqeem returning from quite a break but he was also coming back after surgery to remove a small knee-chip.
Mustaaqeem was up with the pace but just didn’t look like quickening up enough to challenge for the win let alone show the form that saw him win his juvenile events by widening margins. He was beaten by less than a length and obviously needed the run. Like most racehorses of his quality he should be forgiven ring rustiness.