Pretty Young Thing Leads Home A Crawford Prix Du Cap Trifecta.

[Original Article - https://www.turftalk.co.za/p-y-t-is-a-thrilling-hit-for-jackson/]

Pretty Young Thing’s surprise win over stablemate Front and Centre in Saturday’s Gr3 R200 000 Vasco Da Gama Gr3 Prix Du Cap over 1400m at Kenilworth came at an opportune time for her sire Jackson, her breeders, Ridgemont/Highlands and the vendors who have entered Jackson’s offspring to next Friday’s BSA Cape Yearling Sale at the Mistico Equestrian Centre.

There will be 10 Jackson lots on offer at Mistico, and their connections will undoubtedly remind prospective buyers of this fluent win by a three-year-old filly named after one of Michael Jackson’s top hit songs on Thriller, the best-selling music album in history.

P.Y.T. has been and will be enjoyed by generations of humans, and with Jackson’s runners showing their worth in recent months, his breeders will be hoping he can, eventually, have the same influence on equine generations as his own sire, Dynasty.

There is a long way to go still, but Jackson’s recent success is encouraging, and Craig Kieswetter of Ridgemont/Highlands commented: “They didn’t finish in the order we thought, but to win full black type for Jackson on a day like this is exciting for the farm. The Jacksons don’t run as early as people want, but they are quality horses with a lot of character.”

Jockey Greg Cheyne rode a clever race, using his mount’s gate speed. He said: “Pretty Young Thing has run some terrific races in trying conditions. She was super well today, I had to commit early from her wide draw and she flew out of the gates. “I got my position near the rail and went three lengths clear early, I knew she has a great turn of foot so it suited us. She sustained her run to the line,” Cheyne added.

Trainer Brett Crawford complimented Cheyne on his enterprising ride and added cheers to Jackson, and his breeders. “Pretty Young Thing gives her all, coming in off bottom weight today she was definitely going to be a runner,” he said.

Finishing second and third were also Brett Crawford Trained in the Prix Du Cap, with Front And Centre and Shamrock Wind completing the trifecta for the yard in the fillies feature.