Back In Business cruises in under Rachel Venniker (JC Photos)
The progressive Joe Soma-trained William Longsword gelding Back In Business put in a scintillating display on Saturday at Turffontein Inside under Rachel Venniker to easily win the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m under Rachel Venniker by a cosy 1,50 lengths from the second favourite Barbaresco and the rank rank outsider Wild At War, who dead-heated for second ahead of the KZN raider Gladatorian with Melech next best.
Earlier, the Sean Tarry-trained Vercingetorix mare Celtic Rumours had landed bold black type by winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Fillies and Mares Challenge also over 1450m under Gavin Lerena.
Back In Business is now unbeaten in three starts this season and could prove to be the real deal now that he has come into his own.
He was way under sufferance with the hot favourite Main Defender.
However, the latter could only manage a 4,70 length seventh.
In any case it is a condition of the race that the winner can not be raised more than eight merit rated points.
Back In Business was given the full eight points to go to 114.
However, that is a capped rating. He ran well above that rating considering Barbaresco and Gladatorian are both rated 120 and he received only 1kg and 1,5kg respectively and beat then by 1,50 and 2,70 lengths respectively.
