Greg Cheyne extracts a late rattle from Faro De Sa Juan to get up in a six furlong handicap at Chester (via Facebook)
Newmarket-based Dylan Cunha’s rise in fortunes in an ultra competitive environment continued when he sent out former France-based horse Faro De San Juan (Almanzor) to win a six furlong handicap at Chester on Saturday ridden by fellow South African ex-pat Greg Cheyne despite starting odds of 25/1.
Cheyne extracted a flying finish from the four-year-old gelding on the ultra tight track to land the first prize of £6,115.20 for owners Quest Thoroughbreds & Jack Thomas.
Cunha goes to seven wins overall in his time in England, achieved at a strike rate of 13%, but six of those wins have come this season and he has done it at a high 21% strike rate.
His charge Silver Sword is still standing his ground in Saturday’s lucrative Golden Gate Stakes over one mile and two furlongs at the Royal Ascot meeting, in which the first prize is £51,540.
Cheyne rode the three-year-old Silver Sword to second place in a handicap on Epsom Derby day and will no doubt retain the ride.
Silver Sword has an ante-post quote of 16/1 but 45 horses are still standing their ground and only 16 will be allowed to run.
Cheyne has had three wins in eleven rides in the UK for a strike rate of 27%.
