Sargent Soqrat has been a somewhat tricky customer, he's needed things to go his way - and jockey Kabelo Matsunyane timed his run perfectly to keep the gelding going for a narrow win in a Maiden Plate over 1400m at Turffontein on 13 November.

Sargent Soqrat started at long odds, but his earlier form shows good runs to decent three-year-olds including Chronicle King, Golden Warrior and Copper Eagle. The handicapper thought he was as good as a Mr80 just a few months ago.

"He's a horse that always works well, but we tried him over ground and that didn't suit him, so we brought him back to 1400m. We've also added a tongue tie for his last few starts. Thank you to the owners who have been patient with him," said Francois Naude, assistant trainer.

"He showed a nice turn of foot, but he was looking for the line the last 50m," said Kabelo, who made his move at the 250m and held off a flying late challenge from Power Of Pearls.

Sargent Soqrat was a first winner for Darrell Bailie, a member of a partnership that also includes Hansie Schutte, Ashveer Harilall, Deena Reddy, Xander Spies, Rob Macnab and Jannie de Lange's Waste Glass Recovery.