Australian bred gelding Fearless Gun is on the verge of a black-type victory in South Africa after a career-best second in the G2 Emerald Cup (1450m) at Vaal on Saturday.

Fearless Gun (5g Bite The Bullet – Show No Restraint by Barathea) was beaten by Phunyuka in a thrilling finish to South Africa’s premier event on sand.

Bred by Baramul Stud’s Gerry Harvey, Fearless Gun was sold to Gunter Reimer for $40,000 at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions Summer yearling sale.  He has won 7 races from 31 starts and has now banked R576,000 (AUD 90,190).

The Aussie-bred gelding went into the Group 2 with an unbeaten record over the course and distance but was allowed to go out at 28-1.  He stormed home in the straight but Phunyuka (Slew The Red) had enough in reserve to score by a length.

Fearless Gun is by Bengalla Stud sire Bite The Bullet and his dam Show No Restraint is a winning half-sister to Kiwi filly Slanchyvah (Kaapstad) who won a Listed Doomben Classic.  She was also runner-up in a Group 1 at Ellerslie.

Show No Restraint has a 3yo filly ready to debut for trainer Matthew Smith.  Named Chocaholic, she is by General Nediym and was placed in a Warwick Farm trial earlier this month.  Owner Frank Cook, who races Eagle Farm stakes winner Satsang, bought her for $100,000 at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

Show No Restraint’s 2yo is an Elvstroem colt named Pull No Punches.  He was passed-in for $30,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions and is now stabled with Caulfield trainer Rick Hore-Lacy.

The Vaal meeting was one of near misses for Australian-bred starters.  Giant’s Footprint (4g Giant’s Causeway – Smart Company by Mister C) and The Giant (6g Giant’s Causeway – Twyla by Danehill) also finished second in minor events on the Emerald Cup card.