Midlands breeder Bruce le Roux of Spring Valley Stud was thrilled when an expensive plan came together at Greyville on Super Sunday courtesy of the Duncan Howells-trained Var filly A Womens Way.
The filly cantered down to the start exceptionally well and returned full of running, despite jumping from a wide draw, and just got up under Ian Sturgeon.
Gr2 thrill for A Womens Way
Le Roux said, “It was only her second start and it was a Gr 2, so she has already done what she needed to do and everything from now on will be a bonus.”
Le Roux owns the unbeaten Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm Stud-bred filly in partnership with Tinus Gericke.
Le Roux had travelled to last year’s CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January in search of a well-bred filly by either Var or Captain Al.
He said, “In my opinion A Womens Way was the nicest filly on the sale, but I didn’t think I would have the money.”
A Womens Way wins on debut
Her full sister had cost R900 000 at the previous year’s National Yearling Sale.
Le Roux’s fears were exacerbated when he saw how good A Womens Way looked upon being walked out of her box. He asked for her to be returned to the box almost immediately!
When the bidding quickly reached R400 000 he became demoralised and was ready to throw in the towel, but his wife jabbed him in the ribs and said “if you want her you must get her”, so he plugged on and managed to land her for his maximum of R500 000.
He said, “We were lucky to get her for that price.”
Mike Shaw – his work made the difference
A Womens Way has got her ‘little quirks’ according to Le Roux and in her second start had to be scratched after being loaded first and then rearing and dumping the jockey.
Michael Shaw is gaining an increasing reputation as a “horse whisperer” and he put in plenty of work at the stalls with A Womens Way, which enabled her to regain her starting stall certificate. Michael was also with her at the start on Sunday, where she was perfectly well behaved.
Michael hails from the famous Laird clan. He is the son of Summerveld trainer Therese Mitchley, who is the daughter of Russel Laird, brother of Syd.
Russel was a fine trainer in his own right.
Le Roux said Howells was of the belief A Womens Way would stay up to a mile in time, so the CTS US$500,000 Sales race to be staged at Turffontein next January over 1600m might be on the cards.
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