Trainer Tobie Spies celebrated a cracking start to his SA Champions Season campaign at Greyville on Friday evening when the lightning fast Potala Palace filly Singforafa went all the way to beat her stablemate Me Time in the R200 000 Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes.
Craig Zackey glances behind as Singforafa storms home (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
The daughter of Ridgemont Highlands’ massive value Singspiel sire Potala Palace, who is set to stand this season again for a fee of R5000, made it two wins from four starts when she burst away from her field under Craig Zackey to score at 10-1 by 1,25 lengths in a time of 65,92 secs.
Her more experienced stablemate Me Time made good late headway to hold off the Cape raider and favourite Vandah’s Spirit, who had every chance.
The top two have underlined the form of True To Life who runs in the Gr2 SA Nursery at Turffontein on Saturday.
Bred by NJ Swart from the thrice winning Whistling Wood mare First Whistle, the winner races in the silks of the trainer’s Grandson Xander Spies, who has proven a lucky owner.
She took her stakes earnings to R199 500 and was described by jockey Craig Zackey as one of the quickest fillies he has ridden.
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Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, May 3, R200k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.05.92
1 – SINGFORAFA (SAF), 58.0, b f 2, Potala Palace (SAF) – First Whistle (SAF) by Whistling Wood (SAF). Owner Mr X Spies; Breeder NJ Swart; trainer T Spies; jockey C Zackey
2 – Me Time (SAF), 58.0, b f 2, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – What About Me (SAF) by Tiger Ridge (USA)
3 – Vandah’s Spirit (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Trippi (USA) – Mana Mou (SAF) by Captain Al (SAF)
Margins: 1.25, 1.30, 0.50
