Jet Powered. In The Fast Lane surges clear under a thrilled Richard Fourie to win the Fillies Guineas (Equine Edge)
Cape champion trainer Justin Snaith secured top honours in the first Gr1 race of the Summer Of Champions Season when the smart Jet Master filly In The Fast Lane made short work of her classy opposition to win the R1 million Avontuur Estate Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas run at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Snaith has an excellent record in the fillies features and In The Fast Lane confirmed her smooth Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship win at the end of November. The yard were victorious when both Captain’s Lover in 2007 and Ebony Flyer in 2010, won the same double.
The young trainer dedicated the victory to the memory of Nelson Mandela, who passed away just under 48 hours earlier.
A moment’s silence was also acknowledged and the jockeys wore black armbands to mark a sad time in South Africa’s history.
But little could dampen the celebrations of the Snaith Team and they once again showed the strategic value of a multi skilled support team in the professional modern horseracing environment. This was illustrated, with the winning trainer and the thrilled UK based owners heaping praise on leading Bloodstock Consultant John Freeman, for the role he had played in securing the winner.
Snaith , who had earlier dominated the Listed Southeaster Sprint, sent out a quartet of runners and it was his two Team Valor representatives, Highly Decorated and She’s A Pippa, who led the charge into the home run.
Justin Snaith. Loves the big days
Pure Power was neatly positioned in third as Highly Decorated led for home on a tight rein in the capable hands of Piere Strydom.
The field fanned out at the 400m, with many making forward moves.
Anton Marcus, who had a rare blank day, drove Alascan Maiden into the lead at the 200m, as Paul Reeves’ Sea Cat ghosted up her inside and looked a likely challenger. In The Fast Lane was making good ground up the centre of the track, and enjoyed a clear passage as she scythed through her field.
The Jet Master filly had them all flatfooted and she went away to win by a length in a time of 99,42 secs..
The Mike Bass trained Lanner Falcon ran a cracking second from her wide draw, while Gavin Van Zyl would have been heartened by Along Came Polly’s resurgence when staying on into third.
Alascan Maiden became one paced late and faded to run fourth, while Sea Cat, who ran a courageous race from an awful draw, may be best at 1400m, and should go on to win her races.
Racing Association CEO Larry Wainstein introduced Phumelela CEO Rian Du Plessis to the assembled spectators at the post race award ceremony and announced that every Gr1 next season would be run for a stake of at least R1 million. It was unclear as to whether this applied solely to the Cape.
Du Plessis thanked the sponsors and said that Phumelela hoped to grow the big day in the years ahead.
Michael Taberer, son of the late Avontuur supremo Tony Taberer, presented the trophies on behalf of the sponsor.
Winning jockey Richard Fourie said he was given a licence to ride In The Fast Lane ‘as I found her”.
Richard Fourie. Confident and very happy
“I was confident that she would win when we turned for home. She is going to get even better,” he said.
Snaith said that In The Fast Lane was a very hard horse to assess .
Full of smiles, he explained what he meant.
“She is so laid back, she is unconscious. She just stands there. I had no idea how she would perform today. But this was oh so super impressive. She just has so much scope, which makes her really exciting. I must thank our owners and John Freeman,” he said.
The winner is owned by Tony Phillips and Wood Hall Stud Limited (Nom: Andrew L Cohen).
Tony and Judy Phillips were on course to enjoy the win, together with UK breeder, Andrew Cohen
The Phillips’ were obviously elated: “John Freeman suggested we buy a few horses. This filly has exceeded our expectations and we have had a superb day,” the elegant couple explained.
John Freeman. Credited for his role
Andrew Cohen said that In The Fast Lane would be a great foundation mare for the ‘South African experiment’, in a reference to the partnership’s future plans for expansion.
In The Fast Lane was bred by Hallmark Thoroughbreds and is by Jet Master, out of the prolific winner producing six time winner, First Arrival (by Northern Guest).
She has earned at every time of asking, and took her win tally to 4 victories from 6 starts.
Her stake earnings soared to R830 275 and pushed her into a nice credit over her Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 purchase price of R650 000.
She looks to have a very bright future and will be a serious runner in the Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes on Met day.
Snaith said though that he was not underestimating the prowess of some of her expected older opposition. But he is probably just being courteous.
Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas (SAf-Gr1) Kenilworth, South Africa, December 7, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.39.42 IN THE FAST LANE (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Jet Master (SAF) – First Arrival (SAF) by Northern Guest (USA). Owner Tony Phillips & Wood Hall Stud Limited (Nom: Andrew L Cohen); breeder Hallmark Thoroughbreds; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie Lanner Falcon (SAF), 58.0, ch f 3, Trippi (USA) – Hosta (USA) by French Deputy (USA) Along Came Polly (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Judpot (USA) – Perfect Polly (SAF) by Model Man (SAF) Margins: 1, ¾, hd
