While the Gr3 test lacked genuine depth, Silvano’s good daughter Platinum Class produced a polished performance and delivered the banker-of-the-day goods to win the R250 000 Listed Final Fling Stakes at a sunny Kenilworth on Saturday.
After days of rain, the winter sun brightly and with the going officially soft, the only doubts around the hottest favourite of the afternoon was her first try at the 1800m.
Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville welcomes Platinum Class to the winner’s enclosure (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
But, as observed by Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville, the Silvano progeny mature with age and it was no sweat as Richard Fourie had the stocky bay relaxed at the back of the six horse field as Morne Winnaar tried to make every post a winning one on Glen Kotzen’s Glamorous Life.
At the 350m Platinum Class (7-20) was sent for home and she lengthened her stride to come home powerfully and unchallenged down the centre to win going away by 2,50 lengths in a time of 117,75 secs.
Richard Fourie cruises in on Platinum Class (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Her stablemate Libra edged the gallant Glamorous Life out of second to make it an exacta for the high-riding Snaith team.
The winner looks to make a lovely broodmare and her first Gr3 success could mark her retirement – although that is not final.
Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville said that the decision for his boss Gaynor Rupert was a ‘nice problem to have’.
Trainer Justin Snaith described the winner as a gutsy filly.
In-form jockey Richard Fourie can do little wrong and confirmed that Platinum Class was enjoying her racing.
“She enjoys the winter going and was switched off nicely. The small filed made it relatively straightforward,” he added.
Platinum Class has won 7 races with 7 places from 19 starts for stakes of R662 000.
A R210 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the winner, who races for Drakenstein Stud, was bred by Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift and is a daughter of champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winner Express Queen (Jet Master).
Stipes Report excerpt::
THE STARTER REPORTED:
- MISS KATALIN (C Orffer) fly jumped shortly after the start was effected and made contact with LIBRA (R Khathi).
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: (CvA)
- a) Jockey C Orffer became unbalanced when MISS KATALIN jumped awkwardly and then fly jumped making contact with LIBRA (R Khathi).
- b) LIBRA (R Khathi) was hanging out in the latter stages.
- c) PLATINUM CLASS (R Fourie), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer S J Snaith was advised. (SJHC)
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Gr3 Final Fling Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, July 20, R250k, 1800m, turf, soft, 1.57.75
1 – PLATINUM CLASS (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Silvano (GER) – Express Queen (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF). Owner Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); Breeder Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie
2 – Libra (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Twice Over (GB) – Sleek ‘n Sassy (SAF) by Captain Al (SAF)
3 – Glamorous Life (SAF), 60.0, ch f 4, Ashaawes (USA) – Duchess Delight (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
Margins: 2.50, 0.40, 2.00
