The big movers towards qualification for the tenth renewal of the world’s first Ready To Run sales race, turned up at Turffontein on the weekend.
While the odds of getting a run this year are better than they’ve ever been (16 out of a catalogue of just 50 odd,) it’s getting hot at the top of the log, with the Group One performer, Railtrip, setting the benchmark.
A rapidly closing runner-up in the Thekwini Stakes from the worst of the draw on Gold Cup day, Chesney van Zyl’s filly is a half-sister to the SA Derby ace, Hero’s Honour, which suggests that her Galileo dams’ Capetown Noir colt in the 4th November sale will be something of a premium item.
The race and the sale incidentally have been joined at the hip with Emperors Palace for much of its 20 years in business.
Chijmes storms to victory – impressive!
Back to the shakers: the first on Turffontein’s Saturday card was the scene for the breakout of a smart sort in Chijmes, an impressive son of Pat Shaw’s dual Group One hero, Ato from the distinguished Summerhill family of Royal Glitter, Right Royal Rage, Princely Prospect, Choice and Rusty Pelican.
With daylight over his field, he looks to go to post for the Cup under the silks of former Mauritius Turf Club chair, Jean Marc Ulcoq and his wife Clotilde, as well as former Jockey Club chair, Ronnie Napier and wife Bev.
Saddled by the Alexander boys, Gary and Dean, the ink on Chijmes’ page was scarcely dry when Hylton Odendaal’s Visionaire daughter, See Me Run (cost a modest R50 000), was equally dominant over a classy assembly of sophomore fillies back at the main track Monday.
See Me Run bounds home in style
That run had the look of a “qualifier” too, and while the handicappers’ panel still has to have its say, it looked a dinkum shoe-in from this distance for the sister to Duke Nukem. Her mom, Guest Gallery, is another with a handy Ready To Run candidate at this year’s sale, a filly by Capetown Noir.
Of course, no-one will be surprised to see the Alexanders with a few slots at the gate. They’re what you might call “veterans” of the finest trophy in racing with previous winners, Pierre Jourdan and Champagne Haze, on their CVs.
For the current log positions go to:
