Sean Tarry’s maiden Vi Va Pi Pa shattered the Gary Alexander Racing Team’s dreams of winning another Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup when she flashed home late to catch the free-striding Chijmes in the shadow of the post.
Lyle Hewitson gets Vi Va Pi Pa to dig deep as Ryan Munger (red cap) throws the kitchen sink at Chijmes (Pic – JC Photos)
A mixed bunch of 16 one-time winners and maidens went to post for the 1400m race restricted to eligible graduates of the 2017 Emperor’s Palace Summer Ready To Run Sales. And with the stakes placed favourite Railtrip being left with a mountain to climb in the rush for home, it was the ever reliable Lyle Hewitson who capitalised.
Confidently ridden to lead at the 500m, Chijmes, the officially highest-rated male in the field, galloped powerfully as Hewitson weaved his way through on Vi Va Pi Pa.
At this stage, Railtrip under Kegan De Melo, had lengths to make and appeared to be labouring.
At the 150m marker Vi Va Pi Pa and Chijmes came together and went head for head to the wire.
The filly just had that little bit extra and she held Chijmes to a head in a time of 84,63secs.
Railtrip arrived too late and was beaten 2,30 lengths away in third.
See Me Run, a stablemate to the runner-up, was the tenth finisher and banked R5 000 for her efforts.
A R60 000 2017 Summerhill Ready To Run graduate, the Tmen Stables bred Vi Va Pi Pa, who races for Kenilworth Racing Chairman Chris van Niekerk, is a daughter of present day Lammerskraal sire Visionaire (Grand Slam) out of the Jallad one-time winner, Pipatune.
She has won once and run 4 places from her 6 starts for stakes of R304 750.
The BSA 2018 Ready To Run Sale starts at 14h00 on Sunday 4 November.
