Namesake. The smart Var filly She’s A Pippa is well drawn and will be ridden by Sean Cormack.
The R1 million Gr1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas is a race that every owner, breeder and trainer wants to win. The 2013 renewal is the first Gr1 of the Cape summer and promises a blockbuster spectacle, with a depth of talent and ability that will be welcomed in the breeding paddocks in the years ahead.
With only two visiting trainers making the trip, the prized trophy could return to the Cape. The race is run this year for an increased stake pot of R1 million and will be sponsored for the eighth time by Avontruur Estate. Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson is credited with having suggested that wine is bottled poetry. And that about sums up what will be a great day out.
The pacesetting breeders of champion racehorses and producers of fine wines, host one of the iconic social days on the South African racing calendar that has grown to international prominence and renown.
Top Class
Besides the sophistication and fun of the social aspect and entertainment offered, the race for glory between the sixteen top 3yo fillies should have the capacity crowd on their feet. The race was won last year by raiding trainer Mike De Kock, with the brilliant Australian bred grey, Rumya.
Only Gavin Van Zyl and Sean Tarry come to town this year, and with three runners between them, they could be outnumbered and outgunned by what looks to be a particularly strong hometown challenge.
Best Rated
The highest rated filly in the race is the Varsfontein Stud bred Judpot filly Along Came Polly, who is one of two Van Zyl runners in the race. A winner at the weight for age terms on paper, she failed to fire at her first Cape outing when making no show in the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship when just under three lengths behind In The Fast Lane.
A Gr1 winner over a mile, Along Came Polly should be a lot fitter at this event and is ridden by Anthony Delpech for the first time, with regular rider Brandon Lerena having been replaced.
Fast And Furious
Bred by Hallmark Thoroughbreds, the Jet Master filly In The Fast Lane is one of a powerful quartet of runners sent out by the Snaith Racing team. Major players in the fillies’ classics, the Snaiths always have to be respected and saddle the smart recent Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship winner.
Stable jockey Richard Fourie, who was caught napping and ran second in the Choice Carriers Championship on Highly Decorated, now rides the improving daughter of Jet Master. In The Fast Lane finished with a flourish to win that feature and will be even better here, having won previously over a mile.
Superman
Overdue. The Mike Bass trained Alascan Maiden is consistent and will be ridden by Anton Marcus
Bred by Klawervlei Stud, Alascan Maiden will be ridden by Anton Marcus and the highest rated of the Bass runners looks overdue to score a serious win after a string of feature places. Alascan Maiden finished just behind the Snaith top two in the Choice Carriers Championship, and just needs some luck with the top jockey aboard to grab her biggest career prize to date.
Bred by Team Valor International, the classy Captain Al filly Highly Decorated was desperately unlucky not to have won the Choice Carriers Championship. She moved up powerfully down the centre of the track in the final 200m and was a winner everywhere, but the post, after being caught by her stablemate, In The Fast Lane.
SA Champion jockey Piere Strydom takes over from Richard Fourie, and while she is not particularly well drawn, Highly Decorated must be a serious consideration to set the record straight here. Bred by Riverton Stud, the Casey Tibbs filly Masked Lady is the highest rated of the three Kotzen runners.
While poorly drawn, this Gr1 placed galloper is not far off the best of her generation and would have come on from her Choice Carriers Championship prep effort.
Power Player
Bred by The Alchemy, the Captain Al filly Pure Power is another filly with serious winning claims. She ran fourth in the Choice Carriers Championship and runs like a filly who will enjoy the extra 200m here. Karl Neisius, who appears to be undergoing a resurgence in the twilight of his long and illustrious career, rides her from a competitive draw.
Bred by Drakesntein Stud, the Trippi filly Lanner Falcon is another Bass runner and will be ridden by Bass stable jockey, Grant Van Niekerk. A poor draw has done her prospects little good, and she appears held by the Snaith top two as well as her stablemate Pure Power on her Choice Carriers run, when unplaced.
Better Draw
Bred in Australia by Newsells Park Stud Limited, the Mount Nelson filly Mohave Princess is the second the Gavin Van Zyl runners. She was never a factor from a poor draw in the Choice Carriers Championship, but with a better jump here, the Devon Air Stakes winner could come into the reckoning.
Bred by Collingwood Stud, the Var filly Sea Cat finished just under two lengths back in the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship. That was her first run since returning from the KZN Champions Season and she would probably have needed the outing. Sea Cat needs to show that she will stay the mile, but jumps from a wide barrier and appears to have a big task.
Well Named
Bred by Moutonshoek, the Captain Al filly Wheredowego has drawn poorly and appears held on her unplaced effort in the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship. She did come off a six month break there following her win in the Cape Fillies Nursery, and should strip a fitter filly here. She needs to show that she has trained on, and can only rank as a longshot for money.
Bred by Team Valor International, the cleverly named Var filly She’s A Pippa comes in here off a smooth win in the Eastern Cape last time. She will be ridden by Sean Cormack, who will be determined to upstage colleague Richard Fourie again, after losing the ride on In The Fast Lane. Well drawn and likely to relish the mile, She’s A Pippa would be the stuff of media dreams as a winner of this prestigious classic!
Mountain High
Bred by Messrs Berzack and Joffe, the Silvano filly Omaticaya has a mountain to climb from her wide draw and while very capable, will need plenty of luck in running. Bred by Patricia Devine, the Jet Master filly Princess Of The Sky steps up in class after winning a fillies handicap at her last start.
Good Weather
Bred by Summerhill Stud, the Stronghold filly Rainy Day runs out of the powerful Sean Tarry yard and should take her place from a good draw of 3, after the visitors have had a terribly bad run of luck with draws. The daughter of Stronghold has won her last two starts on the trot and goes a mile for the first time.
She has shown good speed and pace, but is very difficult to measure against her opposition. She is, however, unexposed and her official rating may be misleading. Sean Tarry doesn’t travel for fun either. Bred by Oldlands Stud, the Indigo Magic filly Darling Moon is the fourth of the Snaith quartet.
Shockingly drawn at 17, the consistent East Cape Lady’s Slipper winner appears well held by Pure Power and should battle in this company. Bred by Kiette Stud, the Ashaawes filly Davyana is the third of the Glen Kotzen runners.
Interestingly top veteran jockey Kevin Shea returns for the ride after he piloted her to a solid third placed finish behind the runaway top pair of Captain America and Red Ray in the LanzeracReady To Run Stakes a fortnight ago. Davyana ran on well there and must have a place chance as an improving and courageous sort.
Competitive
All told, this looks a tough race to go narrow in, as there is little to choose between the top five. Justin Snaith has a powerful hand with his four, and there will be little to choose between Highly Decorated and In The Fast Lane. A fitter Along Came Polly will also come into the picture, as will Alascan Maiden and Pure Power. Win, lose or draw, racing doesn’t get too much better than this.
