Veteran trainer Mike Bass enjoys what is probably his final serious opportunity to win a Gr1 on his swansong July day after 40 years of training racehorses. He saddles a strong trio in the R1 million Garden Province Stakes and there will be many shouting for him to lift the trophy.
Silver Mountain -Cape Fillies Guineas sensation
Bass hands over the reins to his assistant, daughter Candice Robinson on 1 August and has a good card of runners on July day.
Mike Bass – big Gr1 hope
With the scratching of Negroamaro. 14 fillies and mares line up at the mile for this prestigious Gr1 won by some of our great fairest sex gallopers over the years.
Bass’ highly vaunted Cape Fillies Guineas winner Silver Mountain came back to her best at her second SA Champions season outing last time when just failing to get to Alexis in the dying strides of the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes.
The daughter of Silvano had an impeccable record before leaving the Cape and from a favourable draw looks set to redeem her reputation.
Her stablemate Inara finished just behind her in the Tibouchina and was found wanting late and a touch one paced.
Her run in the Premier’s Champion’s Challenge in Turffontein two weeks earlier may well have taken the edge off this smart filly and, freshened up, she could bounce right back to her best.
Lanner Falcon – pity about the draw
The third of the Bass trio is the Trippi mare, Lanner Falcon, a hard knocking and gutsy sort.
She was beaten 2 lengths by Real Princess in the City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint and has it all to do here from a 12 draw.
Reliable
Brett Crawford saddles Tibouchina winner Alexis and the ever reliable Cuvee Brut.
Alexis is enjoying a storming season having won her last two and on the face of it will enjoy the extra 200m after her storming win last time. Against her is the fact that she is drawn wide but is top class on her day.
Heaps Of Fun – surprise package?
Sean Tarry’s three runners are worth considering for the quartets and the best of them to consider is Heaps Of Fun.
She ran on well at her last two starts and was only 2 lengths off Bela-Bela in the Gr1 Woolavington.
Bichette has proven slightly disappointing of late and she has a wide draw to contend with.
Conversely, Intergalactic has drawn against the paint and gets the services of Andrew Fortune.
The daughter of Kahal looks to have plenty to do off her rating but has run sufficiently well with regularity to warrant inclusion at the back end of quartets.
Lazer Star has been quite disappointing since joining the stable of Mike Azzie and has failed to deliver on her earlier outstanding form. The daughter of Toreador showed no enthusiasm last time when finishing over 7 lengths behind Real Princess in the City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint.
It can only be a matter of time before the Azman gets to the bottom of her issues and we will be monitoring her progress over the mile with interest.
Piere Strydom rides Olma for Frank Robinson.
Olma – needs a bit further
The daughter of Dynasty has shown a preference for a little more ground and fell away after looking keen in the Tibouchina.
She was not disgraced there and can be expected to improve over the extra 200m here.
Sensible Lover is proving to be a consistent earner at feature level and the Australian-bred filly ran on late under a length behind Alexis in the Tibouchina.
She ran into traffic problems late in that race which may have cost her some valuable ground and Weichong Marwing will be keen to take her to her 4th win.
It looks a bit short for Deputy Ryder but she is well drawn at 2 and Gavin Lerena will be keen to get on the board after a disappointing stint in Hong Kong.
Eventual Angel wins the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes
Eventual Angel was unsighted in the Tibouchina but is a capable mare on her day and a possible quartet kicker if in a galloping mood.
In summary this is a very competitive race and there is bound to be little to choose in going into the final 100m.
Bernard Fayd’herbe would have thought he had it in the bag for Silver Mountain last time until Corne Orffer spoilt the party, and the Bass filly is a narrow top choice to hold Sensible Lover.
