The Drakenstein blue has been carried to victory by a host of feature winners this term and Mike Bass ventures North this weekend with their triple Gr1 winner Inara, who takes on eight rivals in a bid to win the R1 million Laurie Jaffee Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.
Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Inara
The Turffontein Saturday weight-for-age feature is a prestigious prize for any owner but the 2016 renewal had something of a shaky start when the entry deadline had to be extended.
The apathy appears to have had little impact on the quality of the field though and a keenly contested race is in prospect over the Turffontein standside mile – and a terrific interprovincial clash lies ahead.
Like Drakenstein, Trippi has enjoyed an outstanding season and the son of End Sweep looks to add to his Gr1 silverware with Cape-based Inara, who will make the 600km trip up from Summerveld on Friday evening, in advance of the race.
Team Bass – Mike and his daughter Candice Robinson
Bass assistant Candice Robinson told Michael Clower that the journey takes about six hours and their charge is due to arrive in Jo’burg at 11.00pm.
“She has been doing very well in Durban this time and, if the altitude doesn’t affect her, we have to be optimistic,” she is on record as saying.
It is well documented that Inara did not enjoy Summerveld last year but she is in a better yard (less dust, we hear) this time and is a different filly.
Regular jockey Grant van Niekerk, who has an outstanding big race record on the 4yo, is also reported to be very happy with his mount.
Fitness may be a question for the top-rated daughter of Trippi, who comes in fresh after a 12 week break following her sensational win over KZN champ Same Jurisdiction in the Majorca Stakes at home.
Her away record is also under the spotlight – even though we have learnt that was not happy at Summerveld last year – and she gets the chance to show again that she is a high-class Gr1 contender.
The Dynasty filly Olma carries the KZN flag into battle.
A winner of her last three, including the Flamboyant Stakes and Kings Cup, she goes for four in a row and is all class at best.
But Olma will need to overcome the away hoodoo that has seen her come short at her three previous Turffontein raids.
She has never been better though and is an interesting runner and behind Trophy Wide, the major obstacle for Inara in our estimation.
KZN hope – Olma is in top form
Sean Tarry saddles a trio of top fillies and the hardknocking Trophy Wife looks the pick – certainly on riding arrangements.
The daughter of Tiger Ridge ran second behind Majmu in this event last year and has enjoyed a quiet prep with two second places recently.
Trophy Wife – time for her first Gr1?
She cannot be underestimated and warrants serious consideration with home ground advantage.
Her stablemate Tiger’s’ Touch has excellent sprint form and ran away with the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint last time of asking.
She tries a mile for the first time and with speed prevalent on her dam’s side, she might be questionable over the trip.
But Anthony Delpech, who was aboard Majmu last year, has the ride and will give her every opportunity if she finds the mile.
Third of the Tarry trio is course and distance winner Intergalactic, who showed good stakes potential with her recent second in the Listed Oaks Trial.
As the junior in the class of 2016, she has it all to do but looks quartet material.
Sensible Lover – cracking sprint last time
The Aussie-bred Sensible Lover has battled to reach the heights of her sensational defeat of champion Lazer Star in the 2015 Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes but ran a cracker last time when charging through late for second and 3,40 lengths behind Tiger’s Touch in the Sycamore.
That was over a distance short of her best and after her runner-up over Saturday’s course and distance in the Gr3 Acacia Handicap, she certainly looks decent place material.
Winter Star and Vino Veritas are the two ‘old ladies’ of the race.
The latter reverts to female company after a poor effort in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap when finishing well downfield behind Cool Chardonnay.
Vino Vertas – game mare but this is tough
The daughter of Silvano is very versatile and courageous, although a few lengths off the best in this Gr1 company.
Winter Star is battling to get back to her best form and ran 11,65 lengths off Tiger’s Touch in the Sycamore Sprint last time. She is a difficult sort to unravel but looks to have a mountain to climb here on her current status.
Paul Peter’s Rebel King filly London looks to have a thankless task off her merit rating of 78 and with all due respect looks to be making up the numbers and a very optimistic entry.
Inara and Trophy Wife look set to fight this out.
Our vote goes to the Cape challenger over the gallant local – but it won’t be a cakewalk.
