The blue and white tide turned for the Snaith Racing Team at Kenilworth on Saturday with their SA Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna dishing out a galloping lesson to her eleven rivals as she made it consecutive victories in the R1 million Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes.
Richard Fourie and Oh Susanna are well clear (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The star filly was having only her fifth start since her defeat of Lady In Black last year in the prestigious fillies and mares race, and history repeated itself as she held off the same opponent with some ease after leading all the way in the 1800m contest.
Now a four-time Gr1 winner, Oh Susanna is a Sun Met and Majorca Stakes entry and, while they have some other big guns at their disposal, there may be some bullish feeling in the camp that she could bid for another major double on 26 January.
Riding a supremely confident race after taking a tumble earlier on, Richard Fourie took Oh Susanna up to lead Joburg challenger Cascapedia, with Fresnaye and Lady In Black sharing third – and the top four had the race to themselves, eventually making up the quartet.
A hard ridden Lady In Black was unable to peg back the leader when delivering her challenge inside the 250m marker.
With Oh Susanna covering the 1800m in 110,88, Lady In Black was a flattering half length back at the line with Summer Cup placer Cascapedia beaten a further 3,50 lengths in third.
Recent Victress Stakes winner Fresnaye was a short head back to make up the quartet.
Team Snaith celebrate (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
A 4yo Drakenstein bred daughter of the deceased Darley champion Street Cry (Machiavellian) the priceless Oh Susanna is out of the USA six-time winner Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), who was purchased for A$1 million in foal to Street Cry in 2012.
Oh Susanna has won 5 races – 4 Gr1’s – with 4 places from 11 starts for stakes of R5 047 375.
She was the third winner on the afternoon for the Snaith team who put a blank Friday well behind them.
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Gr1 Paddock Stakes (SAf-Gr1)
Kenilworth, South Africa, January 5, R1 million, 1800m, turf, good, 1.50.88
1 – OH SUSANNA (SAF), 59.5, bl/br f 4, Street Cry (USA) – Sharp Susan (USA) by Touch Gold (USA). Owner Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); Breeder Drakenstein Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie
2 – Lady In Black (SAF), 59.5, b f 4, Dynasty (SAF) – Mystery Dame (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
3 – Cascapedia (IRE), 60.0, b m 5, High Chaparral (IRE) – Janoubi (GB) by Dansili (GB)
Margins: 0.50, 3.50, 0.10
