Cape-based Maine Chance Farms rounded off a superb Gr1 double at Scottsville on Saturday when the high-class Var filly Sommerlied stormed to a well-deserved success in the R750 000 Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint.
A determined Sean Veale steers Sommerlied to a smooth victory (Pic – Canidese Marnewick / Gold Circle )
This could be the very talented filly’s swansong as she stands out as a valuable broodmare prospect, with a host of top-class suitors in waiting.
Just over an hour earlier, the Maine Chance Farms – bred Mighty High won the Gr1 Allan Robertson at the same venue – but in Sommerlied’s case it was a double celebration as the powerful Jacobs family operation also own the 4yo.
The sixteen-strong SA Fillies Sprint field was a typically nationally representative cream of the crop bunch and after Jo’s Bond had led for a long way, Sean Veale produced Sommerlied with a sustained late effort.
Maine Chance representative Glen Hatt
The 15-1 Dennis Drier flyer hit the front and showed the 1200m is well within her compass as she powered home to beat Cape champion 3yo Magical Wonderland, who put in a storming run that petered out, by 1,50 lengths in a time of 67,59 secs.
Maine Chance representative Glen Hatt was on course to lead her in.
Another 3yo in Duncan Howell’s Neptune’s Rain finished well down the rail for third and looks to be crying out for more ground.
The Secret Is Out finished third last year and maintained her consistent record by finishing fourth.
The pacemaker Jo’s Bond faded out late to run fifth ona quiet day for the Snaith team.
The Maine Chance Farms-bred Sommerlied also crowned a super afternoon for Oratorio home base Avontuur, who stand her sire Var (Forest Wildcat).
The winner is out of Sommermarchen (Pentire – Simply Red by Dashing Blade), who won at 1850m in Germany from two starts, and was retired injured. She is a half-sister to four stakes winners.
Pentire is a son of Be My Guest and won 8 and and £911,037, racing in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Japan, U.A.E.
Sommerlied has won 7 races from 11 starts for stakes of R994 375.
Her win came as a relief for the Veale-Drier combination, who weren’t having a smooth ride till this smashing performance!
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Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint (SAf-Gr1)
Scottsville, South Africa, May 26, R750k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.07.59
1 – SOMMERLIED (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Var (USA) – Sommermarchen (GER) by Pentire (GB). Owner Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Dr W A & Mrs N Jacobs); Breeder Maine Chance; trainer DR Drier; jockey S Veale
2 – Magical Wonderland (SAF), 58.5, b f 3, What A Winter (SAF) – Magical Miss (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
3 – Neptune’s Rain (SAF), 58.5, b f 3, Antonius Pius (USA) – Water Is Gold (SAF) by Rich Man’s Gold (USA)
Margins: 1.50, 0.05, 0.25
