It wasn’t pretty or anything particularly elegant but Sean Tarry’s flying Captain Al filly Cloth Of Cloud took the South African racing world’s collective breath away in a few strides as she put the boys to shame to win the R1 million Gr1 SA Nursery on Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday.
S;manga Khumalo looks awkward in the driver’s seat as Cloth Of Cloud storms home (Pic – JC Photos)
Shame is probably the wrong word – it is really no disgrace running second to a champion in the making. And if anybody ever doubted it, Tarry and his esteemed owners have one helluva filly on their hands.
The well related Cloth Of Cloud came in to her first Gr1 off two wins – by an aggregate 8,30 lengths, including a Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes victory that had stopped hearts as she had thrown out the anchor at the winning line and almost unseated her jockey.
S’manga Khumalo – cool ride under pressure
Regular jockey S’manga Khumalo had obviously learnt from that experience but had to endure some shaky moments at the start on Saturday again when his mount was of one of a few examined by the Vet – which led to the withdrawal of her stablemate, Flying Myth.
The stress failed to stop the highly strung filly and she jumped a length slowly and was tucked away as He’s A Var and Rivarine showed the way.
At the 400m Karl Zechner let Rivarine go and the magnificent son of Var looked to be going beautifully.
At the same time Cloth Of Cloud was switched in from 5 lengths back and she changed legs and got going with Khumalo all arms and pushing.
At the 150m she had drawn alongside Rivarine and went past him as if he was standing still to win going away by 0,90 length in a time of 67,32 secs.
Rivarine looks very decent and maintained his consistent formline in second to hold off the late finish of Double Appeal, who came from some way off the pace to secure third.
The exciting Cloth Of Cloud has won 3 from 3 and taken her stakes earnings to R796 875.
Cloth Of Cloud was purchased on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale where Diane Nagle and Linda Shanahan who went to R2,2 million to buy her.
Cloth Of Cloud was bred by Highlands and is by Captain Al out of the six-time winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Our Table Mountain, a half-sister to sire Artie Schiller.
She is excitement on four legs and a big filly for the future – especially if she gets her mind on the job.
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Gr1 SA Nursery (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 30, R1 million, 1160m, turf, good, 1.07.32
1 – CLOTH OF CLOUD (SAF), 57.5, b f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Our Table Mountain (USA) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA). Owner Mrs Paul Shanahan, Messrs M J Jooste, B Kantor & C J H van Niekerk & Mrs D Nagle; Breeder Highlands; trainer SG Tarry; jockey S Khumalo
2 – Rivarine (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Var (USA) – River Jetez (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
3 – Double Appeal (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Trippi (USA) – Imperious Star (SAF) by Navarone (IRE)
Margins: 0.90, 3.25, 0.60
