Too Easy. Cherry On The Top strides clear to win the SA Fillies Classic
With former Triple Tiara winner Igugu finding Dubai tough going, South African racing looks to have found a ready made successor in the Tiger Ridge filly Cherry On The Top who hammered her twelve opponents to win the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Cherry On The Top had won the first leg of the Triple Tiara when cleaning up in the Fillies Guineas a month ago, and this win at 6 to 10 was even more impressive. She beat Do You Remember today by 5,25 lengths in a time of 111,09 secs.
Robbie Sage’s Jet Belle showed up smartly in third and is one to follow, while the previously undefeated Orator’s Daughter made up plenty of ground after turning for home last, and ran a distant fourth. It was a blank afternoon for the Joostes, who so often dominate the big days.
In a brave move, jockey Nooresh Juglall let Cherry On The Top stride clear at the 400m marker as those in front of her died and he never touched her with the whip as she just walked away. Juglall kept looking around as if he expected to wake up from a dream.
This was his first Gr1 winner, and there were no doubt parties in his home country of Mauritius on Saturday evening, where he has a passionate following.
In a race won so impressively, it is difficult speaking about possible disappointments, as they were all outclassed and hammered. But Three Troikas winner King’s Temptress and Louis Goosen’s filly Negev, are two that more was expected from. They both finished downfield.
Trainer Ormond Ferraris, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday, said that Cherry On The Top was a great filly and she had won a good race. “She is one of the best I have ever had, and appropriately the first I have trained for Mrs Oppenheimer,” he said.
Winning owner Mrs Bridget Oppenheimer was on course to enjoy the moment, said that it was a pity that her daughter Mary Slack was not in the country to savour the moment. “It is sad and was rather silly of her not to wait,” she quipped.
Winning Rider Nooresh Juglall said that it was an honour to ride a filly who was ‘just getting better and better.’
Nico Kritsiotis represented the sponsors Wilgerbosdrift and thanked Phumelela. He added that it was fitting that Mrs Oppenheimer had owned the winner and he congratulated their stallion Tiger Ridge on his great recent Gr1 streak. He said it had been a great season for Wilgerbosdrift, who had also produced the winners of the Summer Cup and the Met, and were in third place on the national breeders log. “Mary has always believed in better the breed and her broodmare band is unparalleled in this country,” he said.
In a true family affair, Cherry On The Top was bred by Mauritzfontein and is by Tiger Ridge out of the 5 time winning Fort Wood mare Carolina Cherry, who also produced the winner of the Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap earlier.
Cherry OnThe Top has now won 7 races with 2 places from 10 starts and stakes of R1 360 925.
She looks a hot order to win the Triple Tiara.
Result:
SA Fillies Classic (SAf-G1) (3/30)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 30, R1 million, 1800m, turf, good, 1.51.09
CHERRY ON THE TOP (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Tiger Ridge (USA) – Carolina Cherry
(SAF) by Fort Wood (USA). Owner Mrs BD Oppenheimer; breeder Mauritzfontein
Stud; trainer OA Ferraris; jockey N Juglall (R625.000)
Do You Remember (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Silvano (GER) – Festive Occasion (SAF)
by Casey Tibbs (USA)
Jet Belle (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Jet Master (SAF) – Bella Bianca (ARG) by Ahmad
(ARG)
Margins: 5¼, 1¾, 2¾
