Smart Call is too strong for the gallant Pine Princess as Weichong Marwing steers her to a momentous victory
The sensational late withdrawal of hot favourite Majmu threw the cat amongst the pigeons in the R1 million Gr1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday. Things landed up going a bit pear-shaped for punters but there were celebrations aplenty for Mauritzfontein Stud as their exciting Kingmambo stallion Ideal World produced the goods with his first Gr1 winner.
Horseracing’s finger of fate shows no fear or favour and it was pointing in the direction of multiple champion trainer Mike De Kock with the star Aussie grey Majmu coming up with an elevated temperature and having to be withdrawn from a Gr1 that looked for many to be at her mercy.
With the July her target and export plans in the pipeline, this would have been a rare opportunity for local fans to see the Redoute’s Choice filly in the flesh.
But De Kock’s misfortune was to turn into a thrilling moment for the connections of a stallion who has enjoyed a cracking season – and a particularly resounding winning May month.
With the field reduced to eleven runners,the start was a clean one for all, except Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Silver Class who stumbled and came close to unseating her rider.
Majmu’s regular jockey Anthony Delpech replaced Bernard Fayd’herbe on the stablemate Pine Princess, who dashed off at a merry gallop to set the pace, in a race where that didn’t look like a guaranteed commodity.
With Delpech dictating matters out front, Pine Princess showed the way to Tamaanee and longshot Indaba, with Smart Call some way back.
Into the straight, Pine Princess showed no signs of tiring as Smart Call had been brought around the wide outside on the turn by Marwing and was making up lengths with her big stride.
As Tamaanee faded, it was left to Smart Call to chase Pine Princess home and the two squared up just inside the 300m.
It was apparent that Smart Call was going the stronger though and she powered up the outside and grabbed Pine Princess in the final 200m to win going away by 0,25 lengths in a time of 123,18 secs.
The decent ground and being given a chance worked wonders with Smart Call after a few disappointing showings on the Highveld.
The gallant Trophy Wife flashed up late for third to show that her KRA Fillies Guineas run was all wrong.
Dual Cape Gr1 winner Inara moved up menacingly at the 350m but had no answers and was shaded out of fourth place by another daughter of Ideal World in the Neil Bruss trained Zante.
Winning jockey Weichong Marwing said that the race had worked in his favour.
“We were concerned about the pace. But it was decent and she quickened well.I’m pleased for the whole team and my sponsors,” he said with a smile.
Jessica Slack and Alec Laird lead in the daughter of Ideal World
Trainer Alec Laird has found himself on horseracing’s rollercoaster – a Gr1 win here just a week after losing one of his top horses in a Scottsville Gr1.
“There has been some debate about Smart Call’s correct trip. She runs like she wants shorter, but she is bred to go a trip. This was our last try at a Gr1 and I’m thrilled she came through it so well,” he said.
Mauritzfontein’s Jessica Slack said that she had worn ‘Grandma’s brooch for luck’ and was thrilled, although sportingly still acknowledging that things may have worked out different had Majmu run.
“I am so pleased for our whole team! A first Gr1 win for Ideal World. Thanks to Alec (Laird) and to Weichong (Marwing) for a terrific ride. She showed plenty of courage and won well,” she said.
The Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Smart Call has now won 3 races with 5 places from 10 starts and stakes of R900 625.
She is out of Horse Chestnut’s unraced daughter, Good Judgement – a half sister to Vodacom Durban July winner, Greys Inn.
Her sire’s first crop (current 3yo’s) has produced four stakes performers to date, including the classic placed filly Patchit Up Baby and Smart Call, as well as Gr3 East Cape Derby third My World.
With the unbeaten Persian Rug highlighting his second crop’s potential, Ideal World looks set to be a stallion with a very bright future.
A stakes winning son of Kingmambo and champion racemare Banks Hill, Ideal World is closely related to successful sires Dansili, Cacique and Champs Elysees, and this is also the family of recent G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles.
There was no further news on Majmu’s Vodacom July plans and prospects.
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Gr1 Woolavington 2000 (SAf-Gr1)
Greyville, South Africa, May 30, R1 million, 2000m, turf, good, 2.03.18
1 – SMART CALL (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Ideal World (USA) – Good Judgement (USA) by Horse Chestnut (SAF). Owner Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss J B Slack); Breeder Mauritzfontein Stud; trainer AG Laird; jockey Wei Marwing
2 – Pine Princess (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Scent Of Pine (SAF) by Badger Land (USA)
3 – Trophy Wife (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Tiger Ridge (USA) – My Squeeza (SAF) by Goldmark (SAF)
Margins: 0.25, 2.00, 1.00
