Sun Met star Oh Susanna finally makes her long awaited SA Champions Season debut when she lines up at prohibitive odds to win the R1 million Gr1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville today.
The Snaith champion is drawn one from the outside of the ten horse field and will undoubtedly be the exotic bet banker of the afternoon for most punters.
Scratched with a minor bruised heel from the Daisy Guineas on 4 May, where she was scheduled to take on the boys, she put up outstanding work at Greyville a few weeks ago and looks a touch too good for this lot.
The Duncan Howells-trained Captain Al filly Fiorella is not to be ignored, and with Muzi Yeni in the irons in the absence of the injured Anton Marcus, there will be some who believe she can beat Oh Susanna. That suggestion arises after she upstaged the Met winner’s stable companion, Snowdance, in the Daisy Fillies Guineas. The daughter of Captain Al has been supplemented into the Vodacom Durban July, and being out of an Oaks winner, is surely likely to get the 2000m that she tries for the first time.
July supp and Daisy Fillies Guineas heorine Fiorella
Dennis Drier saddled a Gr1 winner last Saturday and recent Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes winner Lady In Black should strip fit and ready – although her Daisy Fillies Guineas fifth (2,85 lengths) behind Fiorella was a bit disappointing. This class daughter of Dynasty cannot be written off and is a Gr1 winner at this venue.
Glen Kotzen is a dab hand with the preparation and programming of the fillies and the Paarl based conditioner has a decent coupling in the form of Elusive Heart and Luna Child.
Elusive Heart gets the services of Richard Fourie from a 2 draw, and even though held by Lady In Black, has run two gutsy feature thirds at her last two starts, to her credit.
Luna Child ran a great race from the front in the Listed Scarlet Lady and stayed on well for fourth (3 lengths) behind Parabola. The daughter of boom sire Ideal World won her three previous races on the trot – including a Fairview feature – and should enjoy the 2000m on Saturday.
Chariot Of Gold – dangerous front-runner first time at Greyville
Sean Tarry’s Chariot Of Gold is a powerful front-runner who was only caught late in the SA Oaks when a gutsy third (2 lengths) behind Secret Potion. This R1 million daughter of Silvano could be dangerous at this track and will have her supporters from a 4 draw with title chasing Lyle Hewitson at the controls.
Roy’s Riviera ran fourth (2,60 lengths) back in the Daisy Fillies Guineas and prior to that finished twelfth (9 lengths) back in the SA Fillies Classic behind champion Takingthepeace. Her earlier form is good but she is yet to win on the turf.
Raya Bay ran fourth in the recent Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes and the Candice Bass-Robinson trained daughter of Hussonet gets thrown in the deep end here. She looks to have lots to do.
Widow’s Lamp – PE hope
Yvette Bremner takes her chances and travels from Port Elizabeth with recent East Cape Derby runner-up, Widow’s Lamp. The daughter of Go Deputy won the Oaks in her hometown and has been a model of consistency. While she can’t be expected to challenge the Snaith star, she is unlikely to disgrace herself. And as far as jockey arrangements go, we can assume that Lyle Hewitson was obliged to ride the Sean Tarry galloper ahead of her.
Stablemate to the favourite, Silvano daughter Miyabi Gold has won two of her four starts and impressed at Greyville two weeks ago when winning a handicap in style. The Daytona Stud product would not have been brought to KZN as a maiden winner were she not held in high regard. She could be the surprise packet.
Oh Susanna is a confident first choice. She is top-class and has the record to prove it. Naturally race fitness must be a concern – but the Snaiths know what they are doing.
This should be the race of the day!
