Justin Snaith’s champion 3yo Oh Susanna had her connections and a multitude of supporters on the edge of the seats for much of the Greyville straight, before finding more to score a gutsy win in the R1 million Gr1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday.
Grant van Niekerk steers Oh Susanna to a gutsy win as Fiorella (inside) and Lady In Black (Sean Veale0 challenge (Pic – Candiese Marnewick / Gold Circle)
A hot favourite and touted by everybody who knows anything about the game as the banker of the day, the Cape star was made to work hard by the two local stars, Fiorella and Lady In Black, who kept the favourite honest all the way to the post.
This was a superb win given the fact that she hadn’t seen action in the 18 weeks since winning the Sun Met and the fact that her return was straight into Gr1 deep waters at 2000m must make the victory all the more meritorious.
Van Niekerk made the right choice not to fight the favourite and even though she was under plenty of physical pressure, she asserted when asked and never really looked like getting beaten – in hindsight!
Oh Susanna held off Daisy Fillies Guineas winner (and conqueror of stablemate Snowdance) by a half length in a time of 125.29 secs.
The smart Gr1 winner Lady In Black was a further quarter length back in third after having every chance.
Snaith stable companion Myabi Gold was beaten 2,25 lengths in fourth.
Justin Snaith – relieved
A relieved Justin Snaith said that nothing had gone right. “But she is so good. To come out in a Gr1 over 2000m and win after a rest. I’m over the moon. It’s job done. And when she looked under pressure she found reserves. That’s what good horses do!”
Grant van Niekerk atoned for his wayward ride in the Lonsdale.
“I found myself up there. She tends to travel – and she did that from the jump. I thought we were beaten – but when they ran up to her, she quickened. She’s good. I’d like to stick with her,”’ he said.
Oh Susanna is raced by and was bred by Drakenstein Stud.
A daughter of the deceased Darley champion Street Cry (Machiavellian) she is out of the USA six-time winner Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), who was purchased for A$1 million in foal to Street Cry in 2012.
Oh Susanna has won 4 races – 3 Gr1’s – with 3 places from 9 starts for stakes of R4 398 375.
She is high up on the Vodacom July log but that is a 50/50 option as indicated by the connections.
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Gr1 Woolavington 2000 (SAf-Gr1)
Greyville, South Africa, June 2, R1 million, 2000m, turf, soft, 2.05.29
1 – OH SUSANNA (SAF), 60.0, bl/br f 3, Street Cry (USA) – Sharp Susan (USA) by Touch Gold (USA). Owner Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); Breeder Drakenstein Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey G v Niekerk
2 – Fiorella (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Captain Al (SAF) – Arcola (SAF) by Caesour (USA)
3 – Lady In Black (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Dynasty (SAF) – Mystery Dame (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
Margins: 0.50, 0.25, 1.50
