Lazer Star looks top-class
With close to R5 million likely to be at stake in Saturday’s Turffontein Pick 6 pool, punters will be thrilled to know that the usually nailbiting final leg offers a potential banker bet. Ormond Ferraris’ Toreador filly Lazer Star looks a good thing when returning to sprinting in the R400 000 Gr2 Camellia Stakes.
Formerly run as the Issie Shenker Memorial Handicap in November at Newmarket, this fillies and mares feature was moved to the autumn in 2001 and then to Turffontein in 2002, when it became one of the attractions on Champions Day and was elevated in class from Listed status to Grade 3 class.
It was boosted again to its current Grade 2 status in 2006 and the impressive Lazer Star looks set to be a worthy victor.
Family Affair
Wesley Marwing has picked up valuable experience and confidence North of the Limpopo in recent months and he rides the Tawny Syndicate-bred filly for the first time, for his Mom.
Lazer Star won her first four races in succession – including two stakes features in the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap and the Listed Swallow Stakes (both over Saturday’s course and distance) in impressive style and with a showing of lightning speed.
She was narrowly beaten by Sensible Lover when pushed to 1450m in February and now returns rested and fresh after an eleven week break following that effort.
We hold her in high regard – the SP rating is way ahead of the official handicapper, who we really believe is lagging behind – for once in his life.
We have said it a few times, but it helps that the Ormond Ferraris yard is red hot and she is not likely to need the outing.
Opposition
Let’s take a snap look at the opposition.
Joey Soma’s Athina – this is too short for her
Joey Soma brings the class to town in the form of the Fort Wood 4yo Athina. The 106 rated racer has her first run since a narrow defeat by Cape star Inara in the Paddock Stakes fifteen weeks ago, but while likely to be fresh, she is sure to find the 1160m too sharp.
Piere Strydom was seen at his best (again) when producing Barend Botes trained Tzigane to win the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint in sensation style three weeks ago.
The daughter of Doowaley (there aren’t too many of those left) put on her best dress and flew home from off the pace to beat Virgo’s Babe by 0,75 lengths going away.
Lurker
Virgo’s Babe – a game racer
Virgo’s Babe is back for more but she is drawn hard against the inside rail and the chances are that may be dead man’s land again on Saturday.
A lurker could be the Sycamore third placed Bichette, who was slow away but powered home to snatch third – albeit three lengths behind Virgo’s Babe. She is a course and distance winner on debut and while bred to go double the trip, she could be better than perceived.
Interestingly, Bichette was just over three lengths behind Lazer Star in third place in the Three Troikas.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Winter Star reverts to the shorts again after running over ten lengths behind Majmu in the Empress Club.
She has plenty of toe but may be best around 1400m.
The rampant Corne Spies team are in town with the speedy Sarve. The daughter of Sarge won a cracking non black-type little feature at Scottsville, but then showed pace and faded in the Sycamore when 10,55 lengths behind Tzigane.
She is a fit filly who could decide to stay on if things go her way.
Fast
The speedy Pej will be ridden by Anton Marcus
Anton Marcus rides the speedy Pej for Charles Laird.
The five-time winning daughter of Kahal may have needed her last run when fading to 3 lengths behind Sarve at Scottsville – she is 2,5kgs better off against the Spies galloper, but may need to find a few lengths on Lazer Star.
Stan Ferreira’s Var filly Winter Passion is very fast but faded out in the Sycamore after showing some smart toe. She has some good showings – like giving Alboran Sea weight and getting to within 2,75 lengths of her a few runs back – and could surprise the fancies.
Drifting In
Anthony Delpech – rides the longshot
Lucky Houdalakis must have twisted top jockey Anthony Delpech’s arm to ride Drifting Dusk here. But the Dynasty filly could be a shrewdie, based on a study of her last run.
She has only won once from six starts but moved up ominously under the hands in the Sycamore and just tired late.
That was after a two month break and she could be something of a joker in the pack for the exacta here.
Lertasha and Lumya cannot be fancied.
Star Quality
Lazer Star looks really top-class and could pick up her peak career win to date with a professional speed performance.
The places look wide open – Drifting Dusk and Tzigane possibly in the mix with Winter Star and Bichette.
