Justin Snaith goes for a hat-trick of victories in the R500 000 Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville this evening where he steps out sensational dual Cape Summer Season Gr1 winner Snowdance in her SA Champions Season debut.
Snowdance – top class daughter of Captain Al
Top-class efforts in this race by Snaith stars Bela-Bela and Gimme Six have set the platform for a big evening under the lights for the champion Cape-based outfit and Snowdance’ reappearance will be eagerly awaited by her fans.
The long-striding daughter of Captain Al has not run since slamming her field in the Majorca Stakes on Sun Met day 13 weeks ago and faces eight rivals. Interestingly, Snowdance had been the one needing it most when the top yard galloped a leading quartet of their big season attack at Greyville last week.
Justin Snaith – big evening ahead
“She was almost too well and needed to burn some of it off,” Justin reported, adding that Snowdance would still not be at a hundred percent for this evening’s opener. But he qualified his cautionary, saying that despite the shortfall in fitness, she was still good enough to win this. Her short-term target looks likely to be the Gr1 Gold Challenge
Dennis Drier’s Dynasty filly Lady In Black looks likely to provide the major opposition to Snowdance. She bounced right back to form last time on her return run following a second to Oh Susanna in the Paddock Stakes, when slamming her field to win the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes. While she is held by Snowdance on her Cape Fillies Guineas fourth, she seems a better filly at home and has a Gr1 course-and-distance win in the Thekwini Stakes to her credit as a 2yo.
Elusive Heart – won the Prix Du Cap
Glen Kotzen’s Prix Du Cap victress Elusive Heart was behind Lady In Black in the Cape Fillies Guineas and was beaten 2,60 lengths in the Umzimkhulu Stakes at her most recent start. On Friday she is 4.5kgs worse off with the Drier runner.
Twice As Smart almost produced a shock result when chasing Lady In Black and only beaten a head in the Umzimkhulu Stakes. The improving daughter of Twice Over is 6kgs worse off here and will need to up her game substantially again to feature.
Twice As Smart takes Lady In Black all the way to the wire last time
Ashburton-based Fiorella returns from a Gauteng raid where she impressed when staying on for a 1,55 length fourth behind Triple Tiara hopeful Takingthepeace in the SA Fillies Classic. She was runner-up behind the unbeaten Hashtagyolo in the KZN Guineas Trial over the course and distance and should improve over more ground.
Roy’s Riviera failed to impress when finishing over 9 lengths back in the SA Fillies Classic. She was not out of the money in 9 runs at home prior to that and could chase a quartet berth if she gets a bit of luck here.
She’s A Dream failed to fire in the Umzimkhulu Stakes and looks very well held by Lady In Black on that run.
Sean Tarry – always a danger
Sean Tarry’s pair of Desert Rhythm and London Secret both look well held. Desert Rhythm returned from an unsuccessful Cape campaign when receiving 6kgs and a 5 length beating by Lady In Black in the Umzimkhulu.
London Secret lost a shoe when beaten 4 lengths by Takingthepeace in the SA Fillies Classic. She only managed a maiden win in her six previous runs and may find herself outclassed in this company.
Even at a percentage of fitness, Snowdance is a confident choice to make it a Daisy Fillies Guineas treble for Justin Snaith. Lady In Black looks to be the one capable of spoiling the party.
