Reigning SA champion trainer Sean Tarry goes for a fourth consecutive Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas success at Turffontein on Saturday in a race where his counterpart Mike de Kock goes to post with five runners.
Sean Tarry – can he make it a straight four?
Tarry’s excellent record in this race could be under threat from the strong De Kock quintet, but there are others who have every chance of challenging for top honours.
Fillies Mile winner Folk Dance is the officially highest rated filly in the race and comes off a 13 week break following that runaway success. Her form is really impressive – she won her first three on the trot – ran two class feature places, and won the Fillies Mile. If she is fit enough, she must make her presence felt.
The boom Gauteng fairer sex 3yo of the moment though is the smart looking Fish River, a daughter of Canford Cliffs, who won the Three Troikas in impressive fashion last month. San Fermin, who was beaten 2 lengths there, came out to hammer her opposition at the Vaal last Thursday. Fish River tries the mile for the first time but should have no problem seeing it out on breeding and the manner in which she has won to date.
Canford Cliffs daughter Fish River – looks very smart
Her stablemate Takingthepeace was beaten 3 lengths into fourth in the Three Troikas but is 2kgs better off here. She is another who goes the mile for the first time.
Silver Thursday had decent local form before travelling to the Cape where she was humbled in the Cape Fillies Guineas, before staying on for fifth in the Victress Stakes. Her staying on third behind Via Seattle in the Starling Stakes was an indication of her ability and she cannot be ignored from a decent draw over the 200m extra here.
Stablemate Awfaa has won her last two starts well over the mile and now steps up in class as a largely unknown quantity. Recent maiden winner Pearl Of Bahrain is the fifth of the De Kock quintet. She is lightly raced and is another with good scope.
Sean Tarry will be the first to concede that his attack this year is not his strongest.
Flashback – Rockin Russian chases Lady In Black home in the Gr1 Thekwini
After some excellent showings as a 2yo, Rockin Russian did not have the happiest of Cape campaigns, achieving just one earning opportunity when a well beaten third to last Saturday’s Gr3 Prix Du Cap winner Elusive Heart at her penultimate start. She is much better than her current formline suggests and can be a nice quartet kicker.
Aurelia Cotta was well beaten in the CTS 1600 at her last start down at Kenilworth. Her home form prior to that was very decent. She ran on for second behind Folk Dance in the Fillies Mile and then mixed it with the boys in the Sea Cottage Stakes – running a commendable fourth and 3,15 lengths behind star prospect, Majestic Mambo. Her racing style could suit Piere Strydom and she can prove some value if things go her way.
Cashel Palace has been rested 13 weeks since showing plenty of cheek and ultimately beaten 3,30 lengths in the Fillies Mile on Summer Cup day. She shed her maiden over Saturday’s course and distance in terrific style and can challenge for minor money if race fit.
Green Top looks held on her staying on fifth and 3,40 lengths off Fish River in the Tree Troikas and her form generally does not look strong enough to win here.
Alec Laird – saddles three runners
Pale Lilac is the third of the Alec Laird trio and is another promising unproven sort who steps up in class after winning 2 of her last 4 starts. She has a 1 draw in her favour and has plenty of potential for further improvement.
Dame Kelly has been consistent without finding the winner’s box in 5 months. The daughter of Dynasty ran prominently late when staying on for a 3,20 length third in the Tree Troikas behind Fish River. It won’t be a cakewalk from the draw.
Anton Marcus gets the mount on the Australian-bred Radiant Splendour for Gary Alexander. The daughter of Lope De Vega is unbeaten in two starts and now steps up to the mile – and in class. She won a weak handicap going away last time and could be just about anything – and is a filly with tremendous scope.
Given her recent improvement and fitness levels, Fish River looks very capable of winning a race of this nature. Her stablemate Silver Thursday is worthy of inclusion. Fitness could count against Folk Dance and Cashel Place, while there are a few underexposed sorts – the likes of Radiant Splendour and Awfaa falling into that category.
