Piere Strydom guides Siren’s Call to victory as runner-up Trophy Wife gets a peek in. Smart Call (5) stays on to run third. (Pic – JC Photos)
Elusive Fort’s daughter Siren’s Call threw down the Triple Tiara gauntlet to Mike De Kock’s outstanding Redoute’s Choice filly Majmu, and a few others, when she stamped her authority in sensational fashion with a courageous win in the R500 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday.
The filly that breeder Peter De Beyer couldn’t give away for R60 000 took her career stake earnings to a rather healthy looking R1 746 875 in recording her fourth win from just six career starts to date.
In so doing she also gave her promising sire another one of those marketing fillips that breeders of first crop hopefuls could not dream to purchase with all the adspend in the world.
And the fight that Siren’s Call showed when challenged inside the 200m marker of this prestigious race, proved that she had emerged from the rugby scrum and rolling maul of the R2,5 million CTS Book 2 Graduates Race just over a fortnight ago mostly unscathed.
As a one-time small owner and breeder, Peter De Beyer couldn’t have dreamt of the way this story has turned out. He has struck gold with his decision to send the bay filly to a top yard – because along with the Sean Tarry magic comes a genius jockey called Piere Strydom – who, when throwing his leg over good horses, just somehow makes them look a length or two better – when it counts.
After Smart Call had made the running and was still going strongly close to home, Siren’s Call was produced from some way off as Same Jurisdiction battled to kick on down the outside after a tardy start and some interference in running.
Into the 200m, Siren’s Call drew level with Smart Call but her stablemate Trophy Wife looked the real danger down her outside at that point.
No panic from Piere Strydom
Strydom didn’t panic as Siren’s Call simply changed legs and gunned into overdrive as she drew off to beat her gallant companion by a length in a time of 97,65 secs..
Like she had done in the rich sales race, only to be sandwiched late, Trophy Wife moved up like a winner on Saturday, but appeared to hit a mental block as she hesitated. But this time she had no excuses, and was beaten on pure solid gold merit.
After leading all the way, Smart Call lost nothing in defeat and stayed on gallantly for third. She should be even better in the remaining two legs of the Triple Tiara and could prove a lively threat – especially if the going comes up sticky.
Same Jurisdiction was probably beaten by her poor draw and finished fifth. Her connections will be disappointed.
Trainer Sean Tarry – ist, 2nd and 4th in the Fillies Guineas
Trainer Sean Tarry trained first, second and fourth.to continue a terrific season.
“Thanks to the sponsors Wilgerbosdrift who not only bred the sire of my winner but also bred the second horse. Thanks to Mary Slack for supporting horseracing,” he said.
Siren’s Call was knocked down to Cape trainer Glen Kotzen for just R60 000 at the CPYS Book 2 Sale.
She hails from the Klipdrif Stud’s exciting young stallion Elusive Fort’s first crop. She is out of Peter De Beyer’s rather modest twice winning West Man mare Siren’s Cove, who only won up to 1200m.
We go 200m further in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic on Saturday 28 March at the same venue for the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.
Siren’s Call looks set to scare a few of the big names away at the rate she is going!
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Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, February 28, R500k, 1600m, turf, good, 1.37.65
1 – SIREN’S CALL (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Elusive Fort (SAF) – Siren’s Cove (SAF) by West Man (USA). Owner Mr P G de Beyer; Breeder PG de Beyer; trainer SG Tarry; jockey P Strydom
2 – Trophy Wife (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Tiger Ridge (USA) – My Squeeza (SAF) by Goldmark (SAF)
3 – Smart Call (SAF), 58.0, b f 3, Ideal World (USA) – Good Judgement (USA) by Horse Chestnut (SAF)
Margins: 1.00, 1.00, 0.75
