Sean Tarry – should enjoy a big day today
The only 3yo in the field and a beautifully-bred daughter of Galileo stallion Teofilo could be the key to the R400 000 Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes which will be run at weight for age over the Turffontein 2000m today. Besides her obvious ability, the Sean Tarry trained Tamaanee has S’manga Khumalo in the irons and jumps from a 2 draw.
The Irish-bred Teofilo gets them to run and while his own career was very short – he was undefeated in five starts at 2, including two Gr1’s – his progeny have shown they are capable and he has produced over 60 stakes performers – including Irish Derby winner, Trading Leather.
Above Average
Tamaanee faces ten older rivals in this event and while going 2000m for the first time she looks capable of delivering a big performance.
A winner of 2 from 6 starts, her last three feature race efforts have shown her to be way above average.
She showed up for a long way in the Gr1 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes last time out and only finished 3,50 lengths behind champion Majmu.
Prior to that she was under 4 lengths behind Siren’s Call in both the Gauteng Guineas and the Classic. She certainly looks superior to her opposition here.
Amber Orchid stays on powerfully to win the Jacaranda
Her stablemate Amber Orchid (another well-bred future broodmare) found her best form last time with a smooth win in the Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap, despite losing a shoe in running.
With Anton Marcus aboard she should have a shout again, although the handicapper does not hold her in the same regard as her younger companion.
The third of the Tarry trio is the Kahal filly Enchanted Silk, who ran 3 lengths behind Tamaanee in the Empress Club. She is held in some regard by her astute trainer but has been disappointing and needs to show a little more spark.
Serious Challenger
Ormond Ferraris – sends out Erin
The Ormond Ferraris yard is in top form and the Fort Wood mare Erin must come into the reckoning.
She was right in the action and only run out of it late by Wild Ash in the Listed Spook Express Handicap.
She ran third in the Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap and is a fit galloper who is surely deserving of a long overdue stakes win.
The Lucky Houdalakis trained Fortitude almost caused an upset when going down 0,75 lengths to Amber Orchid in the Jacaranda Handicap.
The Stronghold mare will be ridden by Sean Cormack and while having plenty to do at the weights, may be worthy of a quartet inclusion.
Piere Strydom stays with Gavin Van Zyl’s Silvano soldier Vino Veritas, who switched late and fell away to 4,50 lengths away in the Jacaranda.
She won her previous two starts in great fashion and from a 1 draw with a top jockey aboard must go into calculations.
Her stablemate Mohave Princess may lack for fitness as she has not run in 21 weeks.
Grey Way
Touch The Sky – unlucky last time
Geoff Woodruff’s magnificent grey Touch The Sky was bumped in running when a fair third in the Listed Spook Express Handicap. She won over the course and distance but that was ove a year ago and she may find it tough at weight for age.
The same applies to another magnificently bred grey in Mike De Kock’s Santa Carolina, who finished in front of Touch The Sky in the Jacaranda. She has also not managed a win in her 4yo season and the likes of Tamaanee looks to enthusiastic for her.
The Gary Alexander duo of Classic Illusion and Mystic Tigress can only have outside claims.
Interestingly, Classic Illusion has tumbled down the ratings from a 103 high to her current MR of 88, so has the ability to improve again.
Confident
All told, we are aware that fillies and mares can often produce topsy turvy results.
But Tamaanee is a confident selection to record her third win at the expense of the overdue Erin and Vino Veritas.
