Inara (Grant Van Niekerk) makes it look easy as she beats stablemate Come Fly With Me (Sean Cormack) and Fear Not (orange cap on rail) (Pic: Wayne Marks)
The dual Gr1 winning Trippi flyer Inara stamped her authority in emphatic fashion with a conclusive victory in Saturday’s R250 000 Gr3 Diana Stakes at Durbanville. The Drakenstein owned and bred 4yo looks set for another sizzling summer season.
Only eight fillies went to post for the second leg of the Durbanville feature double, and with just one 3yo in the lineup, it was clear from the outset that Inara looked the one to beat – despite a 6kg turnaround at the weights with her stablemate, Come Fly With Me, on their last meeting.
On that occasion, Inara had beaten Come Fly With Me over the course and distance by two lengths. But the paper stats failed to express the ease of her win – and on Saturday she showed herself to be a few lengths fitter too and the superior galloper – by far.
Backed into 5 to 10, Inara was relaxed as her stablemate Come Fly With Me loped along out front in the hands of visiting rider, Sean Cormack.
Fear Not was snapping at their heels and looked dangerous momentarily at the 350m marker, as Inara moved up to challenge Come Fly With Me.
The race was in the bag at the 250m marker though as Grant Van Niekerk pressed the launch button and Inara lengthened and galloped strongly to hold Come Fly With Me by 1 length in a time of 85,34 secs.
Fear Not is as game as they come and while outclassed, she showed good pace throughout and finished a head behind Come Fly With Me.
Harvard Crimson made up many lengths and caught the eye with a decent fourth placed effort – she may be one to be with next time against lesser company.
Inara, named after the goddess of the wild animals of the steppe, was the daughter of the Storm-god, in Hittite–Hurrian mythology.
Mike Bass – home for day on Sunday
She was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is a 3yo daughter of Trippi out of the very well related Shirley Heights mare, Mountains Of Mist.
She has now won 5 of her 13 starts with 5 places and R1 820 325 in stakes, and her victory certainly vindicated the decision to keep her in training for another season.
The Diana Stakes exacta was a lovely present for trainer Mike Bass – who was scheduled to visit the Milnerton stables and spend the day at home on Sunday with his family.
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Gr3 Diana Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Durbanville, South Africa, October 3, R250k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.25.34
1 – INARA (SAF), 60.0, b f 4, Trippi (USA) – Mountains Of Mist (IRE) by Shirley Heights (GB). Owner Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); Breeder Drakenstein Stud; trainer MW Bass; jockey G v Niekerk
2 – Come Fly With Me (SAF), 57.0, b f 4, Jet Master (SAF) – Fly The Wind (SAF) by Model Man (SAF)
3 – Fear Not (SAF), 57.0, b f 4, Ideal World (USA) – Koffiefontein (USA) by Diesis (GB)
Margins: 1.00, 0.10, 0.10
