Double Whammy going the right way
The late withdrawal of Joey Ramsden’s exciting Tapit filly Grey Light has handed the Gr3 Diana Stakes on a silver platter to Glen Kotzen’s daughter of Judpot, Double Whammy.
Let’s not overlook the fact that there are six other nice sorts in the 2014 renewal of this race that is over sixty years old and has a proud history of producing top racehorses.
Some of the familiar names on the Diana honour roll will ignite great memories of star performers of yesteryear.
Peter Kannemeyer’s Mrs Noah won it twice. Who can forget Izindaba, who was trained by Alex Nicholas and ran so well for jockey Eric Fordred? Mike Bass’ Sweet Chestnut was top – class and what about the Millard flyer Party Time?
In The Now
But that is a bit of history and Saturday is the present.
Joey Ramsden
The race is split evenly by the 3yo’s and 4yo’s and like the Matchem, one has to feel that the winner lies with the younger generation.
Double The Money
Warren Laird and Judy Wintle’s Judpot filly, Double Whammy, looks the right one.
Glen Kotzen –
The Shirluck Stud bred bay has won two of her three outings in really impressive style and also lays claim to the scalp of the promising Cold As Ice who won her next start going away.
Double Whammy has her first start at Durbanville but is bound to have seen the track and is drawn one gate outside the Ramsden grey.
The two stand out but it may prove bad tactics to ignore the rest.
Greg Ennion’s In Limine ran on steadily over the course and distance a fortnight back when staying on just over 2,15 lengths behind Jet Set Go – another bomb who would have made an interesting addition to this line up!
In Limine is coupled with Perpetua, who comes off a 21 week rest and likely to need the run. The daughter of Scarlet Letter was an impressive Durbanville maiden winner and enjoys the best of the draw.
Older Generation
Of the older girls, Lanner Falcon also returns from a break – of 13 weeks after running 10 lengths behind Beach Beauty on July Day.
She ran a fair third to Jet Belle in the Poinsettia Stakes earlier, and on her better Cape form must have a place chance.
Mike Bass won the race last year with the well-performed Hammie’s Hooker and he aslo saddles the Jet Master 4yo Princess Of the Sky, who faded over a too far 2200m last time.
She is another who has been rested.
Hot Pair
Brett Crawford
Brett Crawford and Corne Orffer are in hot form and they step out Zacharias after an 18 week rest.
She ran 9 lengths behind the overseas bound In The Fast Lane in the Woolavington 2000 and if not in need of the run, could run into the places.
Justin Snaith’s Highly Decorated enjoys the services of Bernard Fayd’herbe and will have benefitted with a run under the belt.
That was a fortnight ago over the course and distance, when she only tired late for a 3,40 length fourth behind Jet Set Go.
The 3yo In Limine finished ahead of her and enjoys an additional 2,5kg pull. But Highly Decorated is an earlier course winner and would only need to bounce back to best to challenge.
Take Your Pick
Double Whammy has taken it baby-steps style and is exposed at feature level here for the first time.
She has done nothing wrong and looks an exciting prospect
