The fairer sex dominated the opening feature on SA Derby Day at Turffontein on Saturday as the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained What A Winter filly Celestial Love charged to an impressive victory in the R150 000 Gr3 Man O’War Sprint.
With the unfortunate withdrawal earlier in the day of the topweight MK’S Pride, the 3yo speed feature lost some of its lustre with only six runners starting at the 1100m.
But the race delivered a promising lightly raced filly who capitalised on her galloping weight to register her first stakes success in a partnership of the Wernars family and Harry Wilson.
Chase Maujean has Celestial Love well in command (Pic – JC Photos)
After the speedy Valyrian King had come up for air at the 300m, Chase Maujean sent Celestial Love (15-10) to lead and she drew right away to beat Laetitia’s Angel (20-1) by 3,75 lengths in a time of 63,29 secs.
Mike de Kock’s Al Sakeet (15-10) lost his twice unbeaten profile when plodding for a well beaten third, a further two lengths back.
True To Life won a good race a half hour earlier in the Wernars’ silks for Johan Janse van Vuuren.
Celestial Love was bred by Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud and is by Equus Speed Champion What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the twice winning Lecture mare, Leylani.
She was purchased by Vermaak Equine for R120 000 off the 2019 BSA KZN Yearling Sale.
Celestial Love has won 4 of her 7 starts with 3 places for stakes of R288 250.
The R1 million carryover ensured the Pick 6 just reached the projected target and went to R5 056 445.
