Trainer Sean Tarry and jockey S’manga Khumalo got the 2016 Classic Day at Turffontein on Saturday under way in flying style when the much vaunted, and obviously very talented, Cloth Of Cloud stormed home to maintain her unbeaten record with an eventful victory in the R200 000 Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes.
Cloth Of Cloud and S’manga Khumalo storm clear (Pic – JC Photos)
After her runaway win at Kenilworth on CTS Million Dollar Day earlier this year, the daughter of Captain Al went off a red-hot odds on order to land the spoils in the eight horse field.
While the result was on the board, the commission earned by S’manga Khumalo won’t be his easiest one this term!
Sean Tarry – lovely filly on his hands
Known to have her temperament issues, Cloth Of Cloud was accompanied to the start by a pony and after a few hesitant toe digs, she went in without a fuss.
Settled early as Intriguing Lady and Arissa cut out the pace, Khumalo pressed the button at the 300m and Cloth Of Cloud started lugging to the inside.
When her and Intriguing Lady came together at the 200m, she looked to have a race on her hands, but once straightened she proved too strong to draw away to win by 2,30 lengths in a time of 63,65 secs.
In a bizarre twist, Cloth Of Cloud dug her toes in as she passed the post to come to a dead stop. Disaster was averted as the experienced jockey had both hands close and on the reins and with control of her mouth, he was able to take charge.
The situation could have been disastrous, with a shocked Brandon Lerena glancing across as his mount Cyber Magic sped up late to grab third, and narrowly avoided a collision.
S’manga Khumalo – cool ride
Jockey S’manga Khumalo was as cool as a cucumber in the post-race interview:
”She just needs to calm down and get to know what racing is about. Bullying won’t work with her. I managed to settle her and follow them early, and while the De Kock filly put up a fight, she was getting stronger as we went to the line,” he said.
The cleverly named Cloth Of Cloud was purchased on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and the beautiful filly with the superb action caught the attention of the astute eye of Diane Nagle and Linda Shanahan, who went to R2,2 million to buy her.
Cloth Of Cloud was bred by Highlands and is by Captain Al out of the six-time winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Our Table Mountain, a half-sister to sire Artie Schiller.
Cloth Of Cloud has won two from two and took her stakes earnings to R171 875.
The Gr2 SA Filies Nursery at the end of the month could be next.
Captain Al has 10 lots on offer at the upcoming Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale – with his draft including a filly, bred on the same cross as Cloth Of Cloud, out of a stakes winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare (Lot 50), a half brother to current 2yo sensation Exquisite Touch (Lot 96) and a full brother to top class feature race contenders Alascan Maiden and Captain Lars (Lot134).
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Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 2, R200k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.03.65
1 – CLOTH OF CLOUD (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Our Table Mountain (USA) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA). Owner Mrs Paul Shanahan, Messrs M J Jooste, B Kantor & C J H van Niekerk & Mrs D Nagle; Breeder Highlands; trainer SG Tarry; jockey S Khumalo
2 – Intriguing Lady (AUS), 60.0, ch f 2, New Approach (IRE) – Pleats (FR) by Green Desert (USA)
3 – Cyber Magic (SAF), 58.0, f 2, Ashaawes (USA) – Cyber Toy (SAF) by Modern Day (USA)
Margins: 2.30, 1.20, 0.40
