The fairer sex leg of Saturday’s Gr3 Turffontein 3yo double feature on Saturday looks a far more competitive affair than the boys’ equivalent. The presence of a smaller yard amongst the top-rated contestants makes it an interesting race too.
Negroamaro is set for another big run
Trainer Craig Mayhew won’t mind us observing that he is not a regular batter amongst the Group race top order and it is great to see him coming in with a serious classic hopeful in the Jay Peg filly She’s A Dragon, who has won 3 of her 5 starts by an aggregate margin of over 11 lengths.
The Tawny Syndicate bred filly has been brought along slowly and takes her first step into feature race waters on Saturday – and her connections will soon find out if she is as good as she has looked so far in the R250 000 Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes.
Gavin Lerena has won twice on her and he takes the controls again from a decent draw.
The Van Vuuren-Wernars combination will be looking at a big day with New Predator lining up in the Tony Ruffel and Anton Marcus partners the grey Gr3 Fillies Mile winner Negroamaro – named after a red wine grape variety native to southern Italy.
The daughter of Fort Wood jumps from a wide draw but has the versatility and gate speed to overcome that obstacle.
She found the 1200m on the short side last time when staying on strongly for third and 0,75 lengths behind Swift Sarah. That was exactly a month ago and she should be strong enough to take on this lot – certainly on paper where her 104 rating makes her a standout.
Starling Stakes winner Madame Dubois may need it
Piere Strydom is back aboard Gr3 Starling Stakes winner Madame Dubois, who was late withdrawal from the Fillies Mile after undergoing a change of ownership.
The daughter of Count Dubois comes in here off a 14 week break but has her 2 draw in her favour – and the hold on Negroamaro, whom she beat at her third start. Robbie Sage obviously has bigger fish to fry with Madame Dubois and a lot will depend on her race fitness.
Funny Girl
Sean Tarry’s Heaps Of Fun is a course and distance winner but has drawn awfully and was well beaten by 4,25 lengths in the Fillies Mile by Negroamaro.
Heaps Of Fun looked all over a winner in the Listed Swallow Stakes in that terrific comeback fight by her stablemate Mambonick, who received 2kgs from her. She will strip fit.
Persian Rug drops in trip
Mike De Kock is well represented by Persian Rug and Noor.
With Anthony Delpech riding the latter, she may well be the stable pick but has travelled the Cape round-trip where she finished 6,40 lengths behind Silver Mountain in the Cape Fillies Guineas.
Persian Rug is another held by Negroamaro on her 7,50 length fourth in the Fillies Mile. The daughter of newsmaker Ideal World won twice early over 1400m and she may be suited to the shorter trip.
Joan Ranger and Firstimesacharm make up the Lucky Houdalakis coupling.
Joan Ranger looks held on her decent Starling Stakes third and her unplaced effort in the Fillies Mile by Madame Dubois and Negroamaro respectively and should battle to assert her authority.
Firstimesacharm has her first run at Turffontein and tries the 1450m for the first time.
The daughter of Antonius Pius has won twice from five starts and has earned her place – but she will need to put her best foot forward.
Mike Azzie saddles the unbeaten Silvano filly Penny Serenade, who is an interesting contestant from the 1 draw in the hands of ‘J&B’ Van der Merwe.
She has shown good toe in her two sprints, but should easily find this trip on breeding.
Bella Sonata is another daughter of Silvano, and this course and distance winner steps into the feature league for the first time after winning 2 from 3.
She could be the dark horse in the field and has been very impressive to date.
Gary Alexander – another big horse
The Alexander’s Crystal Glamour has drawn terribly at 13 but won her prep run last time despite stumbling at the start.
She ran Tony Ruffel candidate Lineker to a 0,25 length at her penultimate start and looks a very decent sort.
Stan Ferreira’s Juxtapose could have the edge on Crystal Glamour on her last run, but was beaten 7,25 lengths by Negroamaro at her penultimate start.
Her stablemate Spring Dance is a recent maiden winner.
Alec Laird’s Ntoma won her maiden is runaway fashion at her penultimate start but is another held by Negroamaro on the Fillies Mile result.
