The Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein-bred Master Of My Fate filly Joy And Peace spearheaded a fairer sex 1-2-3 in Friday’s R350 000 TAB Listed East Cape Derby to celebrate a rare regional Oaks-Derby double.
Kendall Minnie brings Joy And Peace through from last to catch the pacesetter and draw clear to win (Pic – Pauline Herman)
The yellow and black silks of the winning partnership of the Pine Lodge Stud & Halo Stables T/A Halo Syndicate (Nom: Mr A C Greeff), like the rest of the world, would probably have expected to win the final leg of the East Cape Sophomore Challenge with their 8-10 stablemate Fairy Knight.
But the handsome son of Global View came under pressure in the home run and frankly didn’t appear to see out the 2400m, after Kaidan Brewer had left them for dead early on Woman’s World, who set the pace benchmark and led the charge by a good fifteen lengths turning for home.
The move by the Kelly Mitchley filly probably upset the orthodox plans, and it was left to Kendall Minnie, who brought Joy And Peace (4-1) through from last to catch the pacesetter, and draw clear to win by 2,25 lengths in a time of 51,77 secs.
The Global View filly Woman’s World (16-1) stayed on doggedly for second, while her stablemate Public Benefit (12-1) plugged on for third, a further 2 lengths back.
With visitors from Australia in their midst, the Halo Syndicate enjoyed two runners in the prestigious Eastern Cape feature, a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’, in the words of seasoned trainer Alan Greeff.
Jockey Kendal Minnie rides the winner in work regularly, and it was good to see the journeyman getting a chance to show his mettle. He rode a polished race, and his emotion in the post-race interview was refreshing.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Joy And Peace is by Varsfontein’s Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate out of the three-time winning Spectrum mare, Amazing Grace.
Joy And Peace has now taken her tally to 5 wins with 5 places from 13 starts for stakes of R562 126.
A National 2yo Sale graduate, Joy And Peace only cost R130 000 and looks set to give her connections plenty of fun yet.
As for Fairy Knight, he will be back.
