The richly endowed HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Plates produced upset results of varying proportions at Turffontein on Saturday.
The HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Plate For all Maidens and the HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Plate For Fillies and Mares were both run over 1400m and boasted a stakes pot of R250 000 – an amount that should ideally be the norm and an every day occurrence.
With a first cheque of R156 250 up for grabs, both races were hotly contested.
Sean Tarry produced the magic and defied the weight-for-age odds, sending out the only 2yo in the line-up for the fairer sex contest.
Luke Ferraris steers Victoria Paige to an impressive first win (Pic – JC Photos)
The Ascot Stud bred Victoria Paige was easy to back at 8-1 and bounded home with an impressive late run under Luke Ferraris to beat the 4yo Take My Word in a time of 87,41 secs.
The 18-10 favourite Eskimo Kisses had every opportunity under Gavin Lerena, but was one-paced late and finished a well-beaten 3,75 length fourth. She is proving expensive to follow.
The winner, a R600 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, is a daughter of Captain Al out of a well-related unraced Mark Of Esteem mare. This was a really smart effort.
The Sporting Post’s personality of the week, Calvin Habib – read all about him here – produced a Pick 6 knockout courtesy of the Redoute’s Promise gelding Chipofftheoldblock, who returned fighting fresh after a 21 week break.
Calvin Habib steers Chipofftheoldblok to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
The Bush Hill Stud bred galloper improved on his first seven outings to win the popular exotic opener at 50-1 and beat the favourite Stockbridge by 0,80 lengths in a time of 87,43 secs.
The winner is trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren and enjoyed a top ride by the promising Habib who is developing into a decent rider.
