Flashback: Gareth Wright guides Rosier to win the East Cape Fillies Nursery
last year for Kotzen
Paarl-based trainer Glen Kotzen looks well set to register a double when he travels to Fairview on Friday for the R150 000 Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery. He won this race last year with the well-performed Rosier and is represented this time round by champion Princess Victoria’s half-sister, Princess Royal.
The Cape yards are on their seasonal plunder in the Eastern Cape and after Charles Lytton grabbed the honours in last Friday’s Listed Ibhayi Stakes, it could well be a visiting win again.
Sadly Justin Snaith, who looked to pose Princess Royal’s likely major threat in the Trippi filly, Sunrise In Africa, has withdrawn her. Snaith also has a scratching in the second of the day’s features.
Princess Royal has only run twice, winning easily on a well-backed debut over 1100m and then running a decent enough fourth on Met Day in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes behind the good colt Buckinghampshire.
Glen Kotzen – his good 2yo should go close
Her half-sister (by Victory Moon) was probably Glen Kotzen’s best racer of recent memory beyond Big City Life. The multiple award-winning Equus champion was a versatile galloper and there is little doubt that Princess Royal will handle the 1200m of Friday with ease.
For those looking for lucky owner omens, it may be worth noting that a certain Peter De Beyer’s name is listed in the illustrious partnership that race her.
The one niggle with Princess Royal is the observation that she was changing legs when running fourth on Met Day. It is safe to assume that Glen would not be sending her all the way to PE without having sorted her issues out.
Kotzen also saddles the Argonaut filly, The Good Wife, a maiden after two runs. While a place prospect, she looks to be along for the ride as a travelling companion.
Alan Greef takes his chances with City Express
Alan Greeff saddles the King’s Apostle filly City Express.
She was beaten 11,25 lengths by Baloo Baleerie last time and even with a 3kg turnaround in the weights, could battle.
With his regular rider Greg Cheyne having won on her and opting rather to ride the Kotzen flyer, it is safe to assume who the in-form jockey holds in the higher esteem.
Gavin Smith saddles a three-way coupling, with two of his having met at their last outing.
The Toreador filly Baloo Baleerie received 2,5kgs and beat the well-bred Chestevin by 2 lengths at their last meeting.
At level weights on Friday, there should be little to choose between them.
Gavin Smith – saddles three runners
Chestevin, a daughter of the ill-fated Horse Chestnut out of a top mare, won her 800m scurry debut with both Mock Mambo and City Express in arrears. At the rate of improvement shown in short by the youngsters, it is safe to suggest that this will not count for much given their individual increased experience.
The third of the Smith runners is Mock Mambo, the only course and distance winner in the race.
The daughter of Mambo In Seattle was ridden by Gavin Lerena when getting home in a tight finish to beat Shiraz Cabernet last time. Lerena rides her again.
Yvette Bremner saddles a coupling of La Rebel and the maiden Wicked Lass.
The speedy La Rebel must come into the reckoning as she beat Baloo Baleerie with a sustained late burst.
It is of some concern that she was recorded as having made a respiratory noise and this is a fair step up in class.
Wicked Lass ran third on debut beaten 3,25 lengths by La Rebel and she looks held by her stablemate again.
Princess Royal is a confident first choice to win this and could provide punters with a ready made exotic banker.
