A Friday 13th at Fairview for the second month running? If the February version is anything to go on, punters should tread wearily again this week, where the R150 000 Listed Breeders Guineas presents a tricky puzzle with eleven fillies lining up at level weights.
We have to go back exactly a month to 13 February and the NBT Breeders Guineas Plate run at the same track, where the Sham’s diminutive Arabica flashed from nowhere to get up and beat the fancied Kumiko in the last stride at 40 to 1.
They are both back for more again, but the KZN-based Gavin Van Zyl could provide punters with some light relief and direction as he saddles the consistent Drakenstein Stud-owned Trippi filly Se Agabor. She looks to have plenty in her favour on Friday – she jumps from the best of the draw with S’manga Khumalo in the saddle.
It is unusual to have a top KZN yard raiding, but with a successful satellite base in Joburg, it will be no issue for the astute family operation.
Trainer Gavin Van Zyl – looking for a big run
Se Agabor was due to travel down from KZN on Tuesday under the guidance of assistant trainer Gareth Van Zyl and Dad Gavin confirmed to the Sporting Post that she was fit and ready to run a decent race.
“She is a quality filly and it makes sense for her owners Drakenstein Stud to optimise her chances to acquire black-type, as they are breeders too at the end of the day. This race was earmarked by their racing manager Kevin Somerville as one such opportunity and we are happy to oblige. She ran second a fortnight ago and I can confirm that she is fit and I am hopeful of a decent run,” he said.
The lightly campaigned Se Agabor has been a model of consistency with a win on turf and on the Greyville polytrack to her credit in nine runs. She runs off an MR of 84 – the second highest rating in the race behind the Snaith’s Cat And The Moon (87).
But ratings across the provincial spectrum can be misleading, as we have learnt!
Justin Snaith – Cat And The Moon is highest rated runner
Snaith saddles Cat And The Moon after Sunset Tripp’s withdrawal.
Cat And The Moon has an electrifying turn of foot on her and ran a fast finishing third behind Gathering Fame in the Listed Jamaica Handicap at her penultimate start. She has won two races from 11 starts.
She is placed at Fairview and will be running on at them late
Glen Kotzen’s One Way Ticket and Cathy Specific are both capable on their day, but the fact that Greg Cheyne sticks with local filly Kumiko indicates that she is better.
One Way Ticket followed up on her maiden win in mid January with an emphatic lower handicap win at next time of asking. She has always been a highly thought of daughter of Jet Master.
Glen Kotzen – decent hand in both features today
Her stablemate Cathy Specific won at any price on debut and her next run in a 1000m handicap at Kenilworth was full of merit as she stayed on late for under 2 lengths behind decent galloper Balkan.
She is crying out for this ground and if not green from a wide draw at her first attempt at Fairview, could be cutting them down late.
Greg Cheyne rides Alan Greeff’s progressive looking Silvano filly Kumiko. She was, as mentioned, run out of it late in the NBT Breeders Guineas Plate last month by the determined outsider Arabica. Kumiko ran quite freely there.
She tries a mile for the first time and while she has plenty of speed on her dam side, she is a long-striding sort who looks likely to enjoy the trip.
She is coupled with Dancing Natasha, who has failed to train on from what looked like a really promising 2yo career.
Arabica was a shock winner last time
The Sham Breeders Guineas Plate winner Arabica is back for more, but the jury is out as to whether she will get the better of Kumiko again.
Arabica had taken 13 runs to win her maiden – achieved on the polytrack.
Karl Zechner has switched allegiances from Arabica and he rides stablemate Rustic Romance for owner Fred Crabbia.
Rustic Romance won her first two starts on the polytrack and was beaten 3,25 lengths behind Arabica in the Breeders Guineas Plate. She looks held by Kumiko on that run.
Se Agabor is the choice to win – with the consistent Kumiko likely to chase her home.
The unexposed Cathy Specific is a possible quartet kicker over a distance that she should relish.
