She’s A Pippa rallies to beat Shingwedzi in a thriller (Coastal Photos)
Avontuur’s super sire Var was on the feature scoreboard for the umpteenth time this season when Team Valor International’s courageous chestnut She’s A Pippa won the R150 000 Listed East Cape Oaks in a desperately close finish on the Polytrack at Fairview on Friday.
With the local meeting switched from the turf the doubts about Justin Snaith’s Var filly’s ability to see out the 2000m would have increased. But under a great ride, she managed to comprehensively turn the tables on the Mike Bass trained Shingwedzi in a rousing finish.
Muzi Yeni took Skysign up to lead Addo Annie, with the two main protagonists She’s A Pippa and Shingwedzi lurking in third and fourth respectively and keeping a close eye on each other.
Into the home run Grant Van Niekerk moved Shingwedzi up strongly to challenge and she hit the front looking a winner.
Richard Fourie is unconvinced that She’s A Pippa stays 2000m
But Fourie had other ideas and he was conserving She’s A Pippa for a final burst. This he performed to perfection and she hit the front at the 200m and ran on powerfully to win by a short head in a time of 126,74 secs.
Local breeder and steward Peter Fenix presented the winning trophy to Snaith Assistant Estelle Blake.
“What a fantastic ride by Richard Fourie. This is also such a gutsy and professional filly. She really has the heart of a lion,” she said.
Jockey Richard Fourie was still unconvinced that the winner goes 2000m.
“She was so above herself and I thought that the distance was a big concern. I had to ride her more conservatively than usual. The favourite was on my outside going into the final stages but She’s A Pippa gave me a beautiful kick. But I still don’t think she goes 2000m,” he laughed.
She’s A Pippa was bred by Team Valor International and is a daughter of Var out of the very smart Jet Master mare, She’s On Fire.
As can probably be deducted, she is named after Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh, who follows her career with passion.
She has now won 4 races with 2 places from 9 starts and took her earnings to R240 000.
