Shingwedzi – the progressive Trippi filly look set to win again
The Cape trainers hold a strong hand in the R150 000 Listed East Cape Oaks to be run over 2000m at Fairview on Friday. Mike Bass’ fast improving and beautifully bred Trippi filly Shingwedzi is coming along in leaps and bounds and she has to be the one to beat.
The last time Shingwedzi raced at Fairview, the racing surface was switched from turf to polytrack by the racing operator in view of the weather. But the 3yo handled the curved ball and put in a most professional performance with a smooth win over Justin Snaith’s She’s A Pippa in the Riverton Stud Oaks Plate.
The two meet again on Friday over 200m further on turf and we are leaning towards Shingwedzi to repeat her win. Shingwedzi has won 3 of her 7 starts and is just getting better and better.
She should relish her first tilt at the 2000m test and it is notable that she is out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Buffalo Dance, a half sister to Wolfhound’s French champion racer, Bright Sky.
Var
She’s A Pippa is a beautiful daughter of Var. The big question that needs answering is: does she stay? Her dam was a top class six time winner up to 2000m, but she appeared to o slightly flat in the last 200m of her last race when Shingwedzi went right on by her. She will not have any fitness excuses and the tussle between the two should make for an interesting spectacle.
All The Signs
Glen Kotzen’s Judpot filly Skysign has run three excellent races since her maiden win in October 2013 and she stays very well. She was thrown in at the deep end against the boys last time and ran on really well for a 2,25 length third to Global Destiny, when conceding the son of Dynasty 4kgs.
At her penultimate outing, Skysign was narrowly beaten by Zaccharias, who beat her stablemate Luna De Victoria in her opening KZN season run at Scottsville last Saturday. That gives Skysign’s collateral some substance, and she is not without hope and could upstage the top two.
Tough To Judge
Mitch Wiese’s grey Trippi filly Ado Annie is a consistent sort. She ran 2,75 lengths behind Shingwedzi last time and is 2kgs worse off with her and She’s A Pippa.
It is difficult to guage if that could be nullified by the switch to turf over the extra ground, but there is little question that this filly is very capable and versatile.
Balance
The balance of the runners should struggle on the level weight terms of this race, but are worth mentioning. Jacques Strydom’s Lundy’s Liability filly Bursary has failed to carry the form of her 2yo season. The precocity shown when paying her way early on has not evolved into any serious promise and she would be a shock winner.
All To Do
Alan Greeff’s coupling of Lady Seymour and Bride’s Dowry are both conclusively held by Shingwedzi and She’s A Pippa on their respective efforts in the Oaks Plate, and as one time winners have plenty of improvement required to trouble the top three.
The second of Justin Snaith’s runners is Liwa, who is yet another daughter of Trippi. A one time winner from 12 starts, she looks to have it all to do.
Progressive
Shingwedzi is a confident first selection. She’s A Pippa is a classy filly and Skywise may be the surprise package. The winner must come from one of those three.
