A week after winning the Listed Oaks Trial at Turffontein, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat South Africa posted another feature success for trainer Sean Tarry when Vercingetorix’ daughter Seeham stormed clear early in the home straight to win the R100 000 Listed Jacaranda Handicap.
After things hadn’t gone her way in the Acacia Handicap at her last start, the progressive Seeham put her best foot forward when Kuda jockey Lyle Hewitson set her alight at the 450m marker.
Seeham, who can only get stronger over more ground, gathered momentum after stablemate Magical Flight had set the fractions and she won easing up by 5 lengths in a time of 109, 22 secs.
Lyle Hewitson steers Seeham to a facile victory (Pic – JC Photos)
De Kock’s Sparkling Water (5-1) stayed on for second, with Heather Adamson’s charge Fort Anne (25-1) boosting the trifecta in third.
Hewitson has formed a solid relationship with the winning filly, making it three strikes in three starts.
Trainer Sean Tarry said that he felt Seeham was unlucky last time but was pleased that she had won so well.
“She is a daughter of a blue hen – it’s a lovely family. Well done to Al Adiyaat and the whole team,” he added.
When quizzed on where to next for Seeham, Tarry quipped dryly– “The handicapper places our horses. We will wait and see.”
The winner is a first-crop daughter of internationally successful Equus champion Vercingetorix, who raced in the same silks.
She is out of the top-class Al Mufti mare, Alderry, whose wins included a win in the Gr2 November Charity Mile.
Alderry is a half-sister to the high-class Royal Vintage and is the dam of G1 SA Derby winner Al Sahem – whose sire Silvano is also responsible for Seehaam’s multiple Gr1 winning sire Vercingetorix.
The family have enjoyed a happy association with the Tarry yard.
Seeham has won 4 races with 1 place from 6 starts.
Her sole non earning effort was in the Acacia Handicap on 27 February when she was carried out and forced to race wide around the turn.
Her rider that afternoon was Apprentice Joshwin Solomons who was questioned with particular reference to his ride around the turn.
He explained to the Board that it was his intention, after jumping well, to sit 3 or 4 lengths off the pace – but into the first turn he ended up racing wide after being carried out. In order to correct this and sit closer to the fence, he was forced to sit back further in the field than he had intended. These actions resulted in him losing ground to the field. The Board noted the explanation, which was corroborated by the patrol films.
