Good Gal! Rain Gal (Richard Fourie) gallops on powerfully to win the Listed Jockey Club Stakes (Coastal Photos)
The super Snaith express moved into top gear at Fairview on Friday when the champion outfit saddled the last four winners on the card, including Rain Gal in the R130 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes run over 2000m.
There was much elation after Rain Gal had registered some well deserved black type at what was thought to be her swan song appearance in the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes at Kenilworth a fortnight ago.
She has obviously become accustomed to the stakes winning habit and grabbed a second slice of the paddock enhancing paint when winning the PE Friday feature event with ease under a well balanced ride by Richard Fourie.
The result was never in doubt as Rain Gal galloped on powerfully to win by 2,25 lengths in a time of 128,71secs.
She beat the consistent Daffodil Day, with another promising sort in Silvan Spirit running on into third.
The win was the cherry on the top of a momentous afternoon for the Snaith team.
Girl Power! Rain Gal is led in by Miegen Guscott and Estelle Blake (Coastal Photos)
Their new local assistant, Estelle Blake, saddled the last four winners on the Fairview programme.
The 42yo horsewoman has around 40 horses in her care and any fears that former Snaith assistant Juan Nel would be difficult to replace, have been quickly allayed, with the quietly spoken Blake stepping quickly up to the table.
A low profile personality with an impressive equine CV, Estelle Blake (nee Cadman) has worked for the likes of trainers Mike Schuleman, Stan Elley and the late Guy Rixon, in years gone by.
Her and her husband, Gavin, who manages the Mike Bass satellite operation in Port Elizabeth, are both accomplished competition level riders. They also ran a spelling and pre training facility at Phillipi prior to relocating to the UK.
A qualified Veterinary Nurse, Estelle has extensive international stable management experience and is a former Cape Hunt and Polo Club rider.
Leading Lady. Estelle Blake says she is excited at the challenge that lies ahead
She says that she is looking forward to the season ahead with ‘great excitement’ and admitted Juan Nel had left big shoes to fill and would be a ‘tough act to follow.’
Rain Gal was bred in Australia by Messrs T Mobbs & Ken Wikely and is a daughter of world champion sire Galileo out of the three time winning Hurricane Sky mare, Raining.
She retires with a record of 6 wins and 11 places from her 22 starts.
She took her earnings with this victory to R398 225.
She is scheduled to be visiting Gimmethegreenlight, who also raced in the Adams silks.
