Talented Sort. Gavin Smith sends out the former Drier filly Miss Ipanema in her first run in the Eastern Cape
The R130 000 Listed Lady’s Pendant to be run over 1200m at Fairview on Friday has attracted a bumper field of eighteen fillies and mares. Cape trainer Justin Snaith holds a strong hand, but there are a few in with winning chances.
Snaith’s trio includes two of the three highest rated runners in this event, but some uncertainty must exist over the participation of the very smart Victorian Secret, after she was withdrawn at the start of her scheduled race at Kenilworth last Saturday. She was apparently kicked by another horse in the race, and is unlikely to run.
Phenomenon
Justin’s super reliable Hurricane Katrina, however, will not let the side down and the 6yo Windrush mare has won 9 of 31 starts in an impressive career. She was outclassed in the Majorca when running 7,30 lengths behind Blueridge Mountain, but seems much better over this kind of trip. Hurricane Katrina won her penultimate outing, over Friday’s course and distance, when drawing clear to easily account for Lunar Lee by 2,25 lengths.
There is a weight turnaround with Lunar Lee that may worry the Snaith supporters. In that MR 92 Handicap, Hurricane Katrina received 6,5kgs from Lunar Lee, and now has to give the Sham mare 1,5 kgs. That is a massive turnaround of 8 kgs, and even with the knowledge that Bernard Fayd’herbe is worth a few lengths on the young apprentice rider that partnered her there, it is going to be very tough.
Excuses
While Hurricane Katrina has travelled to and from Cape Town in the interim, Lunar Lee had had three unplaced runs. She probably had excuses in all three starts, and it is interesting to note that her regular partner Wayne Agrella has been replaced by JP Van Der Merwe.
Lunar Lee ran an unplaced but not disgraced fifth behind Rush For John in the Lady’s Bracelet, and then just 3,60 lengths behind the top class 3yo Sedge over the course and distance. She was not striding out in her last start, when running fifth to the very talented Agra.
The former Dennis Drier trained Australian bred Miss Ipanema is now based with Gavin Smith and Knut Haug’s 4yo only needs to regain some of her better earlier form to have a winning shout here. She has won 3 of her 18 starts and was not far off the best in her 3yo year.
Lightly Raced
The second of the Smith runners is the lightly raced Irish bred Red Ransom mare, Wiqaaya. She has had her problems and has been reported striding short at a few of her outings. If sound, she is capable of running a place here.
Threatening
Grant Paddock’s Poppins is threatening to record her first win in the Eastern Cape, and has registered three second places and a host of lesser places at her last ten outings to show her well being. Her stablemate Vivalda is a course and distance winner, who must also have major claims to the winner’s cheque. A winner of 3 of her 5 starts, the daughter of Var ran a cracking second at level weights to Agra at her last outing.
Justin Snaith is also represented by the 3yo Black Minnaloushe filly Cat’s Paw, who is very fast and has registered her two wins over 1000m at Kenilworth. Her dam won five times up to 1200m, and there is no reason to believe that this lightly raced filly cannot challenge for the places.
Super Seven
Two major stables field seven runners between them. Alan Greeff sends out yet another former Drier mare in the form of Grammatica and the rather enigmatic Flashing Star.
Grammatica has been improving quickly again and while seemingly well held by Hurricane Katrina, could burgle a minor place. Apprentice Teague Gould claims 1,5 kgs and appears to get on very well with her. She is coupled with the Muhtafal filly Flashing Star, who is another who appears to have her problems, but puts in a big run every now and again.
Yvette Bremner saddles five of the eighteen runners, and while her combination will be included by Pick six players, she cannot rate her chances too highly. The best of her runners may well be Hassen Adams’ Var mare Lydia Lopokovo, who ran on strongly for third behind Danavano at her last start. That was a terrific run in mixed sex company, and her rider Wayne Agrella will not lack for motivation to win this race.
Top Two
The chances of an upset result in this eighteen strong field is very likely. We see it as a shootout between the consistent Hurricane Katrina, the long overdue Poppins and the new girl, Miss Ipanema. Bernard Fayd’Herbe won’t be travelling to Port Elizabeth for the fun of it, and we suggest Hurricane Katrina will show her class and win it.
