As the name suggests, the R150 000 Listed Off To Stud Stakes run over a mile on the Greyville polytrack today is a traditional black type last chance saloon for the fairer sex. The weights are allocated in bands and Sean Tarry holds a strong hand with his quintet.
The race was won last year by the solid grey Pecan Nut, who gave lifetime conditioner Stan Elley the final feature success of his illustrious career.
Flashback to 2015 – Pecan Nut wins Off To Stud
Sean Tarry could well hold the trump card this time round, with the versatile course and distance winning Trippi 4yo In Other Words at the top weights.
In Other Words – well in with Striker up for added value
Piere Strydom partners the Klawervlei Stud-bred galloper who has won 6 of her ten starts, but is still in search of that first splash of paddock value enhancing black-type. From a decent draw, she looks a very big runner.
S’manga Khumalo -rides Chennai Babe
S’manga Khumalo rides her stablemate Chennai Babe, a daughter of Kahal, who has also won 6 races and shares the course and distance distinction.
Chennai Babe had excuses at her penultimate start when found to have pulled up lame, and was hampered when running handy and staying on for second behind Lala last time.
Of the balance, Enchanted Silk and Seventh Heart, who chased July reserve Trophy Wide home last time, would have claims at best.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren saddles the mostly consistent Silver Class, who ran stone last in the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes last time.
On her best form to class gallopers of the likes of Carry On Alice and Alexis, she must have a place hope.
Gavin van Zyl – natural pacemaker
Gavin Van Zyl’s forward running Cassie O’Malley is often left to do the donkey work, and often stays on very well.
She was beaten under a half length in the Listed East Coast Cup behind Deputy Ryder and only shortened her stride late. If she adapts to the poly, she could give them a fright.
Weiho Marwing saddles course and distance winner Mamasita, who looks to have plenty to do from the wide draw – and on her current form profile.
Cracker
Duncan Howells’ Judpot filly Crackpot just does not know how to run a poor race.
Duncan Howells – saddles Crackpot
The 4yo relocated from PE towards the end of 2015 but is always thereabouts and is a course and distance winner with a lethal turn of foot. She looks to have lots to do at these weights, but seems a natural quartet kicker if overcoming her wide draw.
Brett Crawford’s Speedy Chestnut improved nicely at her second KZN start this term and earlier won two in a row at home – beating the capable Haarlem Shake.
Supreme Dynasty is a half kilo better off with Speedy Chestnut and finished just behind her last time out. She is drawn wide and has now won in a while.
Call Me Maybe is never far off the action but looks to have quite a task at these weights and has her second run after a five month break.
The reserve runners Alpine Ridge and the beautifully bred Grey Light will both need improvement – assuming they get a run.
In Other Words has plenty in her favour and Strydom should suit her well.
She is the suggested banker – with stablemate Chennai Babe and the consistent and game Crackpot the dangers.
