Roc ‘N Rose (orange) gets the better of the game Rodeo Sioux to win the Listed Queen Palm
Duncan Howells’ Toreador filly Roc ‘N Rose showed that staying is her forte when she produced a tremendous late burst to outgun the seasoned Gauteng stayer Rodeo Sioux to win the R135 000 Listed Queen Palm Handicap at Scottsville on Sunday.
The Joey Soma-trained Rodeo Sioux brought some excellent and consistent Gauteng form into the race and started a weak 7 to 2 favourite. She is a quality stayer and a veritable ATM for her connections.
But she failed by a short head to give the high-riding Anthony Delpech what would have been his fifth winner on the afternoon, as Muzi Yeni produced Roc ‘N Rose from a few lengths off to register her first stakes victory.
Roc ‘N Rose was having her first start beyond 2000m and was some lengths back early on as Antonia’s Fortress led Captain’s Daughter with Rodeo Sioux relaxed against the rail.
Turning for home, Antonia’s Fortress tired as Captain’s Daughter got first run into the straight but soon tired as Rodeo Sioux coasted into the lead.
Winning Form-sponsored jockey Muzi Yeni rode the winner
The Joey Soma trained 4yo was joined by Roc ‘N Rose inside the 300m and the two ran all the way to the line together with the 3kgs making a difference as the Howell’s filly got her head down where it counted.
The winning margin was a head and the race was run in 156,95 secs.
Star Jet ran on well from off the pace to run into third ahead of Enchanted Silk and Dame Victoria.
The pacy Captain’s Daughter fell away to run a distant last. The stipes reported that she was not perservered with and was found to be not striding out.
Winning jockey Muzi Yeni said his season in KZN had been ‘tough’ but thanked trainer Howells.
“She had a terrible break but I was able to gallop thank goodness as the guys stayed off the fence. I cruised up to Anthony Delpech but his horse put up a fight. Roc ‘N Rose did well to fight on. Thanks to my sponsors Winning Form for sticking with me,” he said.
Trainer Duncan Howells has had a frustrating time with Roc ‘N Rose thanks to the fact that no suitable distance events had been available to her.
“I have been stuck with her and last time I had to run her against the colts. It is difficult when one cannot find the right race. This was a better class and the race was run at a nice even gallop. She is talented and very honest,” he said.
Roc ‘N Rose was bred by J A Taylor and is by Toreador out of the twice winning Northern Guest mare, Champion Dancer.
She won her first stakes race here to notch up her fifth win with 4 places from 14 starts and R354 425 in stakes.
