The 2020 Classic Day feature programme got off to a bit of a shaky start for punters when Paul Peter and Piere Strydom combined to win the R150 000 The Citizen Listed Ruffian Stakes with the 16-1 Springs Of Carmel.
With the well fancied 11-10 favourite Varina always under pressure as they went quickly early, Strydom rode a typically confident race on the recent Vaal maiden winner, Springs Of Carmel.
Piere Strdyom poses as Springs Of Carmel cruises to victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With her stablemate Miracle Flight feeling the weight late in the race, Springs Of Carmel stayed on best to hold off a late charge by the Corne Spies maiden Rabbedoe (55-1) to win by 1,25 in a time 56,55 secs.
Miracle Flight, who drifted to 22-10 at the off, clung on to third for PA punters, a shade ahead of Sean Tarry’s strong finishing Ecstatic Green.
Varina finished just over 2 lengths off the winner.
Jockey Piere Strydom said his mount hadn’t jumped well but at the 600m marker her more fancied stablemate Miracle Flight wasn’t going fast enough for her.
“She was too good for them,” added the veteran of the Klawervlei-bred filly who is bred to fly.
An Equus Champion Sprinter, winning sire Captain Of All, another top son of Captain Al, has made a terrific start to his stud career. The winner’s dam House Of Lorraine was a speedy daughter of Dynasty who won five races to 1200m.
The winner was purchased off the 2019 Cape Yearling Sale for R80 000. She was bought by the Riverton Grooms Co-Op and pinhooked to that sale.
She has now won 2 of 3 starts and has earned R148 900.
