Saint Sophia and Gallica Rose go head to head in the Listed Sun Classique Handicap (Bay Media)
An objection ruined what was essentially a very entertaining race when Mike Bass’ vastly improved Dynasty filly Saint Sophia got the nod in the Kenilworth boardroom to clinch a narrow victory in Saturday’s R150 000 Listed Sun Classique Handicap run over the summer course 2400m.
Heavyweight jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe is riding like a man possessed and it is really worth including everything he throws his leg over.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – decision went against him after great ride
His fine pace judgement, competitive streak and powerful ‘cross-neck’style power-riding make him a demon to bury in any tight finish and young Grant Van Niekerk had to play second fiddle in a thrilling climax to the supporting feature.
That is, until the stipes burst the Bernie balloon by overturning things on enquiry.
There was plenty of evidence of solid pace in the ten-horse field but few would have second guessed the catch-me-if-you-can tactics adopted by veteran Gerrit Schlechter who rocketed Paddy Kruyer’s Ashaawes filly Catchphrase into a close on fifteen lengths lead.
In any other racing jurisdiction, the change of tactics may have been questioned but what Catchphrase did was set up a true run race and a perfect platform for the weak joint 9 to 2 favourites to fight matters out.
Jockey Aldo Domeyer had no luck early when losing his stirrup irons on the eventual winner’s stablemate, Counting Angels.
Catchphrase was leading by a mile into the home straight but she started wobbling inside the 350m as Joey Ramsden’s Gallica Rose moved up sweetly down the inside under Fayd’herbe, with Saint Sophia going for her run down the middle.
At about the 200m marker Saint Sophia actually drifted inwards towards Gallica Rose first, before Joey Ramsden’s Silvano started hanging out under pressure.
In the drive to the line Fayd’herbe got Gallica Rose to rally and he forced her head down to win a cracker in a time of 152,95 secs.
Not a bad effort by the daughter of Silvano, considering she was giving the ‘runner-up’ 6,5kgs and returning from a 19 week break – the joy of the Ramsden treadmill technology again!
Grant Van Niekerk – things went his way
But Van Niekerk was not happy and the result was overturned after an objection and extensive deliberation by the stipes. Not a bad end to a day that started with Van Niekerk actually being stood down under an automatic injury suspension from Fairview on Friday!
A fast improving 4yo, Saint Sophia showed her appreciation for the ground and has now won 3 of 17 starts with 9 places and R255 675 in stakes.
She also now has some valuable black type to her name and is well bred too.
Saint Sophia was bred by Highlands and is a daughter of Dynasty out of the four-time winning Saint Ballado mare, The Graceful Saint.
She is a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate.
