Plettenberg Bay-based Rob Knuppe has a strike rate from small numbers over an extended period that is the envy of any breeder. And his silks, worn to Gr1 success by the top-class Tara’s Touch and others, have a new home on the back of a fast-rising 4yo filly in KZN.
The Missing U Syndicate look to have another good one after She’s A Keeper took the step up in style to stakes level to win the R100 000 World Sports Betting Listed The Scarlet Lady at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Warren Kennedy has no pressure as She’s A Keeper storms to victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Trying the 1750m for the first time after three smart efforts post her Hollywoodbets Greyville 1200m debut victory in December 2020, the daughter of the rampant Varsfontein sire Gimmethegreenlight ran wide throughout but still managed to produce a sustained effort under a visibly impressed Warren Kennedy.
The Gareth van Zyl galloper drew right away to win by over 2 lengths in a time of 105,27 secs.
Watch the race here
“I didn’t want to press her as she was going the 1750m for the first time. She didn’t have the gate speed. I would like to have sat on her a bit longer. But she made up the ground in no time and looks like she will go 2000m,” said the reigning SA champion jockey.
Rob Knuppe and his partner, Port Elizabeth Attorney Jonathan Connellan, have big plans for the lightly raced filly, who was given 18 months off early after a tendon injury.
We asked Rob how he manages to find the good ones so regularly with only a handful of mares.
He bred the top-class National Park from Gimmethegreenlight by scientifically matching a Camden Park mare that he picked up for R5 000.
“Well I own the share in Gimmethegreenlight so knew what I felt we needed. We bought She’s A Keeper’s Trippi dam Gold Trip off Drakenstein. She was destined for a sale – but an AHS issue threw a spanner in the works and the sale was delayed. She’s A Keeper was a beauty from the day she was born. We have been very patient too, as she injured a tendon early.”
The veteran is the consummate prudent racing man, and he knows that it is rich talking possible Gr1 glory after four starts and a Listed strike.
“In the hope that she stays sound, we’d like to consider the Durban July or the Garden Province Stakes as her goals this season. That’s how good we believe she is.”
She’s A Keeper has won 4 of her 5 starts with 1 place for stakes of R213 250.
She’s one for the SA Champions Season notebook.
The Vodacom Durban July entries will be announced on Wednesday after the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Ed – Lifetime KZN racing man Selwyn Elk posed this question about the name of this feature – anybody willing to wager an explanation?
Scarlet Lady ( Lords – Scarteen ) was one of the best fillies to have graced the turf in the early 80’s . Trained by Alistair Gordon she won 12 of her 14 starts all over SPRINT distances, 1200 meters being her forte. I certainly find it appropriate to have a race named in her honour at Hollywoodbets Scottsville – but why over 1750 meters? I am sure there is a sprint race over the winter season that would be far more appropriate to name after that great sprinting filly of yesteryear.
