With some really smartly bred youngsters and the 2yo’s natural capacity to improve from one month to the next, the Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery is a tricky 1200m contest – with little to separate them on exposed form.
Perfect Promise Sprint winner Amy Johnson (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Captain Al dominates the field with four runners representing the deceased Klawervlei super producer and Vaughan Marshall’s April debut winner Mirage – the first of two Captain Al greys in the nine horse field – was well supported on debut when beating Sailing Ship with some ease. While she is the least exposed of the fancied runners, she looks very smart and can follow up.
Drama Queen meets Amy Johnson on 2kgs better terms for a head beating in the Perfect Promise Sprint. This daughter of Ashaawes – a winner over 1400m – looks to be getting better with racing and will be staying on at the business end.
The beautifully bred Perfect Promise Sprint winner Amy Johnson caught the eye when staying on strongly late to win there after going down 2,75 lengths – at level weights – behind Mirage on her debut. She looks like a filly with a bright future.
Driving Miss Daisy beat Sanskrift to win her maiden at her second start after an unfancied debut when beaten 3,70 lengths by Cousin Liz. She went the 1400m last time when going down 2,50 lengths to Drama Queen – whom she meets here on 3kgs better terms.
The very well related Sanskrift has run three decent races and ran on well for third and 1,30 lengths behind Amy Johnson in the Perfect Promise Sprint. She now meets the winner on 2kgs better terms and this swing could be a leveller.
Third of the Candice Bass-Robinson trio, the February debut winner Cousin Liz returns from a 17 week break. Highly regarded, as underscored by her popularity at the top of the bookmakers boards on debut, the R2,9 million daughter of Captain Al cannot be excluded from calculations.
Snaith Racing have a strong hand(photo: Wayne Marks)
After an eyecatching win against the boys on her debut in early December, Chilly Winter has failed to flatter in her subsequent three efforts and will need some improvement to challenge here.
Second of the Snaith duo, the Kingsbarns filly Queen Of Quiet ran on nicely to be beaten 0,30 lengths by Captain’s Darling on debut. There was some betting support that day and over the extra 200m, the Drakenstein owned and bred galloper could come into contention.
Caribbean Sunset was unfancied on her course and distance debut last month, when showing pace and staying on for fourth and three lengths off Dark Crystal.That was a fair run in a large field and with further improvement, she can challenge for the places.
We are leaning towards Mirage to confirm her early sparkle and make it two-from-two. Cousin Liz and Amy Johnson look next best with Drama Queen in the mix.
