The R1 250 000 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is the penultimate leg of Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July day projected R20 million Pick 6.
A top class contest awaits with Princess Calla and Desert Miracle renewing their rivalry in a field of 14 classy fillies.
Here is a preview by Michele Wing’s Racing News team. The video clip is at the base of the story.
Trainer / Jockey Comments (in market order):
- Princess Calla: “She gets the Turffontein mile, so she should be very comfortable with the Hollywoodbets Greyville mile. I can’t have her in much better shape. (Desert Miracle) sets the standard at the moment … she’s a two-time group 1 winner over the mile this season. It’s a battle, but we’re ready for it”, Sean Tarry.
- Desert Miracle: “I think the mile is her best trip. The other filly (Princess Calla) is obviously a super impressive filly and very versatile as well, as she’s a group 1 winner over a mile too, at Turffontein. I think it will be a close contest, but we’ve got to find 3 lengths … quite lot”, Mike de Kock.
- Marina: “She ran 2nd in this race last year, so she is quite capable. A tough race this year, with 2 good fillies she has to beat, but certainly could have a money chance”, Candice Bass-Robinson.
- Feather Boa: “It’s never easy drawn 14, especially over the mile at Greyville. Her last run was a good run. She carried top weight in a pinnacle in Joburg. Mr Pettigrew had her 70 or 80% ready. She just ran out of it the last little bit. She’s an honest filly and always gives of her best”, Gavin Lerena.
- Humdinger: “I think the mile is stretching her a little bit in this company. Her best trip is 7 furlongs”, Mike de Kock.
- Golden Hostess: “Been one of the most consistent fillies I have. The mile is sometimes just a touch on the far side for her. She ran 3rd to these fillies in Cape Town at the end of our season and could be quite capable of finishing in the money here again”, Candice Bass-Robinson.
- Reny: “She’s come on a ton from it (her last run). I think she’s going to be very competitive. She’s got a good draw. Couldn’t be happier with her”, James Crawford.
- Gimme A Shot: “I do think that over the mile she needs everything to go her way, but a Greyville mile does seem to be easier than what a Turffontein standside mile is. I’ve always been of the opinion that the 1400 is probably her best trip, so a mile at Greyville could be right up her alley”, Adam Azzie.
- Going Up: “I think she would probably have some improving to do to feature amongst these fillies”, Candice Bass-Robinson.
- Miss Cool: Effective over the 1400m. She’s raced twice over the mile in her career, finishing 3 lengths back to Lady Of Power in the grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas in February. Racing News.
- Ameena: “I took her down to Hollywoodbets Greyville and she put up a superb gallop (22 June 2023). In herself she’s very, very well”, Glen Kotzen.
- Tipsy Tarragon: “She’s fit and well. Unfortunately we’ve got a shocking draw to contend with and she’s not the easiest ride. We’re more hoping than expecting anything. But anything can happen on the big day”, Tony Peter.
- Emirate Gina: “I give her a competitive chance, but she needs to be at her best to beat that kind of field”, Muzi Yeni.
- Macara: “We’re drawn on the paint. Her work has been excellent. Hoping for a cracker”, Wendy Whitehead.
Enjoy the show:
