A staunch patron of Highveld racing, HSH Princess Charlene celebrated a welcome feature success when her Gimmethegreenlight filly Follow Me went from gun to tape to win the R175 000 Gr3 Fillies Mile at a lightning-interrupted Turffontein racemeeting on Saturday.
Sent out in beautiful trim by Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Stuart Pettigrew, who gave the Monaco Royal her maiden winner as an owner when Bella Rosa won back in March 2020, Follow Me completed a terrific hat-trick for the yard and a double on the day for Princess Charlene after Cheringoma had won the third.
Diego de Gouveia has matters under control as Follow Me lives up to her name (Pic -JC Photos)
Stamping herself a Highveld season classic prospect, Follow Me maintained her consistent form with a well-deserved victory under Diego de Gouveia.
Jumping well, Follow Me (3-1) maintained her momentum all the way to the line to beat the gallant Eternity Ring (9-2) by 1,35 lengths in a time of 99,51 secs.
Sprinkles (7-1) stayed on well, another neck back in third.
Disappointment of the race was Mike de Kock’s Clafoutis (5-2) who was always near the rear and failed to produce a finish of any consequence.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Follow Me is a 38th stakes winner for reigning SA Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Caesour two-time winner, Imperial State.
A winner of 3 races with 3 places from 6 starts for stakes of R234 125 , Follow Me was a R180 000 National Yearling Sale graduate and looks to have a very bright future.
OFFICIAL RESULT:
| TRAINER | JOCKEY | DISTANCE | BETTING | ||||
| 1ST | 2 | FOLLOW ME | S T Pettigrew | D De Gouveia | —– | 3/1 | |
| 2ND | 3 | ETERNITY RING | B/Y Botes / Vosloo | M Yeni | 1,35 | 1,35 | 9/2 |
| 3RD | 5 | SPRINKLES | P A Peter | W Kennedy | 0,10 | 1,45 | 7/1 |
| 4TH | 1 | MARIGOLD HOTEL | S G Tarry | C Habib | 0,05 | 1,50 | 8/1 |
| 5TH | 7 | CLAFOUTIS | M F de Kock | G Lerena | 2,50 | 4,00 | 5/2 |
| TIME OF RACE: 99.51 s | |||||||
| Tote Fav | 7 | CLAFOUTIS | M F de Kock | G Lerena | 4,00 | 5/2 | |
