Too Hot! Tayba is geared down by Julius Mariba as she wins the Sandy Beach Stakes (JC Photos)
Trainer Mike De Kock added yet another string to his Emerald Cup Day bow, when the classy Western Winter filly Tayba led her opposition a merry dance in Saturday’s non black type R125 000 Sandy Beach Stakes run over 1200m on the Vaal sand.
Apprentice Julius Mariba rode a confident race to register his fourth straight winning ride on the smart 4yo, and also a milestone 60th career winner for himself.
Tayba went off a 14 to 10 favourite as the highest rated runner in the event, but had to overcome a few battle hardened big guns in recording her major career win to date.
The quicksilver Tobe’s Lass led Van Loveren and Follow The Piper early, as Princess Alberta and Tayba were relaxed a length off the action.
Julius Mariba gave Tayba her the nod at the 400m marker as Formation loomed menacingly and threatened down the inside rail.
But inside the 200m marker, Tayba was eased down as she went on smartly to remain undefeated on the sand.
She beat Formation by 3,25 lengths in a time of 73,18 secs
Follow The Piper ran her usual game race in third and is surely due for stud one of these days after winning ten races in an impressive career.
The young winning rider Julius Mariba said that his mount had quickened well. He has certainly built up an affinity with her.
Assistant trainer Matthew De Kock said that Tayba had blossomed and grown in confidence and was capable of going on with her progress.
Tayba was bred by her owner Al Adyaat South Africa and is by Western Winter out of the Mr Prospector Alyab.
Tayba has now won 5 race with 4 places from 12 starts.
She took her earnings to R363 600.
There has got to be a small chance that we may see her line up in the Emerald Cup, but there are softer targets on the day for her
