After a rare blank sheet on the SplashOut Cape Derby day 24 hours earlier, top jockey Richard Fourie quickly found the winner’s enclosure at Turffontein on Sunday when Sean Tarry’s clearly talented Vercingetorix filly Mrs Geriatrix maintained her impeccable record to win the R150 000 Listed Ruffian Stakes.
Raced by ten ‘magical ladies’, the plain but athletic chestnut built on her winning debut when getting the better of the dangerous looking Ripple Effect to register her maiden stakes win under the hands.
Richard Fourie steers Mrs Geriatrix to victory as Ryan Munger and Ripple Effect keep the winner honest (Pic – JC Photos)
When Ripple Effect (13-2) moved up under a motionless Ryan Munger at the 250m, Mrs Geriatrix (28-10) looked to have some work to do, but after straightening by the cucumber-cool Fourie, she went on easily to score by a three quarter length in a time of 56,02 secs.
Ripple Effect will win her races and was not disgraced in second.
Sean Tarry labelled his charge precocious and professional.
“Being a Vercingetorix I expected her to go for a little bit. But she came up early at the sale and wasn’t sold – I asked what they wanted and got her for R200 000. It’s nice to be able to pick my own horses at nationals,” added Tarry.
An impressed Richard Fourie said that if the Magical Lady Syndicate’s sweetheart ‘grows a hand’, she could be a very decent filly.
Watch the replay here:
A 2022 National Yearling Sale graduate the Clifton-bred Mrs Geriatrix is out of the Kahal mare Velvet Glove.
She is a ringer for her relatives with a strong likeness to her dam’s star siblings, Prince Of Kahal and Fort Vogue. This is the smart family of Clifton bred Whatalady, and hails back to champions Highland Night, sire Warm White Night, Tristful, Night Watch and Prince Asad.
A winner of 2 from 2, Mrs Geriatrix took her stakes earnings to R150 000.
