In what could prove a shrewd tactical move by SA champion trainer Sean Tarry, promising filly Cloth Of Cloud takes on the boys in the R1 million Gr1 SA Nursery at Turffontein on Saturday. The race is the first leg of a Pick 6 which, with the assistance of a R1,4 million carryover, is expected to hit the R5 million mark.
Cloth Of Cloud and S’manga Khumalo – girl takes on the boys
The Captain Al filly is unbeaten in her only two starts and will present the option of a Pick 6 banker for many exotic bet fans looking to scoop a decent payout – albeit with the obvious additional options of two other anchors in Legal Eagle and Abashiri likely to keep the dividend to suburban levels at best.
Carry On Regardless
It was another Captain Al filly in the champion speedster Carry On Alice who contests the Gr1 Computaform Sprint later on in the day, who showed her trainer that a good girl can wallop a good boy.
This was the route followed by Tarry in 2014 and he hopes to do the same on Saturday.
Cloth Of Cloud, a half-sister to Mike Bass charges Silver Mountain and Helderberg Blue, has won both her starts in really very impressive style, including a heart stopping victory in the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes. She completed the 1100m in 0.66sec faster than Janoobi, who won the Protea Stakes on the same day and who meets her in this ten horse field.
As a filly Cloth Of Cloud gets a 2.5kg sex allowance which could give her a further advantage.
But she has her head issues and we saw that streak when she stopped dead in the Pretty Polly at the line almost unseating Khumalo – and in the progress also coming close to colliding with a placed runner.
She will have been schooled and will be a touch more mature on Saturday – and Bling will know what to expect!
Her male stablemates Flying Myth and Rightful King look like they are no slouches.
The former has his third run and ran a decent third after showing pace in the Gr3 Protea Stakes. The time comparison suggests he cannot beat the filly though.
Rightful King was backed on a course and distance debut when flying home to beat He’s A Var in a course and distance debut victory. Anton Marcus is engaged.
Janoobi, on whom Anton Marcus won the Protea Stakes, will be partnered by Weichong Marwing for the Mike de Kock yard.
The son of Silvano has won two from three and while made heavy going of that last win and probably needs further, he must be respected.
Mike Azzie’s beautifully bred Rivarine was just shaded by Flying Myth last time and looks to be a scopy sort who will get better.
He cannot be left out of the equation for those hoping to get the Tarry filly beaten.
Erasmus Coupling
The Leon Erasmus coupling of Approval Mode and He’s A Var have both won well- but both look held by Janoobi.
Approval Mode won his first two starts on the trot and was slightly outpaced in the Protea Stakes.
He’s A Var finished just behind him.
Chili Con Carne showed appreciation for the 1400m at his second start when running on to an impressive 4,25 length win. He may find this pace a touch too hot to handle but will be running on late.
Joey Soma’s nattily bred Double Appeal beat Querari Viking to win at the fourth time of asking and with top jockey Anthony Delpech taking the ride again (his third on the trot) we can only summise that there is some ability lurking in the shadows.
The course and distance winner faces his biggest test to date.
Pick 6 punters will have a simple choice – banker Cloth Of Cloud or go the field.
If the filly wins by six lengths, it will be so easy after the event. If she comes under pressure early like she did in the Pretty Polly, then it could be sweating stakes.
