The R3.25-million (R4 million if you win the Cape leg) Triple Tiara is the fillies’ equivalent of the Triple Crown and the three legs mirror the SA Triple Crown – with the alternate first leg being the R1 million Cape Fillies Guineas.
Million Dollar Babe! Cherry On The Top wins the Gr2 SA Oaks – 2013
The Triple Tiara and the three Johannesburg legs of the series are all sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift Stud.
The Mike de Kock trained Galileo flyer Igugu was the first filly to win the Triple Tiara. That was in 2011 and Ormond Ferraris-trained Cherry On The Top emulated that feat in 2013. It has not been won since, with Elusive Fort daughter Siren’s Call failing by a narrow margin in 2015 – when pipped in the final leg by Pine Princess.
Cherry On The Top wins the SA Fillies Classic – 2013
In 2013, Tiger Ridge galloper Cherry On The Top became only the second filly to claim the coveted Wilgerbosdrift Stud Triple Tiara.
Having doddled the first two legs of the Tiara series – the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the SA Fillies Classic – Cherry On The Top was quoted at prohibitive odds of 1-6 to complete the hat-trick.
She proved worthy of every bit of that respect, cruising to a two-length triumph to claim the R1million Tiara bonus for her owner, the late Bridget Oppenheimer.
It was a real family affair with Mrs O – as she’s affectionately known – accepting the bonus cheque from her daughter Mary Slack, owner of sponsor Wilgerbosdrift Stud. Also, Mrs O’s Mauritzfontein Stud bred the winner from her top broodmare Carolina Cherry from a service by Wilgerbosdrift’s stallion Tiger Ridge.
Takingthepeace wins the first leg
While Cape Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance is absent from Saturday’s field, Visionaire filly Takingthepeace won the R500 000 Gauteng Fillies Guineas first leg and bids to follow the stars as she takes her next step to glory.
The third leg is the Gr2 SA Oaks to be run over 2450m on the Turffontein standside track on Saturday 7 May.
