SA Triple Tiara star War Of Athena will not be lining up in the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday. But plans are well advanced to fly her in for the WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met on 29 January.
In a chat with the Sporting Post on Sunday morning, part-owner Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel explained that frantic behind-the-scenes activity with regard to interprovincial flight travel logistics had been underway for some weeks already, after the champion 4yo had wound up her prep with a facile victory at Turffontein on 18 December.
War Of Athena – high flyer set to jet in for Met showdown (Pic – JC Photos)
“We had hoped to get Athena to Cape Town by air so that she could contest the Paddock Stakes and the Met. We do understand that currently interprovincial travel between Gauteng and the Cape is a stressful road trip exercise, and it would really be great for South African racing if all of our horses could move easily. While we are still sorting issues out with the Met flight, we are positive and hopeful of getting our chance to take on the big boys in the fairest Cape on 29 January. We thought it only fair to let the betting public know that the Paddock Stakes is now out of the equation. It also gives our jockey Muzi Yeni a fair notice and a chance at securing another ride for the prestigious fairer sex Gr1,” explained Dr Waterman-Wentzel.
The passionate owner said that trainer Paul Matchett was replanning the trip and that the idea now was to include a few of their other horses on the trip.
Once the first flight is completed, she explains that they want to show it can work.
And with more support, costs will naturally drop and that it is hoped that flying will again become a viable option for other owners keen to see the best compete against the best.
“We have to start somewhere and try and open it up to all. We are really very excited about the prospect of racing in the Met. Athena is fighting fit and has finally lost all of her ‘holiday pudding’! So now it’s all systems go for the big race – albeit, in nerve wracking times,” she laughed.
The final fields for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival will be declared on Monday at 11h00.
- Final supplementary entries for the R2 million WSB Cape Town Met close at 11h00 on Monday 10 January, when weights will be published.
- Declarations for the Met are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 19 January.
- Barrier Draws will be done electronically by the NRB on the same day.
