Eversolucky could confirm her future classic prospects today (Pic: Drewzim Photogaphy)
The US$9 000 Fillies Classic which will be run at Borrowdale Park today is the first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara. It is open to all three-year-old fillies at level weights, but apprentice allowances can be claimed, writes Sheldene Chant.
To date Picalilly and Eversolucky have more or less hogged the headlines but this race should indicate how they will perform in the remaining Classics.
Eversolucky’s three wins have all been over Sunday’s distance and include the Breeders Fillies Mile and the Tote Free Handicap where she beat Atso’s Scheme, when receiving 8 kgs.
Last time out she ran third behind Mica Point in the Guineas Trial, but the West Man gelding was in receipt of 5,5kgs. Trained by Gokhan Terzi, drawn 4, and ridden by Quinton Riddle, this Ashaawes filly deserves respect. However in the Guineas Trial Tallie Two finished 1,25 lengths ahead of Eversolucky who was 1 kg better off. It remains to be seen whether, on a level playing field, this form can be reversed.
The original likely favourite Tallie Two has been scratched and some will have lingering doubts about her stable companion, 2014 Champion Juvenile Picalilly, who is certainly no slouch but is so far untested around the turn.
By Gharir (IRE) and out of a Rabah (GB) mare, Picalilly should see out the 1600m trip. She has had 9 runs for 4 wins and 4 good seconds and can storm through at the death – as seen in the recent 1100m Hachiman Sprint where she almost denied On This Rock a victory, right on the line. Karl Zechner will ride Picalilly for the first time, she is drawn 5, and her many admirers will be shocked if she is not involved in this finish.
Trainer Corne Spies saddles more than half the feature field
Corne Spies fields five of the ten runners here. On previous form Autumn J, Snow Call and Purple Turtle look held by the runners mentioned above, while the two Tiger Ridge (USA) fillies, Double Ridge and What About Me, will be having their first start in Harare.
What About Me is aptly named as one has to wonder whether she is the dark horse this time. The filly ran 1.25 lengths behind Pine Princess over 1200m at Scottsville in March. Next time out she won over the same distance at Clairwood, and when meeting Pine Princess again, over the Clairwood 1450m, she was 4.15 lengths behind. Pine Princess, trained by Mike de Kock, has won 4 of her 9 starts in good company. Maybe What About Me hasn’t set the world on fire, yet, but I am impressed. Drawn in the Number One starting stall, Francois Naude will be in the saddle.
Print The Pounds – has come into her own over ground (Pic: Drewzim Photography)
Bridget Stidolph, now a registered trainer, has entered Print The Pounds who must also be considered.
This A P Answer filly has come into her own over more ground. She won a 1700m Merit Rated 65 Handicap on December 14, and Wee Doch ‘n Doris and Princess Kate were behind her. Both these horses won their races on January 10 so the form is good. Print The Pounds is drawn 2 and will be partnered once again by Denicious Smith.
In 2014, as Assistant Trainer at Harris Racing, Bridget was closely associated with Casey’s Dance, winner of the Fillies Classic and, subsequently, the Zimbabwe Triple Tiara. By Mullins Bay, Casey’s Dance is owned by the Sunmark Syndicate and was bred at Clifton Stud. Print The Pounds was also bred by Clifton Stud and she runs in the Sunmark Syndicate colours on Sunday.
Finally, it would be foolish to completely discount Terzi’s second runner, Latin Queen, simply because she has been out of sight since July 27 when finishing 5 lengths behind stablemate Eversolucky in the Breeders Fillies Mile.
Earlier that month she shed her maiden certificate in a rather weak 1600m Maiden Plate, but was a close second to Tallie Two over 1100m in April. She is drawn 6 and Apprentice Wesley Marwing (claiming 1,5 kgs) has the ride.
