As already demonstrated in KwaZulu-Natal, twilight racing is clearly quite a hit on a Friday evening, and those that made the trip out to Turffontein were royally entertained to some exciting finishes, with the R225 000 Listed Summer Pudding Handicap a heads-up heads-down thriller between two KZN-bred fillies.
Formerly run as the Syringa Handicap, the Summer Pudding Handicap is named in honour of the outstanding Silvano mare, a past Equus Horse Of The Year and SA Triple Tiara winner, who retired with 11 wins from 13 starts, including four Grade 1 successes.
The scratching of Betula reduced the 2024 renewal of the Summer Pudding Handicap to ten runners and the pace was on from the gate as Sukhumvit led Donna Mo and Key Element.
Craig Zackey gets low on Lady Fallon as Wesley Marwing and the slightly obscured Soldier’s Eye loom dangerously. JP van der Merwe and Andi’s Girl stay on for third (Pic – JC Photos)
The enthusiastic leaders came back to the field at the 400m as Craig Zackey powered up the jets on Lady Fallon, who looked like she was going to come forward and win comfortably.
But it became complicated late and on a drive to the wire, Lady Fallon (5-2, tote favourite) narrowly held her advantage to beat the luckless Soldier’s Eye (40-1) by a head in a time of 99,38 secs for the mile.
It was a terrific effort by Soldier’s Eye who made up good ground and had to be switched in late by Wesley Marwing. That undoubtedly cost her momentum but she picked herself up off the mat and was gaining fast in a tight passage at the rail.
Only three quarters of a length separated the top trio with Andi’s Girl (7-2) back in third.
Cape Lights(16-1) was beaten a further 3,50 lengths back in fourth.
Now a winner of 3 races with 8 places from 13 starts, Lady Fallon took her stakes earnings to R366 750.
Originally purchased for R125 000 at the National Yearling Sale, Dave Shaw purchased her privately and she was having only her fourth run for him – having earned at her previous 3 starts.
“I told Dave (Shawe) that he was buying ‘a problem’ and that he would have to be patient. She’s smart and I am thrilled that she has rewarded him with this stakes victory,” added the thrilled trainer
Bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbred, the winner is by Act Of War (Dynasty) out of the unraced Gimmethegreenlight mare, Chartreuse.
Craig Zackey was in rich form, with 4 winners on the evening, including a double for the high-riding Lucky Houdalakis yard. He looks a serious challenger to Gavin Lerena on the national log – although it’s early days yet.
