Dancewiththedevil – last season’s champion older Filly
Heading up a very busy six card program in midweek is the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein on Tuesday night. Amongst the original seventeen nominations for the event was last season’s champion older filly Dancewiththedevil and it is no doubt her presence that has seen the declared runners whittle down to just eight, writes Steve Furnish.
St John Gray’s charge completed a very impressive four timer when winning this race last season and just as she did last year she comes into the race on the back of a very easy win in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. She’s already won five top grade races and having a merit rating some twelve points higher than that of the best of her seven rivals here, this daughter of Modus Vivendi should add to her tally.
End Of Season
Also representing the stable of St John Gray is End Of Season. A winner of seven of her previous 26 outings, this daughter of Announce is as honest as they come, and is sure to give of her best. She’s yet to win outside of handicap company though, and worst in at the weights here she cannot be seriously fancied.
Happy Archer
Happy Archer
Rated second highest by the official handicapper is Happy Archer. This daughter of Dubawi has rounded off the last two seasons with a Gr1 success over today’s distance, and if at her very best would be thereabouts here. Since returning from a five month break in December though, Sean Tarry’s charge has clearly been below best.
Hidden Beauty
More of a threat from the stable of Sean Tarry on the day then should be the Victory Moon filly Hidden Beauty. One of just two 3yo’s in the event, Hidden Beauty won the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Nursery when formerly with Paul Matchett and went on to run a very creditable third to the champion filly Princess Victoria in the Gr1 Allan Robertson. She’s come to hand in no uncertain terms since joining Sean this season and in between three very impressive wins on the sand, she’s finished third in the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Hidden Beauty had to switch out for a run 450m from home in the Gauteng Guineas and running on stoutly at the finish was beaten less than half a length. On paper, she has a bit to find if she is to trouble Dancewiththedevil, but she could still improve plenty and on that, she does have upset potential.
Welwitschia
Welwitschia
The highest rated and possibly the biggest threat of globetrotter Mike De Kock’s three runners is Welwitschia. A winner of four of her nine starts to date, this daughter of Oasis Dream ran on strongly when second to Dancewiththedevil in this race last year. On paper she would look to have little chance here as she was beaten four lengths last season and is now 4,5kg worse off at the weights. Behind at weight for age though, Welwitschia does have plenty of scope for further improvement and may finish closer than she did last year.
Amanee
The dark horse from the stable is the 3yo Amanee. This daughter of Pivotal showed real potential as a juvenile last season and wound up a tremendous first campaign with victory in the prestigious Gr1 Thekwini Stakes over today’s distance at Greyville. She will no doubt have needed the run when fifth in a progress event on her return from an eight month layoff in March and she did then show her well being when running on to take fifth in the SA Fillies Classic just over a week ago. Amanee has her third run after the rest here and could still improve considerably.
Europa Point
Making up Mike’s trio is Europa Point. This daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar has been going from strength to strength since winning in handicap company on her seasonal debut and has now won four in a row. She handled the step up in class well when landing the Gr3 Acacia Handicap over today’s course and distance last time out and although she is now moving up another couple of leagues, she could make the frame.
Mina Salaam
Closely matched with End Of Season earlier in her career, the Medaglia D’oro filly Mina Salaam has since won three features in Zimbabwe. It has to be said that she was taking on weaker there though and since her return her only success has come in a conditions plate on sand.
About The Pace
With no confirmed frontrunners amongst the small field of eight, there has to be a serious chance that this prestigious event will develop into a sprint. There are three very important couplings in the race though so hopefully provisions will have been made. Champion mare Dancewiththedevil showed that she is as good as ever when giving some top class boys a galloping lesson over today’s course and distance in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes last week and now thrown in at the weights against her own sex, she cannot really be opposed.
