Bichette is on her own at the finish of the Camellia Stakes (JC Photos)
A dismal effort by the favourite Lazer Star in the R400 000 Gr2 Camellia Stakes put the final nail in the coffin of the Turffontein Saturday Pick 6 with a dividend in excess of R600 000 being declared.
The classy Ferraris runner Lazer Star was well fancied and supported into even money. She looked a standout bet in the field of twelve speedsters, despite returning from a short rest.
Apprentice Wesley Marwing was aboard for the first time for his Mom, who owns the daughter of Toreador. But when the gates opened she was always labouring under pressure and never got a shout in.
There was, however, nothing lacklustre though about the speed shown by KZN raider Pej, who led Lumya and Winter Passion on the outside, with Bichette hugging the inside rail.
At the 400m marker, S’manga Khumalo pressed the launch button and Bichette skated clear to win well.
Bichette had too much speed in the tank and she went away to win by six lengths in a time of 66,26 secs.
Pej stayed on to hold off the low-flying Tzigane for second, with Drifting Dusk a well beaten fourth.
The favourite Lazer Star could do no better than a modest 10,80 lengths behind the winner.
This was a first stakes win for the scopy Bichette, who had run on smartly in the Sycamore Sprint after being slow away. She looks much better than her present rating and surprised even her trainer Sean Tarry.
Bichetter was bred by Lammerskraal Stud and is by the ill-fated Western Winter out of the five time winning Badger Land mare, Bardot. That makes Bichette’s speed quite extraordinary!
She has won 3 races with 2 places from 7 starts with stakes of R419 375.
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Gr2 Camellia Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 25, R400k, 1160m, turf, soft, 1.06.26
1 – BICHETTE (SAF), 54.5, b f 3, Western Winter (USA) – Bardot (SAF) by Badger Land (USA). Owner Mr M L P Rattray; Breeder Lammerskraal Stud; trainer SG Tarry; jockey S Khumalo
2 – Pej (SAF), 56.5, b f 4, Kahal (GB) – Miss Crystal (SAF) by Model Man (SAF)
3 – Tzigane (SAF), 57.5, b m 5, Doowaley (IRE) – Tough Wood (SAF) by Complete Warrior (ANY)
Margins: 6.00, 0.05, 1.20
