The Ridgemont team enjoyed a double at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on a Cape winter’s Wednesday with two daughters of their international stakes-producing five-time Gr1-winning stallion Canford Cliffs producing the goods for the Brett & James Crawford yard.
With Brett Crawford having left on Tuesday for his new challenge in Hong Kong, it was encouraging to see the Philippi yard maintain their momentum with two 3yo fillies bred by the champion Robertson nursery winning under Ridgemont-sponsored champion, Richard Fourie.
Sweet Conifer (Richard Fourie) escapes the maidens with a good win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Canford Cliffs is enjoying a great season and it was no surprise to see his daughter Sweet Corner escape the maiden ranks in the fifth when clocking 88,14 secs to beat Cape Captain by half a length.
“She has had some issues in the past but she relished the winter track and the short run-in. In the end she just did pacework,” commented Fourie.
She is a half-sister to four winners, notably Gr1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, 13-time winner Stone Pine, and the dam of SA Oaks runner up Pomander.
Sweet Conifer’s dam Scent Of Pine, a daughter of a champion sire in Badger Land, is a stakes placed, four-time winning half-sister to the speedy Wild Wolverine. The latter ranks as granddam of exported G1 SA Classic hero Lobo’s Legend and top-class performer Seeking The Stars. A good family!
Strawberry Thief made it two wins from her last three starts when she finished with zest to win the seventh race, a Class 4 1800m.
Strawberry Thief (Richard Fourie) looks to have a bright future! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The gaps opened at the right time and she finished very smartly to beat the year older Lavender Bay by 1,50 lengths , clocking 113,17 secs for the 1800m.
Richard Fourie has ridden some tip-class class fillies over the recent years and labelled the winner a ‘lovely filly who has done nothing wrong’.
“One gets the feeling that there is something interesting underneath you,” quipped Fourie, with a broad smile.
Assistant trainer Barry Donnelly confirmed the positivity and said the winner was ‘something special’.
Strawberry Thief is out of Danehill Dancer mare Crimson Blossom who is directly descended from the influential broodmare Delsy.
