While the Legal Eagle return fairytale failed to materialise, the cracking Pathfork filly Madame Speaker showed her true mettle to notch her tenth career victory in the non black-type R80 000 WSB East Cape Poly Challenge 1400 at Fairview on Friday.
With all the attention focussed on the return of the superstar Legal Eagle, who drifted from an opening call of 14-10 to 11-4, and was outpaced before gallantly finishing just over 2 lengths off the winner, Madame Speaker’s performance stood out for pure consistency and class.
While the mob are bearing down, Teaque Gould confidently steers Madame Speaker to a convincing win (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Under a beautifully judged ride by Teaque Gould, Madame Speaker (28-10) took over at the 300m marker from the pacesetting The Highway Man and powered on all the way to the line to stave off the late attention of Hooves Of Troy (9-1) with courage.
At the wire just a half length seperated the top two in a time of 81,64 secs.
While Madame Speaker did not run in the 1200m opening leg, the all-weather challenge first leg winner Bold Coast finished just under four lengths back.
Jockey Teaque Gould said that the winner was a special filly and her form is there for all to see.
She is equally at home on the turf and all-weather and is one of the few East Cape residents who can claim to have beaten the dual SA Horse Of The Year when registering her tenth career victory.
Bred by former Maine Chance Stud Manager Stanley Bennett, Madame Speaker is a daughter of Ridgemont Highlands sire Pathfork (Distorted Humor) – who is based at Sandown Stud.
Her National Assembly dam Word Perfect is a full-sister to the well performed stakes placed Seat Of Power and a half sister to the smart Gr1 performer Beacon Flare (Spectrum).
A 2017 BSA National 2yo Sale graduate, Madame Speaker was bought back for R25 000 and is leased to trainer Alan Greeff. A remarkable story!
She took her earnings to R882 450 at her tenth win twelve places from her twenty-three starts.
