On Song. The talented American Pie takes on the boys in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes
With only half the field having raced, and then only three of them winners, the betting may well be the best guide in Saturday’s R150 000 Listed Storm Bird Stakes to be run over 1000m at Turffontein. In the absence of an unraced star, experience could tilt the scales in favour of Leon Erasmus’ very fast Bezrin gelding, Jimmi Choo.
This race is the first of the Gauteng juvenile features, and by its very nature presents a daunting prospect for Pick Six players. With the unraced runners excluded from qualification in terms of the Pick Six rules, it probably makes sense to include the five raced runners, which in any event covers eight of the ten, thanks to the couplings.
Influential
The race is named in honour of the Canadian-bred son of 1964 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt Northern Dancer, who is largely accepted as one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history. At age 2,trained by Vincent O’Brien, Storm Bird won all five starts and was the top-rated juvenile in England and Ireland. His owner sold a 75% interest for $21 million and at age 3, he raced only once, finishing unplaced.
Retired to stand at stud at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, Storm Bird sired 63 stakes winners including 1990 Preakness Stakes winner Summer Squall and Storm Cat, the leading sire of Graded stakes race winners in North America in 2005.
Storm Bird was also the broodmare sire of winners of more than 100 stakes races, including Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch and the lightning fast gelding Commentator.
Fast. Runaway Kimberley debut winner Olympic Owen switches to the turf and is an unknown quantity
Formidable
Sherman Brown and Leon Erasmus have developed into a formidable combination and they team up with the very fast gelding, Jimmi Choo. It is pleasing to see a precocious Bezrin 2yo who can go like the wind and he won first time out seemingly unfancied over the Vaal 1000m.
Showing blistering speed at his very next outing over Saturday’s course and distance, Jimmi Choo was nabbed late by the very horse that he beat on debut. The 3kgs in favour of Tommy Gun obviously made the difference, but Jimmi Choo looks a touch above average.
Singing
The only filly in the race is the exciting daughter of Var, American Pie. The Avontuur Stud bred filly ran third on debut, where she was reported to be lame and then won her second start in good time, against an admittedly ordinary four horse field.
Well bred and likely to improve, she is a jockey strike of note with Piere Strydom jumping into the saddle for Louis Goosen. Her breeder Pippa Mickleburgh observed that she only knows to run against the boys, so could be up to the challenge.
“This is a good family and Louis Goosen is a loyal supporter of Var. The filly is tough and sound and in really good shape. And Striker rides. So we are hopeful!” said Pippa. South Africa’s record earning racehorse of all time, Jay Peg, produced his first winner when Olympic Owen won over the Kimberley 1000m by 10,75 lengths three weeks ago.
It is virtually impossible to draw any conclusions from that first win by Corne Spies’ very fast gelding, and if he carries just a portion of that ability to this surface, then he must be a factor.
Magic Stuff
Sean Tarry’s Australian bred Dubaawi colt Willow Magic was a trifle unlucky to go down narrowly on debut to Duly Ordained , after showing good pace and then running green late. Apprentice Doctor Sifiso Lembethe rides him again, and while he may find this 200m too short, he could well be in the firing line.
The only other raced horse in the field is the Steve Kenny trained Tulbagh Trip, who was backed on debut but had nothing to offer and was beaten 9,50 lengths by Duly Ordained. That brings us to the conclusion that Willow Magic comfortably holds Tulbagh Trip.
The Rebel King and Antonius Pius youngsters have been setting the tracks alight, and Red Bull Kid and Warbash respectively may warrant quartet consideration. In the case of the former, Piere Strydom would probably have taken the ride if he was thought ready to win this on debut.
Not Easy
American Pie looks exciting, but Jimmi Choo is very fast and will be no push over. Olympic Owen brings his Kimberley runaway debut win into the equation, just to cloud the picture! Then Willow Magic could be better than thought and may benefit from the experience of a green first try.
Watch the betting on the first timers!
