Owner Michael Leaf enjoyed a super Saturday between Turffontein and Kenilworth. His top two finish with two different stables in the R125 000 For The Ladies Stakes would have been particularly pleasing.
Julius Mariba drives Myfunnyvalentine out to beat Drifting Dusk under replacement rider Piere Strydom (Pic – JC Photos)
The Sean Tarry-trained Myfunnyvalentine has always looked an exciting prospect, with two stakes places following her smart debut win at Turffontein in April.
She came out firing on all cylinders on Saturday after a 13 week break following her Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship fourth, and stayed on best to win the Non Black-Type For The Ladies over the 1200m.
Michael Leaf(in white) flanked by his family and Frikkie Greyling in this file pic
It was a cracking start to what could be a profitable 3yo campaign for the athletic daughter of Captain Al.
She beat the gutsy Lucky Houdalakis-trained Dynasty mare Drifting Dusk, under replacement Piere Strydom, also in the Leaf silks by 0,60 lengths in a time of 71.62 secs.
The R700 000 2015 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale graduate was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is a daughter of champion Captain Al out of the four-time winning Goldkeeper mare, Give Me Five – who was a trojan galloper when running out of the same stable.
The winner has now earned R250 625 with 2 wins and 2 places from her 4 starts.
She can only get stronger with improved fitness.
Leaf’s double at Kenilworth on Saturday included the aptly-named Silvano colt, One Direction.
This one won impressively at his second start and was pencilled in as a potential classic prospect by trainer Justin Snaith.
The partnership with Jack Mitchell arose out of the infamous 2014 July objection which saw Legislate awarded the race over the Leaf-owned Wylie Hall. Who says good can’t come from bad?
The second of the Leaf Kenilworth winners was the recent Fairview maiden winner Captain Courteous, who powered home to beat his more fancied stablemate , Le Harve, in the MR 80 Handicap.
Captain Courteous is the colt on which S’manga Khumalo picked up his recent two month suspension.
