With only the Eastern Cape candidates missing, the R750 000 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Scottsville today is a fascinating interprovincial test of strength for our 2yo fairer sex crop.
Ronnie’s Candy – travels from Joburg for her big test
A prestigious and class contest, the sixteen strong field includes the winner and runner-up in the SA Fillies Nursery at Turffontein, Ronnie’s Candy and Ghaalla, as well as the first three past the post in the Strelitzia Stakes in Inverroche, Canukepitsecret and Petra.
Given the marked improvement that the youngsters make from one run to the next, a surprise is always on the cards and exotic bettors are advised to go wider for safety. The Gauteng form will also come under the microscope, with some bumpy results on the formlines.
Raymond Danielson takes the ride again aboard King Of Kings filly Ronnie’s Candy, who shocked when beating Ghaalla in the SA Nursery. That was her maiden win and the form will be under pressure on Saturday.
Celtic Sea – can make amends today
Pretty Polly Stakes winner Celtic Sea was disappointing when beaten over 3 lengths in the SA Nursery. She gets a chance to make amends here and had the excuse of being bumped at the 300m there which would have impacted her chances.
The Ruffian Stakes winner Dagmar was stepped into open company in the Camellia Stakes at her last start but was cramped and faded out to 8 lengths off the winner. She could have the beating of Celtic Sea on her earlier form.
Tobie Spies’ Mazari was well beaten in the SA Nursery and looks a 1000m specialist on her lightning speed. The stable is always a threat in the juvenile features and she could be a quartet hopeful at best.
Mike de Kock’s recordbreaking yearling Ghaalla was well beaten by Ronnie’s Candy in the SA Nursery but was staying on – suggesting she could enjoy the extra here at this more testing track.
Unbeaten stakes winner Inverroche
Unbeaten Strelitzia Stakes winner Inverroche is unbeaten in two starts and looks a top-class filly who will enjoy the step up in trip. She was slow off when winning her last start and faces her biggest test to date.
Vaughan Marshall’s Canukeepitsecret has drawn on the wide outside and impressed in her first start in KZN when hanging out late and beaten only a half length in the Strelitzia. She won her maiden with ease at Durbanville at her second start.
Oratorio’s daughter Petra had no luck in the Strelitzia, when bumped and hampered before finishing third and beaten only a length by Inverroche. She could be a serious challenger with some luck in running.
Beat It won well last time
Jackson’s daughter Beat It was an impressive course and distance winner a fortnight ago and now looks to confirm the high opinion of her connections.
Michael Robert’s polytrack maiden winner Be Happy has been thereabouts without suggesting she could be a Gr1 filly at this stage.
Bernard Fayd’herbe takes the controls on Ormond Ferraris’ smart debut winner Vivir, who gets thrown in the deep end. The daughter of Philanthropist was not fancied on debut and is impossible to assess.
Mark Dixon’s Inverroche looks a smart progressive sort and she is the selection to beat Celtic Sea (another chance!) and the classy Ghaalla.
