Brothers in arms – Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry
It’s the Tarry and De Kock show at Turffontein today. The two power yards boast nine of the thirteen runners between them in the R1 million Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.
But the Cape raiders Silvan Star and Gimme Six will keep the locals on their toes.
Nother Russia has Legal Eagle at full stretch over the course and distance last time
The gallant chestnut mare Nother Russia ran a superb race earlier this month when pacing it all the way up the long Turffontein straight with champion miler Legal Eagle, before going down a quarter length to the superstar in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes.
If that massive effort hasn’t taken the edge off her, she must be a worthy favourite to land the double in this prestigious contest – and , with all respect, there is no Legal Eagle lurking amongst her twelve opponents.
Glen Kotzen must rate his chances from a 3 draw and with the services of the top-class Richard Fourie, who partners the Silvano mare, Silvan Star. The Ascot Stud-bred galloper enjoyed her first outing here when storming home to beat Gimme Six and Nother Russia over 1450m at the Vaal on 24 March. While she may have been flattered by a less than razor sharp Nother Russia there, the top three all came off runs on Met day.
Silvan Star – won well last time
Gimme Six enjoys the services again of Piere Strydom. The Daisy Fillies Guineas winner ran a smart fifth behind Snowdance in the Majorca prior to showing her wellbeing with that top effort ahead of Nother Russia in her Vaal prep. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has drawn wide, but is likely to be dropped out for a challenge and will be cutting them back late.
Snaith’s Gimme Six – very capable
Orchid Island ran no kind of race behind Legal Eagle last out and has a mountain to climb to beat her stablemate – and on top of that has the widest draw to temper her aspirations further.
The Sean Tarry duo of Tahini and Heaps Of Fun are both solid mares but may lack a few lengths with Nother Russia under these conditions.
Mike de Kock’s Cascapedia returns from a 14 week break following her outstanding London News Stakes win over Triple Crown winner, Abashiri. She is all class but is probably better over further and may need the run.
Cascapedia – may need further
Safe Harbour has her second run since returning from a quiet Cape campaign. At best, she is capable of challenging for the places.
The 2016 Starling Stakes victress She’s A Giver was outgunned in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes last time out and has a wide draw to overcome to challenge here.
Folk Dance ran on steadily in the SA Fillies Classic and was under two lengths off exciting winner, Takingthepeace. She has previously proven effective over Saturday’s course-and-distance but will need more zip in the finish here.
Folk Dance – more zip needed at finish
Fish River gets the blinkers fitted after a quiet trip to KZN when she stayed on without threatening in the Umzimkhulu. Well beaten in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, she has a mountain to climb.
The Acacia Handicap winner Simply Royal runs for Ray Danielson and loves the course-and-distance. She is asked a lot to take on Nother Russia at level weights but has won 4 from 7 starts and is a progressive and smart 4yo.
Jacaranda Handicap score for Al Danza – this is tougher!
Al Danza has hit smart form, winning the Listed Jacaranda Handicap on Classic Day in a thriller. The conditions of this race make today’s test a very different ball-game and she will be hard pressed to find a hat-trick.
Nother Russia is a confident choice to make it a double. The Cape raiders have come a long way and can’t be underestimated – as they have shown already. Simply Royal could be Tarry’s dark horse.
