Carry On Alice – never runs a bad race
The R750 000 Gr1 Garden Province Stakes represents something of a national fillies and mares mile championship and the 2015 renewal is one of the best we’ve seen in years – despite the absence of the retired champion Beach Beauty. The race is also the final obstacle on the afternoon for Pick 6 punters.
Dreams and hopes of glory in this credential boosting race will make it a hotly contested affair and the major racing provinces are all well represented by the cream of the fairer sex.
Hammie’s Hooker – well drawn and a big runner
Hammie’s Hooker was runner-up behind Beach Beauty last year and her win on 6 June in the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes beating Same Jurisdiction a half length, brings her into the picture.
The 1 draw will aid the cause Bass’ top class Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker who put up a career best performance in last year’s Garden Province Stakes, when getting within 0,75 lengths of the great Beach Beauty, with the rest of a top class field strung out behind them.
It was reported recently that Mike Bass said she had been an easier horse to train this year, as she had matured and was a lot stronger, so she should be able to repeat that run from last year. She has drawn in pole position this year, as opposed to last year’s tough barrier position of nine out of ten.
One of her main dangers, Same Jurisdiction, whom she beat last time out by 0,5 lengths when defending her crown in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville, is drawn wide out in 14.
On the downside Same Jurisdiction carried a Gr 1 penalty of 2kg in the Tibouchina, compared to Hammie’s Hooker’s Gr 2 penalty of 1kg, whereas the Garden Province is a pure weight for age race. Bass believes Hammies’ optimum trip is 1400m.
Inara – worth another chance after disappointing Woolavington run
Her stablemate Inara scoped a bit dirty after her disappointing fifth in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and Bass also believed she was not ‘comfortable’ over the 2000m trip.
She followed up her victory in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m with a win in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m.
She had earlier finished second to the mighty Majmu in one of the best form races of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, so 1600m does look to be her optimum trip. Bass said she was currently fine and would be competitive.
She likely needed her run when staying on strongly for second in the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and should be at her peak now in her third run after a layoff. She has a fine turn of foot and is a big runner from draw seven under Van Niekerk.
Same Jurisdiction – drawn wide but Marcus rides her again
Widely drawn, as we have already noted, Same Jurisdiction has trained on smartly as a 3yo and is a filly with a bright future. Anton Marcus won last Sunday’s feature at Greyville on the widely drawn Bezanova, and he will know what do to get Same Jurisdiction into the firing line.
SA Fillies Sprint winner Carry On Alice reverts to the mile after a successful run over the shorter trips.
Her clash with Same Jursidiction over the course and distance is an interesting one as only a half length separated them in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes as 2yo’s,
It would be safe to say that Carry On Alice is few lengths hotter over the sprints than at a mile, but she is maturing and is a massive runner from a good draw.
Brett Crawford – showing some fine form
Brett Crawford saddles a coupling of Maybe Yes and Alexis.
Maybe Yes ran a decent third in the Tibouchina and comes in with two major plusses in her favour – Piere Strydom in the irons and a 2 draw, make her a definite inclusion for the exotics.
The year younger Alexis has always been highly rated by her connections and won the KRA Fillies in good style when accounting for Inara.
Jet Belle is a classy and versatile mare and will be more comfortable over this trip after being outpaced in the SA Fillies Sprint. She did win the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes for the second year running at her penultimate start, and has plenty of distance Gr1 form to her a runner.
The best of the rest look to be the likes of the poorly drawn Acrostar and Dominic Zaki’s Be Mine Tonight.
