Majmu seen winning the Cape Fillies Guineas – the stable are happy with her
Trainer Mike De Kock has been widely reported to have labelled Majmu the best filly he has ever trained. When viewed against the backdrop of the glorious achievements of the ilk of Igugu and Ipi Tombe, then we have to chalk her up as the automatic choice to win Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes.
The multiple champion trainer doesn’t talk horses up. He doesn’t need to.
But he rates the grey daughter of Redoute’s Choice and she was considered too valuable a treasure to risk when she was placed on ice during the first two legs of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara – despite having won the alternate first leg, the Gr1 Avontuur Cape Fillies Guineas.
The Australian import has actually not raced since winning that Cape classic at Kenilworth in December.
She also missed the Met, when there was speculation and talk that she would be weighted as a ‘certainty.’
Pie In The Sky
‘Mike De Kock
That is all pie in the sky though and she now returns to action on Saturday after an eighteen week break.
There is little point in dissecting the Majmu form. She has only been beaten once in six starts and that was in the Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, where a combination of traffic and jockeyship saw her dethroned.
Her victory in the Cape Fillies Guineas was breathtaking. She beat a filly called Inara – who subsequently went on to win both the Gr1 Paddock Stakes and the Gr1 Majorca Stakes in style. So let’s say the form is strong!
Matthew De Kock said:
“We didn’t feel she was close enough to full fitness to give of her best in the Triple Tiara. When we don’t believe she can, we don’t run her because it’s not easy to push the boundaries and deliver a peak performance every time. She is doing nicely now – the two weeks have done her good – and although she is not quite at a peak yet, she is fit enough. I’m very happy with her.”
Hot Seat
Piere Strydom finds himself in a hot seat again. He gets the riding honours on board Majmu’s major opponent Same Jurisdiction, who will be more comfortable over the mile.
Same Jurisdiction – Strydom up and distance suits
Strydom went on record recently suggesting that it was only the soft going that denied the KZN raider in the Gauteng Guineas.
Sean Tarry has three runners entered, with perennial bridesmaid Trophy Wife the pick.
Raymond Danielson rides the daughter of Tiger Ridge who is only ever a length or two short.
Smart Call and Banbury both disappointed in the SA Fillies Classic and will need to up their game to challenge the likes of Majmu and Same Jurisdiction over shorter.
Older Generation
Hammie’s Hooker is top-class and will be right there if adapting
Of the older horses, Mike Bass’ Hammie’s Hooker is set to have her first start on the Highveld and the long Turffontein run-in will suit her – although she has drawn at 10 and has not run since winning the Gr3 Prix Du Cap in mid February.
She is a high class older mare and as a career triple Gr1 runner-up, she won’t go down quietly.
It is interesting to note that Anton Marcus stays with Geoff Woodruff’s Not Sulking – even though contractual obligations may have given him little choice.
She ran a terrible race in the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint last weekend and the Woodruff yard is not on song at this stage of the game.
Her former stablemate Arcetri Pink has her first start for the Kom Naidoo yard and if the going stays soft, as it has been for the last few Gauteng meetings, this Australian-bred filly must be a major runner.
It is worth noting that she won last year’s Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Guineas over this course and distance in heavy going and was runner up to Along Came Polly in this race in 2014.
Unbeaten
Winter Star has shown excellent ability in mixed company
Whatalady was an impressive winner of the Acacia Handicap over this course and distance on Guineas Day. It is worth noting that the Stanley Ferreira-trained filly is unbeaten over 1600m at this course.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Winter Star ran a cracking fourth against the males in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes when just 2,50 lengths behind Chekilli. She has not drawn too smartly at 11 but her racing style allows her to overcome this negative.
She always runs on late and is a definite quartet inclusion.
The Choice
Majmu gets the vote. The Strydom genius can never be underestimated and Same Jurisdiction will be in the vicinity. Trophy Wife is the quartet roving banker for those looking for a telephone number payout and a bomb result.
It looks unlikely.
