A brave and beautifully judged front-running ride by Richard Fourie stole the show in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday when the Snaith’s Silvano’s Pride ran as straight as a dye to withstand a late threat from favourite Front And Centre.
The rest are unsighted as Silvano’s Pride goes all the way under Richard Fourie (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
In a race where pace never appeared to be an issue, Fourie took the initiative on a fit filly – Silvano’s Pride having had two prep runs into what was surely her season target.
The 2018 Cape Fillies Guineas runner-up has previously been described by her trainer as a filly who only has one speed – usually at full tilt. But trying the 2000m for the first time, she relaxed nicely in front as she showed the way to Chitengo and Return Flight
Into the home straight, Silvano’s Pride galloped powerfully as Front And Centre stormed out of the pack. The Brett Crawford lugged in badly from the outside to the inside – stopping the slightly one-paced Return Flight in her tracks – and in the process costing herself plenty of valuable ground.
On the flipside, Silvano’s Pride went straight and she duly won by 0,30 lengths in a faster time than Hawwaam – 122,30 secs.
Richard Fourie – well played ride from the front (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Having her first run for the De Kock yard, Blossom ran on best of the rest a further 2,25 lengths away with Seville Orange finishing best of the Drakenstein quartet in fourth.
Return Flight (3,85 lengths) and Santa Clara (7,10 lengths) were disappointing.
Bred and raced by Anthony Peter, Silvano’s Pride is bred on the same cross as Hawwaam – being a daughter of champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Mary’s Pride.
She went through the ring at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in 2017 but was wisely bought back for R100 000 by her breeder.
She has won 3 races with 5 places from 9 starts for stakes of R992 375.
SA champion trainer Justin Snaith picked up his second Gr1 winner of the SA Champions Season in the process.
The five-legged Greyville Pick 6 exceeded the projected target of R4 million – getting to R5 041 650 – and paying a healthy R 99 238.50
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Gr1 Woolavington 2000 (SAf-Gr1)
Greyville, South Africa, June 1, R1 million, 2000m, turf, good, 2.02.03
1 – SILVANO’S PRIDE (SAF), 60.0, ch f 3, Silvano (GER) – Mary’s Pride (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF). Owner Mr A C Peter; Breeder AC Peter; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie
2 – Front And Centre (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Dynasty (SAF) – Alignment (IRE) by Alzao (USA)
3 – Blossom (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Silvano (GER) – Cherry On The Top (SAF) by Tiger Ridge (USA)
Margins: 0.30, 2.25, 1.00
