A lack of size doesn’t count for much when it is offset with oodles of class and serious athletic ability. The Mike Bass team may just have given us a peek of the forthcoming Cape Fillies Guineas winner when their Silvano flyer Silver Mountain pulverised Gr1 visitor Entisaar to grab the honours in the R400 000 Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Aldo Domeyer and Silver Mountain maintained their winning streak in the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship (Pic: Wayne Marks)
The Highlands-bred Silver Mountain is only 15,2 hh, but she stepped into the classic and Million Dollar limelight in serious style when overcoming the odds – and dare we call it, the myth – that suggests wide draws are a stay-at-homer over the Kenilworth 1400m winter track.
But allowed to track across from the 16 gate, after drama in the stall alongside her, Silver Mountain relaxed like a pro and loped along.
After turning for home some ten lengths off pacesetter Victoria Lavelle, she weaved her way through her quality opposition to win full of running by 1,50 lengths in a time of 86,32 secs.
The De Kock Gr1 winning raider Entisaar, endorsed the merit of Silver Mountain’s performance. Entisaar was not disgraced after a 24 week break at her first Cape start, staying on for second, ahead of the winner’s stablemate Taffety Tart – a recent modest maiden winner, who flew from some way back.
Neil Bruss’ Listed Devon Air Stakes winner ran a cracker from a 12 draw to finish a 2,85 length fourth.
Aldo Domeyer – winning partnership with Silver Mountain
The disappointment of the race was the fancied Princess Royal, who showed signs of ring rustiness after an 18 week break. She turned for home with every chance, but Silver Mountain (in the same silks) ghosted past her like she was standing still and beat her just under five lengths.
The Justin Snaith-trained Star Express was declared a non-runner after a problem at the start saw her completing the race ahead of the pack – but without jockey Craig Du Plooy.
Jockey Aldo Domeyer, who retained the ride on the winner after ‘some in-house bickering’, rode a peach of a race and was very complimentary of his mount and the Bass team effort.
“Well done to the unsung heroes – Mel Arnold, Belinda Haytread and Trevor Taylor. It is a privilege to ride a filly like this. She did it all. She was relaxed and has a great temperament. In the run for home it was unbelievable how she took the bit. Those good horses seemed to be standing still around me,” he said with an elation that goes with standing in the feature winner’s enclosure.
Candice Robinson
An emotional assistant trainer Candice Robinson said that her Dad, who has been very ill, was watching on television at home with longstanding patron and friend Marsh Shirtliff – who was the underbidder on Silver Mountain!
“The draw was a huge concern. But this filly has impressed us from day one. She has a great action and does everything right. And Aldo rode a fantastic race.”
Justin Vermaak who was representing owners Maine Chance Farms, who had two runners, said that he was pleased.
“We paid a lot for her – but she can run like the wind and has a wonderful temperament. There are some big races ahead,” he said, in an obvious reference to the Fillies Guineas and the CTS Million Dollar race in January.
Vermaak added that he felt that Silver Mountain would be effective up to 2000m.
A daughter of Silvano, Silver Mountain is out of the six-time winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare, Our Table Mountain, the winner of the 2007 Listed Olympic Duel Stakes and a half-sister to the consistent sire Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}).
Our Table Mountain – in her racing days
The progeny of Our Table Mountain have attracted plenty of interest in the sales ring – and on the training tracks, where they have shown temperament issues.
Silver Mountain went for R1,3 million at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1, and is a model student compared to her siblings.
Bass finds himself back at the well – despite the fact that he might feel slightly disappointed with Our Table Mountain’s 2012 Cape Premier Yearling Sale R2.8 million son Helderberg Blue (Jet Master) .
In 2013 Our Table Mountain again caught the public attention at the same sale when the R3 million Our Icon (Dynasty) was knocked down to Dean Kannemeyer.
Silver Mountain has chalked up her first black type credit – there looks to be plenty to come. She has now won 3 races with 1 place from 4 starts. She took her gross stakes to R365 500.
She looks a red hot Summer Of Champions prospect.
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Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, November 7, R400k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.26.32
1 – SILVER MOUNTAIN (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Silvano (GER) – Our Table Mountain (USA) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA). Owner Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Dr W A & Mrs N Jacobs); Breeder Highlands; trainer MW Bass; jockey A Domeyer
2 – Entisaar (AUS), 60.0, b f 3, More Than Ready (USA) – Purrpurrlena (AUS) by Catbird (AUS)
3 – Taffety Tart (SAF), 60.0, b f 3, Trippi (USA) – Rock Candy (ARG) by Candy Stripes (USA)
Margins: 1.50, 1.25, 0.10
