There is plenty to play for at Turffontein today with a R4 million projected Pick 6 pool likely to be the focal point of attention for many players.
One tricky leg looks to be the R750 000 Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas where Mike de Kock bids for a double after Takingthepeace’s good win last term. He saddles a trio of runners, headed by Ipi Tombe Stakes winner Nafaayes in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara opener.
Smart Nafaayes wins the Ipi Tombe Stakes on Summer Cup day
A daughter of Exceed And Excel, the lightly tried Nafaayes caught the eye on Summer Cup day with a good feature win. Prior to that , she showed nice pace when beaten 2,20 lengths into third behind Ronnie’s Candy in the Starling Stakes.
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Now 2kgs better off, Ronnie’s Candy, a winner of the SA Fillies Nursery last season, has proven to be slightly inconsistent but will enjoy the mile test where she can be settled and run at them late. Corne Orffer, who was aboard at her Starling victory takes the reins again.
Ronnie’s Candy – inconsistent but talented
The 2yo stakes winner Celtic Sea showed some flicker of better form at her third start as a 3yo when staying on under 1,50 lengths off Hawwaam in the Tony Ruffel Stakes. She is bound to improve again back in her own sex company.
The Solskjaer filly I Like It almost pulled off a major shock when she took Ghaalla all the way to the wire in the Fillies Mile in November. She showed that she stays well with a good win over The Sash last time over the Turffontein 1800m.
Second of the De Kock trio, Storm Destiny found her winning form when staying on strongly to get up in the Three Troikas las time. She is drawn wide here but will appreciate the extra and looks to have solid scope for improvement.
Paul Matchett’s Running Brave has run some fair races and showed nice resolve when fighting on late to be beaten narrowly beaten by Storm Destiny in the Three Troikas. On best form, she is not far off Ronnie’s Candy.
Dagmar showed pace and ran a fair fifth in the Three Troikas but has lost her smart 2yo form. Note the change of jockey to Denis Schwarz, with Randall Simons stood down.
Chitengo has improved nicely when tried over ground and comes in here on a hat-trick bid. This is a step up in class and she would have to be at best to feature.
The widely drawn Railtrip appears to have lots her promising earlier form.
The Secretariat Stakes winner Cordillera has won two from four and was outpaced when well beaten in the Swallow Stakes. The mile should be more her game.
Secretariat Stakes winner Cordillera
PE visitor Just Chaos was well beaten in the Cape Fillies Guineas in December and now has her first run in Gauteng from a wide draw.
Saints Alive is the third of the Tarry trio. She has a nice draw in her favour but will need to improve on her poor Three Troikas effort when beaten by 12 lengths and finishing last.
Perfect Tigress has drawn very wide and stayed on strongly for third in the Three Troikas Stakes. She could enjoy the extra.
Vistula stayed on well for fourth behind Storm Destiny in the Three Troikas Stakes. She has a wide draw to overcome.
A wide draw is a negative in the case of the smart looking Silvano filly Blossom, who has won two from three and now steps into the feature arena. She is an Ormond Ferraris trained daughter of a past Triple Tiara winner and so has plenty in her favour!
Scent Of Evening has done little wrong in two starts – winning on debut ad then chasing Blossom home at the Vaal last time. She is difficult to assess but must have scope.
Another tricky race with little to choose between Nafaayes and Ronnie’s Candy. Celtic Sea and Storm Destiny look the immediate dangers.
