The R400 000 Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge looks set to provide Pick 6 punters with a cheap penultimate leg. It looks a straight two horse shootout between Alec Laird’s Smart Call and the Sean Tarry-trained Bichette. Other than Trophy Wife, there is not too much to get excited about amongst the balance.
Smart Call – strips fitter and looks the top choice
The mile trip makes this an interesting contest for the two top contenders, with it probably being on the sharp side for Smart Call, while Bichette needs to show she gets the 1600m.
A logical thinker may deduce that opens a door for the perennial bridesmaid Trophy Wife. But Bichette’s stablemate’s lack of race action over the past 26 weeks make things tough for her.
Topweight Smart Call is a top filly and has been in the racing spotlight since cracking the distinction of becoming her sire’s first ever Gr1 winner last season.
Highly rated by her trainer Alec Laird, she has a Gr1 target in the Cape summer two months down the line and started her prep under the Turffontein lights earlier this month.
Backed purely on sentiment, she never really got into the action over the 1400m, despite running fresh, and eventually just stayed on to run 3,25 lengths behind Bichette.
Smart Call is a 9,25 length Turffontein mile inside track winner and after winning the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, she was run out of it by Same Jurisdiction in the Garden Province Stakes, run over a mile at Greyville.
This track looks likely to suit her better and her trainer will be looking for a big run if her Cape plans are to stay on track.
Bichette – paralyses her Gr2 Camellia Stakes field
The impressive Bichette won the Gr2 Camellia Stakes in good style and won the Pinnacle Stakes in inspiring style last time. She is obviously getting better with racing and tries the mile again. She has only been the trip once – that in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, where she failed to show.
She is a different proposition this term though and on breeding she should get the trip comfortably.
Her dam is by Badger Land and was a strong racemare who won up to 2000m.
We mentioned earlier that Trophy Wife has had a long rest.
The daughter of Tiger Ridge may only be a two-time winner but bumped her illustrious stablemate Siren’s Call more times last term than she would choose to remember .
If not too much in need of the outing, she will be staying on in her trademark tough girl style.
Mike De Kock – saddles Love To Sail
The Mike De Kock-trained Love To Sail ran a fair 4 length fourth to Lazer Star in the Gr2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, but then faded in the Yellowwood Handicap at her next start.
She may have found the 1800m too far there and from a 1 draw over the mile, could challenge for the places.
Devin Little’s Featherfoot finished 0,75 lengths ahead of Smart Call in the Pinnacle prep and was a shade behind Love To Sail in the Joburg Spring F&M Challenge.
Tyrone Zackey’s Pennington Sands ran on well when grabbing a fourth cheque in the Yellowwood Handicap.
The daughter of Mogok is effective over the course and distance and is always a danger.
Wallace Tolmay’s Stronghold mare Celtic Legend returns from an extended stint of sand racing and is back on the turf. Her earlier form is competitive, but there is little to suggest that she can take on the likes of Gr1 winner Smart Call on these weight terms.
Paul Peter’s London is a game daughter of Rebel King, but she has plenty to do to beat the top two.
Smart Call looks set to get back to winning ways and she is expected to turn the tables on Bichette. Love To Sail and Trophy Wife could make up the quartet.
