With the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara safely locked away in a cabinet this season, the fairer sex series has been overshadowed somewhat by the colts’ equivalent. That said, the R1 million Gr2 SA Oaks looks to be a thriller of a race in the making and there will be plenty of interest in finding a likely winner.
Juxtapose – can she do it again?
Stan Ferreira has done an outstanding job with Judpot’s daughter Juxtapose.
She pulled off something of a giantkilling act last time to beat Negroamaro in the SA Fillies Classic.
Chase Maujean rides the Varsfontein-bred filly again and as the highest rated runner in the race and no Negroamaro in sight, she must be the first choice.
Like many of the field, she tries the 2400m trip for the first time and most seem confident of her seeing it out.
Stan also saddles Bondiblu who looks to be an optimistic entry on face value.
Recent birthday boy Kom Naidoo saddles KZN raider Princess Varunya, who ran a decent enough fourth in the Fillies Classic.
The daughter of High Chaparral has not found things easy going in her two runs up North but should enjoy the stamina test – even though her 13 draw is a negative.
Peggy Jay – won well last time
Lucky Houdalakis has been luckier with the draw with the Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap winner, Peggy Jay.
This daughter of Gold Cup winner Colonial Girl, has won three on the trot and is proven over the ground. She has furnished into a lovely young staying prospect and will give cheek despite her task looking slightly difficult on paper.
Mike de Kock’s enigmatic Persian Rug at last gets the kind of ground she looks to be yearning for.
Persian Rug – should enjoy the trip
The daughter of Ideal World finished 4.2 lengths back in the Fillies Classic but pulled up lame on her near fore.
Her previous run in the Gauteng Guineas was full of merit and Anton Marcus could bring out the best in her, even though she has a wide draw to overcome.
Sean Tarry trains Witchcraft who is an interesting runner based on her decent fifth in the SA Fillies Classic. She won her previous start over 2000m in a lower handicap and has actually beaten Peggy Jay earlier.
She has drawn very wide which won’t count in her favour.
The beautifully bred Zafira has impeccable form and was unlucky to find The Centenary in fighting form last time when going down narrowly in the Spook Express.
The daughter of Silvano is another that hasn’t drawn nicely but her gate speed suggests that she can overcome that without too much trouble.
Estimation ran on nicely for third under a length behind Inaninstant in the Listed Oaks Trial and this well-bred filly looks another staying sort in the making.
She is held by Witchcraft on her penultimate run however and could be worth watching into her 4yo season.
Trainer Tyrone Zackey
Tyrone Zackey’s A P’s Lily was beaten 10 lengths in the Listed Oaks Trial and while a winner of three has not quite shown the ability that suggests she could win a race of this nature.
Geoff Woodruff trained Christmas Carol disappointed in the SA Fillies Classic and needs to show more at this level. Much the same applies to Melliflora who has been disappointing after showing good early three year old form.
American Story is a lightly raced daughter of Judpot and was not disgraced when fourth in the Oaks Trial. She ran a fair third in a lower handicap last time and looks a filly capable of improving.
Fortissima has won two on the trot and appears to be improving although facing a very stiff task at these weights. She may be ahead of the Handicapper and can be included for the back end of quartets.
Snowdonia has fair form but is another that fits into the category that has more to do on her rating. She looks eminently suited to this trip on breeding.
