Cold As Ice strolls to victory in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes (Bay Media)
Some high-class fillies have won the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes over the years but few have made such a devastating impact this early in their careers as Joey Ramsden’s flying Cold As Ice. The Avontuur-bred beauty went from gun to tape and simply cruised home in Saturday’s R250 000 Kenilworth feature to stamp herself amongst the best of her year.
The 1200m weight-for-age Sceptre Stakes has been the playground of the sport’s fast four-legged rich and famous for many years and the manner of Cold As Ice’s win in the seven horse field suggested that it will take a really special sort of her own sex to peg her back over the sprints.
Sean Cormack – armchair ride today
Jockey Sean Cormack had indicated in the build-up that he had hoped to settle her and give her a chance to turn it on – but such is her fine cruising speed, she had them all gasping for air at the 400m after showing the way from a sweet jump.
Hanging out from the 300m, but gently squeezed by Cormack at the 200m, Cold As Ice geared up again and drew away for a facile victory at 9-20.
Her winning margin of 2,25 lengths in a time of 70,51 secs left Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Double Whammy chasing in vain, while Lanner Falcon stayed on into third.
Piere Strydom and Priceless Jewel tracked Cold As Ice the whole way but blew up late to run fourth.
Cold As Ice’ superb win was some fine timing for the appearance of her half-sister by Trippi in the Cape Premier Yearling Sale ring this coming Thursday evening.
Live Life (#79) is bound to attract plenty of attention – in fact, she is guaranteed to have the dogs barking and the hands waving.
Cold As Ice herself was purchased on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 for R875 000 and races in a partnership for Brian and Kathy Finch and Wayne and Belinda Kieswetter.
Joey Ramsden – some big guns this term
The smart filly was bred by Avontuur Farm and is by Western Winter out of the lightning fast seven time winning National Assembly mare, Viva.
She has now won two Gr2’s in her five in a row from just six starts – and only was beaten by inexperience and a gutsy Double Whammy on debut.
She took her stakes earnings to R689 875.
We could not confirm reports that trainer William Haggas was at Kenilworth on Saturday to have a look at Cold As Ice and that she will be headed to his yard in the UK after the Majorca Stakes.
Trainer Joey Ramsden has some seriously big guns this season!
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Gr2 Sceptre Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, January 17, R400k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.10.51
1 – COLD AS ICE (SAF), 56.5, b f 3, Western Winter (USA) – Viva (SAF) by National Assembly (CAN). Owner Mesdames K Finch & B Kieswetter, Mr B P Finch & Ridgemont Stud (Nom: Mr Craig Carey); Breeder Avontuur Farm; trainer J Ramsden; jockey S Cormack
2 – Double Whammy (SAF), 56.5, b f 3, Judpot (USA) – Frida (SAF) by Kabool (GB)
3 – Lanner Falcon (SAF), 60.0, ch f 4, Trippi (USA) – Hosta (USA) by French Deputy (USA)
Margins: 2.25, 1.25, 2.25
