De Kock’s Alboran Sea is a good sort
The R400 000 Tony Taberer Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes has attracted a small but high quality field of speed fillies. The race is run at weight-for-age but the calculations are not as simple as they are probably supposed to be. And Mike De Kock is in town.
A choice will have to be made between siding with the seasoned older horses or two promising 3yo’s in Gr1 winning raider Alboran Sea and the promising local, Rosier. The two both run for Mary Slack – so there will be plenty of motivation to deliver.
Champion Material
Mike De Kock’s Alboran Sea was a contender for Equus champion 2yo filly last term after her superb Gr1 Allan Robertson Champion victory.
She then went straight into the Gr1 Golden Slipper on July day and after missing the break, being bumped and racing wide, she was found out by Bilateral who beat her 0,25 lengths. She flopped when going the mile in the Thekwini but impressed at 1 to 3 when making a winning 3yo debut over 1000m at Turffontein. She then disappointed when in the red again and going fourth 2,75 lengths behind Jet Belle in a Pinnacle Stakes three weeks ago. She could be on the button here if she travels well.
Kotzen Ace
Glen Kotzen’s Rosier came back strongly after a break
The Kildonan filly Rosier was 6,50 lengths behind Alboran Sea in the Allan Robertson after winning her first 3 on the trot, including a Gr2.
She was rested after the Thekwini on July day (she didn’t stay) and impressed in her first run as a 3yo last time when stretching Fly By Night to a half length. If she repeats that effort she must have a chance as she enjoys a 3kg pull with Bass’ Jet Master mare.
Night Stalker
Mike Bass-trained Fly By Night is a Gr1 winner and has done little wrong of late
Fly By Night followed up on her terrific Gr1 Mercury Sprint win in July with a winning return in mid November, when beating Rosier as indicated above. While technically under pressure on paper from Priceless Jewel, she will strip fitter and must go close to winning.
Jewel In The Crown
Priceless Jewel returns to action after a 17 week break and this high quality daughter of Ashaawes found something of a niche over the Kenilworth 1200m track late in her 4yo season. While she is top class, the 1000m could catch her out in this company and the race is obviously a prep for her major targets in the months ahead.
Too Sharp
Fly By Night’s stablemate Lanner Falcon looks to be maturing nicely after a jumbled 3yo season where she flattered largely only to deceive.
She finished well to run Double Whammy to a half length in the Diana Stakes and then ran a cracker in the Merchants when only 1,35 lengths in fourth behind stablemate Tevez. That said, she is another who looks like the 1000m could be on the short side.
Hardknocking
The diminutive Savannah Song is holding her form nicely and is 4kgs better off with Fly By Night after being beaten 2,75 lengths by the Bass flyer last time. That said, she is was out at the handicap and will battle to assert herself in this class.
The Which Doctor is a hardknocking speedy Lake Coniston mare, who has found things tough at her last two starts. She ran 14,25 lengths behind Tevez in the Merchants, but was reported not striding out and is worth consideration for the back end of the quartets if she comes out sound.
Form Combo
Richard Fourie rides Varikate
Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith have been in dazzling form and they team up with the Var mare Varikate. While appearing to have plenty to do on the straight handicap, she does meet Fly By Night on 4kgs better terms for a 3,50 length beating last time and has won some good races against decent horses in her lightly exposed track career.
The second of the Snaith runners is Arria, who has failed to deliver on her boom early promise when winning her opening two starts and being spoken of as something special.
She looks to have too much to do here on her recent form.
