Brett Crawford’s Maybe Yes could be peaking at the right time
The top three finishers in last year’s R250 000 Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes clash again in the 2015 renewal at Greyville on Saturday. On recent form there is little to choose between Hammie’s Hooker, Jet Aglow and Maybe Yes. And then there is Mike De Kock’s smart duo of Ataab and the Trippi 3yo, One Fine Day, to consider.
This weight for age race with penalties has been won by some high-class females over the years and Mike Bass’s Hammie’s Hooker is back to defend her title, carrying joint topweight with the Brett Crawford charge, Maybe Yes.
Top Class
Mike Bass trained Hammie’s Hooker won this race last year
A top-class five year old mare, Hammie’s Hooker was just 4,25 lengths behind Majmu in the Gr1 L Jaffee Empress Club Stakes at her last outing.
She has been lightly raced since last year’s win in this race and won her penultimate start at Kenilworth beating the capable Red Flame over 1400m.
The big worry will be Hammie’s Hooker’s wellbeing after her Joburg trip – as some of the Bass horses have appeared to need a run.
That said, she is classy and well drawn and Bernard Fayd’herbe knows her well.
Fiery
Jet Aglow (inside) kicks again to beat Hammie’s Hooker in an earlier clash
Dennis Drier’s Jet Master filly Jet Aglow was beaten 2,25 lengths by Hammie’s Hooker last year but drops a kilo in the weights and may be a different proposition at Greyville.
She showed some pace after a two month break when tiring late for 2,65 lengths behind Carry On Alice in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint.
Maybe Yes finished a quarter length behind Jet Aglow in the Tiibouchina last term but has to carry 1,5kgs more than she did then.
She bounced back at her second KZN Champions Season with a resounding four length win over Banbury on the course and distance three weeks ago.
S’manga Khumalo riders her again.
Interest
Same Jurisdiction – Anton Marcus could swing a change of luck
There will be plenty of interest in the return to home turf of 2yo champion Same Jurisdiction.
The daughter of Mambo In Seattle was ‘disqualified’ after being impeded by the starting gates in the Empress Club Stakes – where she finished in midfield.
She ran a good second to Siren’s Call in the SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein at her last start and returns to the scene of her greatest triumphs.
Neil Bruss’ Red Flame is a decent daughter of Jet Master who finished a 4,30 length fourth in the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes after a break.
On earlier form she looks held by Hammie’s Hooker.
Unknown Quantity
One Fine Day can produce the goods
Another 4yo Jet Master is Stan Ferreira’s Whatalady – a Joburg raider who clocked up four wins on the trot, before finishing a 4,50 length fifth to Majmu in the Empress Club Stakes.
She will be ridden by big-race rider Weichong Marwing and needs to be taken into account as a largely unknown quantity in the coastal territory.
Mike De Kock’s duo of Ataab and One Fine Day ran third and fourth respectively in the KRA Fillies Guineas behind the smart Alexis.
One Fine Day won the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes and could be the stable elect from her good draw.
While she has decent form in general, Ataab would probably need another 200m to be at her peak trip.
Pacesetter
Gavin van Zyl – saddles likely pacesetter Banbury
Gavin Van Zyl’s Banbury has not drawn too well at 12, and is 1,5kgs worse off with Maybe Yes for a four length beating last time. The daughter of Horse Chestnut is a dangerous front runner and will be looking to earn again.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren saddles raider Winter Star, who has lost her form at her last two sprint starts.
She is a lot more effective over the 1400m though.
Tony Rivalland trained Choir Maiden came back to her best with a smooth 1,50 lengths victory over the Scottsville 1200m last time. Her best performances have been over the sprints and she looks to have it all to do.
Another daughter of Choisir is Paul Lafferty’s frustrating Goldie Coast, who ran a fair third behind Jet Belle in the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes at her last start.
She has drawn unfavourably at 11 and has not won in over a year – so cannot be fancied in this strong company.
Close
There will be little to choose between the top four.
Maybe Yes is a narrow first choice, to beat Same Jurisdiction and Jet Aglow – with the De Kock duo offering some resistance.
