Brett Crawford has a strong hand in both of the Durbanville features today. The Phillipi-based trainer saddles a particularly decent hand in the R250 000 Gr3 Diana Stakes, where the smart Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes winner Alexis makes her term debut.
Alexis – classy and Orffer rides
The Dynasty mare Alexis runs after a 14 week break following a decent sixth placed finish behind the class multiple Gr1 winning Inara in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on July day and with stable jockey Corne Orffer opting to ride her ahead of Beach Goddess, she must be the stable elect.
As a matter of interest, the Diana Stakes is open to fillies and mares at weight for age plus penalties. 5 year olds and older carry 57kgs and in addition further penalties accrue with 3kgs for a Gr1 win, 2kgs for a Gr2 and a kilo for a Gr3.
First
Alexis has her first start at Durbanville after a top career where she has won 6 of her 18 starts.
She beat the Cape Fillies Guineas star Silver Mountain in the Tibouchina and her 2,35 lengths behind the top quality Inara in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes was an encouraging effort.
While Durbanville may not suit her racing style, she ranks as a serious runner.
Champagne Stakes winner Beach Goddess has a decent turn of foot
Her very lightly raced stablemate Beach Goddess is fit and has maintained a consistent and solid formline.
Her course and distance second last time to Snaith’s A Time To Dream indicates that she could be held with a 4,5kg swing. But if Beach Goddess is ridden a bit closer to the action, her smart turn of foot could be the deal clincher.
Dream On
A Time To Dream is just one of three Snaith runners.
Richard Fourie rides the Dynasty filly Qing, who may have well needed the run when finishing 2,45 lengths behind A Time To Dream last time.
Her earlier form was good and she has the course and distance experience to back her claims.
Seven Up
Andrew Fortune rides the wide drawn Secret Seven, the third of the Snaith trio.
Another Dynasty, she was 5,15 lengths behind Inara in the Garden Province Stakes but had excellent earlier form.
Captain’s Flame is lightly raced and has done little wrong
Captain’s Flame has eyecatching form with 4 wins from 6 starts, including successive successes in the Listed Stormsvlei and the Sweet Chestnut Stakes.
The daughter of Captain Al has not run for 20 weeks but the Plattner Racing operation has world-class training tracks, capable of getting them close to race fit. A galloping sort, she should handle the Durbanville circuit and looks a massive runner.
The big Royal Air Force mare Petty Officer never runs a bad race and came within a heartbeat of nailing Quine in an MR 89 Fillies and Mares Handicap last time out.
While drawn 13, she could have a place squeak if allowed to bowl and dictate.
Bass Five
Candice Bass-Robinson throws the kitchen sink at the Diana Stakes with a quintet of runners.
Grant Van Niekerk – rides Miss Marker
Stable jockey Grant van Niekerk rides the Var filly Miss Marker who looks in at the deep end, despite her decent run behind the top boys last time out.
A course and distance winner, she will have fitness on her side.
Come Fly With Me has not won in ages but ran Beach Goddess to a head at her penultimate start and is now a kilo better off.
Moonlight ‘N Roses looks a touch out of her depth here but is well drawn and her last run a fortnight back will have brought her on.
Held
Sublime Lady easily holds Petty Officer on her penultimate start and if not needing the outing after an 11 week rest could come into the play from her nice draw.
Taffety Tart failed to deliver on her recent SA Champions Season campaign and appeared a touch one-paced in her return run on 17 September. She was beaten 2,15 lengths by A Time To Dream in receipt of 9kgs and has no chance at these weights with Snaith’s filly.
Mike Robinson’s Goodtime Gal has pulled the best of the draw and won well last time despite casting a shoe in running.
She was runner-up to Captain’s Flame in her two listed feature wins and will strip race fit and ready for a good spat. We may not have seen the best of her yet and could surprise with a shrewd ride.
Class
It looks a straight match between Crawford and Snaith.
On fitness, Beach Goddess looks ready to be cutting down Captain’s Flame and Goodtime Gal late in the race. Alexis is all class and could prove the party spoiler.
