Jet Supreme looks the class act for Sunday’s feature
The R250 000 Gr3 Final Fling Stakes to be run at Kenilworth today after being washed out twice is one of the traditional farewell features for those lady racers embarking on the next phase of their careers into the breeding paddocks and impending motherhood. The race also boasts a welcome substantially healthier stake this year, which sees an almost one hundred percent hike from the 2012 renewal.
A jump from the humble R138 000 in 2012 to the far more respectable R250 000 this year is not an adjustment to be snuffed at.
And don’t start thinking that horseracing’s fathers have gone all soft and generous suddenly.
Happy Days
Phumelela have, however, been forthcoming in applying the minimum stakes levels for graded races nationally.
In the bad old days of 2012, Gold Circle reduced stakes across the board but when Phumelela took over managing the Western Cape, they reinstated the stake of this race back to the R150 000 level in 2013.
Phumelela Racing Executive Patrick Davis confirmed as follows:
“In 2014, as part of the stakes increases in the Western Cape we increased all the feature races to bring them in line with the recommended increased minimum stakes levels for Graded races nationally. The new minimum level for Grade 3 races being R250 000. We also lifted those Grade 1 races in the Cape that weren’t at R1 million to that level from 2014.”
Now where are the sponsors?
Snaith Style
Richard Fourie – choice of the Snaith rides
With some generous cash (and black-type!) to race for, this year’s renewal sees a competitive mixed bunch of thirteen lining up with Justin Snaith holding a very strong hand with a trio of runners, who all emerge in the top four of our race ratings.
The weight for age terms of the race suggest that the handicapper could be our best guide and here the Snaith pair of Jet Supreme and the year younger Acrostar top the official ratings.
Sean Cormack replaces Richard Fourie on the 2013 Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes winner who has battled to recapture the spark of her 3yo season but ran on well for third behind Butterfly Girl in the Ladies Mile recently.
She has just returned from a rather dull Champions Season where her best effort was a fourth behind Durban July close up Jet Belle in the Poinsettia Stakes.
She has never won over this trip but she should handle it after her strong finishing mile effort last time.
Down Under
Acrostar has turned the corner since winning the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes in early May. The omen may be there after another Australian bred in Rain Gal won the race last year.
Acrostar’s storming late effort when beaten 1,25 lengths by Irish Myth in the Winter Oaks run over 2200m was a good showing after a slow start. Karl Neisius is in the saddles and she looks to be ideally distance suited.
Her fellow 3yo She’s A Pippa confounded the sceptics when she rallied strongly to win the Listed East Cape Oaks at the end of April.
While her dam won to 2000m, even her winning rider Richard Fourie seemed puzzled that she stayed the 2000m on the polytrack and it is perhaps more a measure of her heart and courage that the chestnut does manage that.
A winner of 4 of her 9 starts, She’s A Pippa is obviously maturing and should not be underestimated.
If not lacking match fitness after a 12 week break, must come into the reckoning as a serious candidate.
Mike Bass’ Butterfly Girl appears to be improving nicely
Bass’ High
Mike Bass will still be on a high following last month’s terrific Gr1 win with Fly By Night and he goes in here with a Jet Master trio headed (based on jockey engagement) by the recent Ladies Mile winner, Butterfly Girl.
She appears to have matured after battling through the Cape summer and she has won her last two on the trot.
She showed great resolve when getting the better of the Trojan Priceless Jewel last time out and now has her first ever try beyond a mile.
High Flyer
The grey Pan Amm is the oldest of the three and while very talented, is a touch inconsistent at times.
She beat Initimateconnection with ease at her penultimate start in a handcap, but then flopped in the Ladies Mile.
She is 8kgs better off with Butterfly Girl on that run though and with her favourite jockey, Chris Puller, in the saddle, she could pull a race like this off.
She has never won at 1800m though.
Internet Jet is the third of the Bass runners and while currently in form, appears to lack the class of some of the others.
She is another filly that has taken some time to find her feet.
Justin Snaith-holds a strong hand
Power Trio
Like so often this past season, Justin Snaith holds the upper hand and we would not be half surprised to see the stable celebrate with a trifecta.
Acrostar is fit and well and this may give her the upper hand over the rested but very capable She’s A Pippa.
Jet Supreme is a proven Gr3 winner and has a stamp of class. She ran on well last time in the Ladies Mile and will enjoy expert guidance from Karl Neisius.
For those ladies who will be celebrating their swansong – good luck and thanks for all the memories and the thrills.
