Petala (Richard Fourie) runs on strongly to give Captain Al a great feature double (Pic: Bay Media)
Multiple champion 2yo sire Captain Al showed his mettle again at Kenilworth on Sunday with a feature double of note. A half hour after his impressive son Captain Chaos had won the boys’ equivalent, his daughter Petala stormed in to win the R200 000 Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery in dazzling style.
Interestingly Captain Al was to sire the winners of the last three races on the card, as the Snaith’s speedy 2yo Jo’s Bond beat a field of older handicappers in the final event. It was a promising win and an emotional moment for her large group of owners, as she raced in the colours of the late Chris Foulkes, who passed away so suddenly recently.
Just as it happened in the males race earlier, Petala overturned the form of the Perfect Promise Sprint and showed that she is much better than that fourth placed effort, achieved in a false run affair.
With Vaughan Marshall’s Varumba chalked up as favourite after her smart showings in Joburg, Petala cruised below the radar on the betting boards, but came back like a good thing.
Her stablemate Victoria Lavelle and Greg Ennion’s Just Felicity led the way in the field of seven, as Anton Marcus had Varumba settled a few lengths off them.
Petala came on strongly as the leaders faded and she was chased home by Sublime Lady as Varumba sparked for a few stride and then battled to get going in the centre.
Richard Fourie – a good weekend
The 11-1 Petala powered through to give jockey Richard Fourie a Gr1-Gr3 weekend feature double (after Legislate in the Gold Challenge on Saturday) and she beat the improved again Sublime Lady by a half length in a time of 74,42 secs.
The odds-on favourite Varumba patently failed to run to her best ability but stayed on a further length back in third.
Dean Kannemeyer’s recent debut winner Fromafar appeared outpaced by stayed on nicely for fourth. She looks one to watch over a bit further.
The Listed Perfect Promise Sprint top two My Emblem and Just Felicity fell right away to finish at the back of the field.
Assistant trainer Chris Snaith congratulated owners Alec and Gillian Foster, commenting that they ‘breed some serious horses.’
Jockey Richard Fourie said that the ‘Cape Crawl’ had been Petala’s undoing last time out.
“The pace was too slow and she didn’t run on in the Perfect Promise. But today was better – there was more speed. She is a temperamental filly and is her own worst enemy. But she can run,” he said.
Petala is a daughter of Captain Al out of the Tale Of The Cat mare, Nepeta, who won once up to 1450m.
She was bred by Alec Foster, who also races her in his very familiar scarlet and gold silks, carried by some top horses (as Chris Snaith observed) over the years.
Petala has won twice in three starts with one place and took her earnings to R171 875.
All of the placed fillies are worth watching.
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Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, June 7, R200k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.14.42
1 – PETALA (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Nepeta (NZ) by Tale Of The Cat (USA). Owner Mr A N & The Hon Mrs G R Foster; Breeder AN Foster; trainer J Snaith; jockey R Fourie
2 – Sublime Lady (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Sublimity (SAF) by Fort Wood (USA)
3 – Varumba (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Var (USA) – Muamba (ARG) by Pure Prize (USA)
Margins: 0.50, 1.00, 1.25
