Bernard Fayd’herbe gave the Rising Sun major raceday action a miss on Saturday. The Cape heavyweight didn’t regret the decision to stay in the chilly Cape – bagging five of the eight races at Kenilworth, including a feature double.
Easy to back at 3-1 after a facile debut victory in February, the pricy but smashing looking Captain Al filly Cousin Liz came with a storming late run to give Candice Bass-Robinson a double on the afternoon.
Cousin Liz draws clear under Bernard Fayd’herbe (Pic -Chase Liebenberg Photography)
After the 22-10 Mirage had stormed into the lead at the 200m and looked a winner, Fayd’herbe produced the Riverton Stud-bred filly with a powerful late effort to secure the honours by a length in a time of 74,8 secs.
Mirage stayed on well ahead of Driving Miss Daisy, who shaded Drama Queen out of the third cheque.
It was another memorable feature for the champion Captain Al, who sired the exacta.
His lovely grey daughter Amy Johnson, who moved up menacingly at the 300m, appeared to lose her rhythm and ran out of the money. The beautifully bred filly has the blood for further and she is bound to bounce back next term.
A R2,9 million National Yearling Sale purchase by Mario Ferreira from Riverton Stud, Cousin Liz is out of the Parade Leader mare Fiesta Queen, who won only once over 1200m.
Power pair – Bernard Fayd’herbe and Candice Bass-Robinson enjoy the moment (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Duncan Barry of Riverton Stud, who shouted another Riverton graduate in the 3yo Cirillo home behind Do It Again in the Gr1 Gold Challenge earlier, said that the winner’s dam was in foal to Captain Of All – who had his first stakes winner on Saturday – and the plan was to send her to William Longsword next season.
He added that Cheryl Gabler, who races the stakes winning stayer Gimme One Night (the Gimmethegreenlight older half-brother who was runner-up in the Lonsdale last weekend behind Liege), had purchased Cousin Liz’s yearling half-brother by Elusive Fort off the Cape Premier Yearling Sale for a very reasonable R150 000.
Unbeaten in two starts with earnings of R175 000, Cousin Liz appears really smart – especially since she has everything in all the right places and looks likely to go over ground.
Stipes report excerpt:
THE STARTER REPORTED:
- DRAMA QUEEN (G Cheyne) had to be resaddled at the start.
- AMY JOHNSON (R Khathi), which was reluctant to load, was slow into stride.
- QUEEN OF QUIET (L Mxothwa) was restless in the stalls.
- CARIBBERAN SUNSET (G Behr) was slow into stride.
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: (CvA)
- a) Shortly after the start the bit pulled through DRIVING MISS DAISY’s mouth (S Khumalo), which resulted in the filly racing awkwardly, was difficult to assist, and was hanging out.
- b) DRAMA QUEEN (G Cheyne) was carried in sharply by AMY JOHNSON (R Khathi), which shifted in to obtain cover at about the 1100 m. Jockey R Khathi appeared before the Board and he was advised to be more aware of other runners before shifting ground in future.
- c) DRAMA QUEEN (G Cheyne) had to switch in to continue his run when MIRAGE (M J Byleveld) rolled out slightly approaching the 100m.
- d) COUSIN LIZ (B Fayd’Herbe), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer Mrs C Bass-Robinson was advised. (BM)
- e) MIRAGE (M J Byleveld), the second placed horse, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer Miss A Alsop, acting on behalf of Trainer V H Marshall, was advised. (NS)
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Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery (SAf-Gr3)
Kenilworth, South Africa, June 8, R200k, 1200m, turf, soft, 1.14.08
1 – COUSIN LIZ (SAF), 60.0, f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Fiesta Queen (SAF) by Parade Leader (USA). Owner Mr M J A Ferreira; Breeder Riverton Stud; trainer C Bass-Robinson; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Mirage (SAF), 60.0, gr f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Sea Glitter (USA) by Holy Bull (USA)
3 – Driving Miss Daisy (SAF), 60.0, b f 2, Master Of My Fate (SAF) – Shedrivesmecrazy (SAF) by Tiger Ridge (USA)
Margins: 1.00, 1.00, 0.20
