The old firm of Sean Tarry and recently returned from injury S’manga Khumalo got the 2018 Classic Day feature programme under way when the Captain Al filly Celtic Sea took advantage of her pull at the weights to win the R200 000 Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes.
S’manga Khumalo has Celtic Sea in control as Muzi Yeni chases on Dagmar (Pic – JC Photos)
Celtic Sea, who had finished a smart second on debut to the highly vaunted Mike de Kock galloper Ghaalla, enjoyed a 3kgs allowance at the weights from winners, which included Ruffian Stakes star Dagmar, and she made it count.
Settled early as Miss Boomerang led Dagmar and Coyote Girl, Khumalo produced the even money shot Celtic Sea at the 350m with a sustained effort and she drew away to hold Dagmar to 2,50 lengths in a time for the 1100m straight of 63,85 secs.
Oratorio filly Cloud Break moved through from the rear and grabbed third, with the winner’s stablemate Urban Oasis running fourth.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Celtic Sea is a daughter of the late great Captain Al (Al Mufti) of the two-time winner Ireland (Mark Of Esteem). The winner is a half sister to Alec Laird-trained Cashel Palace (Fort Wood) who lines up in the SA Fillies Classic later in the day.
Sean Tarry – exciting start
A R325 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Celtic Sea made it one win and one place from her two starts for stakes of R147 000. She also banked the R87 500 BSA Added Value Stakes Bonus.
An SA Champion Sire in 2014, Captain Al registered eight consecutive 2yo sires titles and is one of the most prolific producers of 2yo stakes winners ever to stand at stud in this country.
He has 26 lots on the CTS April Yearling Sale and there are a further 17 to choose from on the BSA National Yearling Sale.
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Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 7, R200k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.03.85
1 – CELTIC SEA (SAF), 55.0, b f 2, Captain Al (SAF) – Ireland (BRZ) by Mark Of Esteem (IRE). Owner Mr A R Beck; Breeder Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein; trainer SG Tarry; jockey S Khumalo
2 – Dagmar (SAF), 58.0, b f 2, Querari (GER) – Daffodil Day (SAF) by Silvano (GER)
3 – Cloud Break (SAF), 58.0, b f 2, Oratorio (IRE) – Pan Amm (SAF) by Jet Master (SAF)
Margins: 2.50, 2.40, 2.80
