Majmu made a winning debut in the Ruffian Stakes and goes for two features in a row
Now we’ll see! The two highest rated contenders in the Pretty Polly Stakes met earlier this month in the Ruffian Stakes, a Listed race. Mike de Kock trained Majmu made her debut, and topped the betting (5/2 to 12/10).
Slow out of the stalls and racing green, she hit the front close home to win by a length, seemingly with something in hand. Runner-up Flame Cat had set the pace, couldn’t quite repel the challenge of the winner, but finished well ahead of the remainder.
Flame Cat was the more experienced of the pair, with a second place and a win from her two previous starts. She still raced somewhat green when beaten by Majmu (as she had done when winning her second start), so things might not be as straightforward for Majmu here.
What’s important is that Flame Cat gave Majmu 3kg last time and meets her on level terms here. Despite being a likely improver, Majmu may have a race on her hands over this quick 1100m course – her opponent has more of a sprinting pedigree than she does.
Both fillies are Australian imports, Flame Cat a A$60k yearling, whereas Majmu cost a heftier A$300 – you may multiply by ten to get the Rand value. It’s hard to see anything threatening the Aussies, who have good ratings.
It means that any newcomer (there are two) would have to be high class. Sean Tarry comes with Captain Al filly Carry On Alice, whose dam Carry On Katie won the Gr2 Debutante Stakes as a 2yo and was third in the Pretty Polly of her year (she had a career best MR 100). Anything possible with a pedigree like that!
The other newcomer is Weiho Marwing trained Born To Fly, a daughter of speedy Seventh Rock out of a mare by Choisir. Keep an eye on the betting.
Corne Spies has two runners. Jo Malone ran third to Banadeer and her own stable mate Kiss Me Hardy in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes. She showed pace, but had no answer to her male opponents. The second one is Snow Call, a winner from five starts, and beaten two lengths by Jo Malone when the latter won, giving 3kg. That sets Jo Malone apart now that they meet at level weights.
Once-raced Miss December and Spellbound should improve on their debut efforts, when beaten by Flame Cat and Jo Malone respectively. Spellbound finished lame on that occasion and might well be able to reverse placings with Jo Malone, who has to give 3kg this time.
Sean Tarry’s second runner Millenium Reign has run twice. She beat Flame Cat on her second start, by three-quarters, at level weights. That was Flame Cat’s first run, and she put up much improved efforts the next two times. Whether Millennium Reign will be capable of the same remains to be seen.
In summary, this looks a battle between the Australian imports, with a slight preference going to Majmu, the likely favourite. Spellbound and Millennium Reign might be best of the rest.
