The dashed dreams of the gallant Helen’s Ideal’s to wear the Cape Winter Triple Tiara lay scattered on the Kenilworth turf on Saturday as the Snaith stable dominated the finish to the R150 000 Listed Winter Oaks.
The Paul Reeves trained Helen’s Ideal won the first two legs of the series with authority and on paper she looked like she would stay the 2200m.
Richard Fourie and Duchess Of Bourbon hold the attentions of Robert Khathi and Fortune Flies (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The betting public were behind her, as were her connections.
But at the 300m marker is it was clear that the daughter of Ideal World was treading water and she ended up out of the money and 13 lengths back in an anti-climax to what was hoped to be a champagne afternoon for the Reeves team.
But while Helen’s Ideal was thrashing against the tide, the Snaiths were riding the crest of the wave as their duo of Duchess Of Bourbon and Fortune Flies dominated the finish.
Duchess Of Bourbon, owned by an American Syndicate, had been earmarked early for this race – even though modest jockey Richard Fourie said he thought that 1400m would be her game.
“The Duke Of Marmalades are not 2yo’s. You can see what they are doing as 3yo’s! She could be a Paddock Stakes filly – even though that is probably on the short side still, I think,” said Jonathan Snaith, who admitted that he thought Robert Khathi and Fortune Flies had the measure of Fourie and the Duchess in the final stages.
“But Richard is a difficult guy to get past if he is in front in the final 200m! They are both lovely fillies and we are pleased,” he added.
Duchess Of Bourbon (3-1) beat Fortune Flies (13-1) by a half length in a time of 144,31 secs.
Chris and Jonathan Snaith with Richard Fourie at the presentation (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Jackson’s smart daughter Heaven’s Embrace ran third.
The Snaiths had earlier saddled Platinum Class to win the Ladies Mile-(L).
A R600 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Duchess Of Bourbon has won 3 races with 6 places from 11 starts for stakes of R277 000.
The winner was bred by Golden Touch Thoroughbred Services & M Kidd and is a daughter of Drakenstein sire Duke Of Marmalade out of the twice winning Spectrum mare Rose Garden.
Stipes Report excerpt:
JE NE SAIS QUOI (M J Byleveld), which rolled in and brushed HELEN’S IDEAL (D Dillon) at the 100m, Jockey M J Byleveld reported that he felt something amiss with this filly and did not persevere with his riding in the latter stages. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
In view of the performance from MARY MOON (S Khumalo) (17.95 lengths), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
WALLIS SIMPSON (C Orffer), which was hanging out throughout and compounded from the top of the straight, was not persevered with from the 300m. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
