The dramatic late scratching of second favourite Regal Graduation at the start of the R150 000 Heritage 1200 (F&M) at Turffontein on Saturday, had many exotic players depending heavily on the Var filly Schippers to deliver.
Gavin Lerena and Schippers go through the motions (Pic – JC Photos)
Geoff Woodruff’s progressive 4yo firmed into 6-10 favourite in the six horse field after the withdrawal of her chief opponent. But given a cool ride by Gavin Lerena, there were no nervous moments.
She relaxed near the rear and made her move down the rail to catch the free-striding Celestina at the 250m marker before drawing clear to win by 1,40 lengths in a time of 70,43 secs for the 1200m on the inside track.
It was Lerena’s eighth winner from his last seventeen rides at Turffontein and an armchair experience at worst.
Celestina got a flyer from her pole position draw but had little to offer when challenged and stayed on for second. The third placed Rouge Allure was 2,60 lengths back in third.
Schippers has won 4 of her 9 starts with 3 places and stakes of R375 500.
Bred and raced by Geoff van Lear, she is a daughter of Var (Forest Wildcat) out of four-time winner Fair Rosalind (Count Dubois.
Schippers looks likely to go on and be competitive in the features this term.
