A dual Gr2 winner during the 2022/3 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Festival Of Racing, the Flower Alley mare Princess Calla ran a perfect prep in the build-up to her defence of her HSH Princess Charlene Gr1 Empress Club Stakes title next month, when she paralysed a quality mixed-sex field to win the R400 000 G2 Senor Santa Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
The well-travelled galloper has had her fair share of trainers, but after cracking her first Gr1 last season in the care of Ashley Fortune, she has clearly blossomed as a 5yo under the Sean Tarry flag, having won three Gr2 contests in just four starts for the former multiple SA Champion conditioner.
Relaxed early by Richard Fourie as the lightning fast Rollwiththepunches carved the fractions out front, Princess Calla cruised forward effortlessly and drew away at 17-10 to beat the flying pacesetter by 5,25 lengths in a time of 66, 36 secs for the 1160m.
Topweighted Supreme Warrior (25-2) was a half length back in third, with the winner’s stablemate Thunderstruck (14-1) showing a nice hint of a form return when staying on for fourth cheque.
Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Princess Calla is by Flower Alley (Distorted Humor)out of the Captain Al mare Princess Royal.
A R600 000 purchase from the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Princess Calla has now won 8 races with 9 places from 19 starts for stakes of R2 453 475.
Watch the replay:
