Grand Dame. Dynasty’s star daughter Beach Beauty stands out in the Klawervlei Gr1 Majorca Stakes
An outstanding field of our best fillies and mares will face the starter in the R1 million Klawervlei Gr1 Majorca Stakes to be run over a mile at Kenilworth on Saturday. Is it a case of simply bankering Beach Beauty again, or could there be a pretender to her throne in the wings?
The Majorca Stakes has been won by some of the big names of the female ranks over the years and the brilliant Beach Beauty would obviously be a worthy addition to the illustrious roll of honour. Having missed the Majorca for the past two years to run in the Met, she takes on some of her talented younger contemporaries in this feature on Saturday, in what is with respect, the twilight of a great career.
Cracker
Beach Beauty finished fifth behind Igugu in the 2012 J&B Met and then ran a cracking third behind shock winner Martial Eagle last year. She showed her wellbeing a fortnight ago when registering an emphatic Gr1 Paddock Stakes double with a workmanlike win over the fast improving Cape Fillies Guineas winner, In The Fast Lane.
Beach Beauty has sidestepped the Met for the first time in three years and some may say that is fate. In more ways than one, maybe. That probably has a little to do with the fact that the Drier stable already has a serious hope for the big race, but also because she is not getting any younger. Interestingly, she hasn’t been beaten by her own sex since April 2012, when she went down to Princess Victoria in the Gr2 Poinsettia Stakes. Beach Beauty has drawn poorly at 13 but is 2kgs better off with In The Fast Lane on their 1,25 length difference in the Paddock Stakes.
Fast Lady
In The Fast Lane has a powerful finish on her and while she has drawn one gate in from the champion, one gets the feeling that if Richard Fourie can get her into the race earlier, she could yet make a serious bid for glory. Her stablemate Jet Supreme will be ridden by Piere Strydom and is a half kilo worse off with Beach Beauty after being beaten over five lengths in the Paddock Stakes. The Umzimkhulu Stakes winner will strip a fitter filly on Saturday and the tactical brain of Strydom should never be underestimated.
De Kock Duo
Mike De Kock has enjoyed a summer of mixed fortunes down in the Cape. He sends out the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Espumanti and the inconsistent Diadem winner, Welwitschia. Both have come on lengths according to Joey Ramsden, who looks after the De Kock string in Cape Town.
Espumanti has drawn well and looks particularly interesting. Her run in the Paddock Stakes was too ordinary to be true and she is likely to show good improvement in the hands of Karl Neisius. Kevin Shea has opted to ride Welwitschia, who was disappointing when a flatfooted fourth in the Sceptre Stakes after a great Diadem win. The daughter of Oasis Dream could run into the money over the mile.
Kotzen Trio
Glen Kotzen’s coupling of Jet Belle and recent Listed Jamaica Handicap winner Omaticaya are both in with above average chances. Their third choice, Masked Lady has been a little disappointing and needs to improve. The beautifully bred Jet Belle ran a cracking second in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes at her first Cape outing. She has not pulled the best of draws at 11 but is a versatile sort who is Gr1 placed and can turn it on when required.
While she won over a sprint at Turffontein in mid November, she is probably at her best over the mile and the engagement of big race rider Robbie Fradd looks an interesting one. The year younger Omaticaya impressed with a powerful finish to win the Jamaica Handicap. The daughter of Silvano has won three of her six starts and is headed the right way. This race may have come a trifle early for her and she should be followed as she matures.
Players
Mike Bass saddles Hammie’s Hooker and the 3yo Lanner Falcon. Hammie’s Hooker looked dangerous late in the Paddock Stakes when running on well for a 2 length fourth. She is a half kilo worse off here and could come into picture as she probably prefers the mile. Lanner Falcon ran over 7 lengths behind Beach Beauty in the Paddock Stakes and is now 2kgs worse of with the Drier flyer. She was right on top of In The Fast Lane in the Fillies Guineas at her penultimate start, and has a chance of improving. But she cannot beat Beach Beauty on paper.
Game
The recent Gr2 Sceptre Stakes winner Reflective Image is an honest and game mare who seldom runs a bad race. Well drawn and from a powerful and in form combination, she has always been more effective over the sprints and is probably a more optimistic entrant than anything else.
Held
Yogas Govender’s Razzle Dazzle Rose ran a poor race in the Paddock Stakes and is well held on that effort. Greg Cheyne rides the Ashaawes filly Priceless Jewel from the best of the draw. This keen frontrunning sort will be looking to dictate the pace as her only chance of improving on her well beaten fifth behind Beach Beauty in the Paddock Stakes. She should prefer the mile to the 1800m there and must have a chance of minor place money at best.
Banker Bet
Beach Beauty will be most punter’s idea of an exotic banker bet on the day. It is difficult to rationalise an argument for her to be beaten in this field. But stranger things have happened and In The Fast Lane and Espumanti are both very smart on their day. If the star blinks or falters, either of the aforementioned two could swoop for the kill.
