The R150 000 Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes heads a bumper and intriguing ten race programme on the Fairview Turf today. With fifteen runners lining up, the feature presents a tough poser for punters.
Trainer Alan Greeff saddled the first leg winner of the Eastern Cape Fillies and Mares Challenge and he throws the kitchen sink at the second leg, with six different runners.
Bella Spumane wins Milkwood – will she stay the mile?
The Dynasty filly Bella Spumante tops the Greeff sextet and is a smart sort who tries a mile for the first time in her career.
Her racing style suggests that Andrew Fortune could ride her to overcome her draw, and she stayed on when 5 lengths off Argonaut last time in the East Cape Breeders Stakes. She was reported coughing, which may have also contributed to that effort.
Bride’s Dowry has lost her form at her last few runs and looks to have lots to do.
Eros’s Girl beats Kumiko to win the East Cape Oaks (Coastal Photos)
The Silvano filly Kumiko seldom runs a bad race and has won her last two starts over the course and distance. If she doesn’t expend too much energy, she could have a say in the finish.
The balance of Greeff’s runners have all shown enough to warrant consideration and the best may be the Australian-bred Atomic.
Outpaced over 1200m at her last run when staying on 3 lengths off Clear Sailing, she is much better over this trip and needs to be considered.
Sunset Tripp wins the Sweet Chestnut
Joint topweight Sunset Tripp has a 7kg weight pull over Kumiko and heads Justin Snaith’s smart trio, which sees the talented Var filly Cup Cake returning to action after a 19 week break.
She won three races in succession before going down 5 lengths to Time To Dream in the Listed Breeders Guineas.
Widely drawn, fitness and accessibility to the mile may count against her.
Snaith also saddles the Dynasty filly Harvard Crimson who heads up the coast in search of a first stakes victory.
Well drawn and enjoying the services of Richard Fourie, she could well surprise at her very best.
Sham Duo
Dorrie Sham
Dorrie Shame is the third trainer with multiple runners and Karl Zechner rides the consistent but luckless Mirror The Moon.
The daughter of Slew The Red faces a tough ask here at these weights.
Her stablemate Casha is nicely drawn at 1 but has not won in ages.
Mike Bass raids with the Silvano filly Good Grace.
The daughter of Silvano has won 3 from 15 starts but was found to be not striding out last time when finishing well downfield behind In Limine at home.
Rondeberg based Andre Nel has enjoyed fair success in PE and the Black Minnaloushe filly Dark Chocolate would have warranted a second look – but for the fact that stable rider Aldo Domeyer has opted to ride Sunset Tripp.
The race is wide open – Purely Atomic could be the value, while Sunset Tripp and Kumiko are definite inclusions.
A Challenge Alright
The R700 000 Eastern Cape Fillies and Mares Challenge first leg, the R150 000 Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes was run over 1200m on Friday 1 July and won by the Argonaut mare, Clear Sailing.
The series is run on the turf.
Friday’s feature is the second leg, while the third leg, the R150 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes will be run over 2000m on Friday, 26 August.
A bonus of R250 000 would have been paid to the owners of the horse that won all three legs of the Challenge – but with Clear Sailing not in Friday’s field, that won’t be claimed in 2016.
