Sarasota will be partnered by Piere Strydom
Unlike some of the other features on the day, there is just no lacking for recent form amongst most of the ten runners that line up in the R150 000 Listed Emerald Fillies Stakes to be run over the Cup distance of 1450m on Saturday.
This race is run on bands similar to the Emerald Cup and topping the weights is the highest rated galloper in the race, Break Of Dawn.
Drought
The 5yo daughter of Miesque’s Approval ended her long win drought with a cracking 7,25 lengths win over Cosmogenic over the course and distance on 11 September.
That was her 6th win from 31 starts and was heartening improvement on her recent form.
She had Euphoria beaten 8 lengths away in third and is now 2kgs worse off with the Kahal mare, who is slightly better drawn.
It is very difficult seeing Euphoria reversing things with Break Of Dawn.
The Boys
Charles Laird – sends out Captain’s Daughter
Anton Marcus and Charles Laird come to town with the Vaal sand first timer Captain’s Daughter, who bounced back to better stuff with a forward looking 0,75 length second to Sakania on the Greyville polytrack last time.
That effort followed three dull Champions Season efforts where she was patently outclassed. She comes out high on our ratings and must have a serious chance if producing her previous best on turf.
Good Combination
Piere Strydom and Lucky Houdalakis were successful together with two winning efforts at Sarasota’s three recent runs.
Another daughter of Kahal, she is lghtly raced with 4 wins from her 13 starts and looks fit and ready to put in a big effort.
The Gr3 Starling Stakes winner has a touch of class and with plenty in her favour, must go very close.
Houdalakis also saddles the less likely looking Captain’s Delight, who lacks recent favour and has never won on the sand.
Roy Magner’s Tomorrow’s Miss is another recent Vaal winner.
She has pulled the best of the draw at 1, but may find this on the short side after enjoying the 1800m when beating Nightingale Grey last time.
Well Drawn
Sean Tarry trained Lady Of Kildare has registered her three sand wins by a collective 17,50 lengths and ran on nicely to beat the capable Negev over the course and distance in mid August.
She is well drawn and handily weighted – a big runner in the hands of SA Champion jockey S’manga Khumalo.
Exciting
JP van der Merwe rides the talented Mystic Express again
Mambo In Seattle is one of the most exciting new sire prospects and he has a classy daughter in the Wicklow Stud-bred Mystic Express.
The 3yo simply loves the sand has won her last three starts from 1200m to a mile in fine style.
JP Van Der Merwe gets the ride again and from a 2 draw with just 50kgs to lumber. While she steps up to stronger competition, she has done little wrong.
David Rahilly’s Woodrose takes a big jump in class and has drawn widest of all.
The daughter of Woodborough is a course and distance winner and has proven herself to be versatile with the ability to race handily and from off them (when slow away).
The Tiger Ridge filly Knock Knock drops 10kgs in the weights after a well beaten 11,75 length third to Mystic Express last Thursday.
She still looks held here and recorded her one and only win over a year ago.
Tight
It looks a tight call between the top six.
In the end it could come down to luck at the start and then in running. The Vaal sand can be an unkind environment to those who jump slowly.
Why bet against Piere Strydom?
Sarasota is the selection to beat Captain’s Daughter and Mystic Express.
