‘National 2yo Sale Was A Tonic’ – Corne Spies

Potala Palace filly storms to gutsy victory

Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Corne Spies and his bang in-form team rounded off a rewarding week that included a successful Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale, with two nice winners at Turffontein on Saturday.

The Spies double included a gutsy victory by their Potala Palace flyer Singforafa in the Listed Gardenia Stakes.

The 4yo now takes on the males and goes for the New Turf Carriers Gr3 Merchants on Gauteng Summer Cup day.

Singforafa (Craig Zackey, in blue) digs deep to hold True To Life (Gavin Lerena) and Vernichey (Warren Kennedy) in an exciting finish (Pic – JC Photos)

Carrying joint top weight of 61,5kgs, the 9-2 Singforafa produced her customary forward charge style of running in the 1000m feature on Saturday and dug deep late in the race to hold off a flying challenge by the well-backed favourite True To Life, who failed by a neck.

Gavin van Zyl’s KZN raider Vernichey finished top of the sophomore class, just over a half length back in third.

The winner clocked 57,15 secs and will now be aimed at the Gr3 Merchants on Summer Cup Day, rather than the World Sports Betting Gr3 Magnolia Handicap.

Corne explained that he would have been happier to let Singforafa take on her own sex, but that she would have to carry 65kgs.

“I don’t think it’s fair to ask her to lumber 65kgs. It’s a great pity that a nice sprinting filly is stopped in her tracks now. So I will probably run her in the Merchants against the boys. She is most effective over 1000m and the Merchants is 1160m. So it’s not ideal. But she is tough and loves a fight!” added the trainer, who said he felt that his charge was slightly overrated by the handicappers – despite the fact that she had won well.

Singforafa has won 5 races with 6 places from 18 starts for stakes of R562 375.

The daughter of Ridgemont Highlands’ massive value  Singspiel sire Potala Palace, was bred by the late Nico Swart from the thrice winning Whistling Wood mare First Whistle,

The winner races in the silks of Corne’s son Xander, who was enjoying his first lead-in of the flying filly.

On the Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale, Corne said he was thrilled and very happy with the outcome.

Things are looking up! (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

“Without constant restocking, trainers have it tough as one needs horses to race. We got a really nice bunch of 2yo’s, including 4 of our 5 top picks. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to get 80% of what we really wanted means the future looks bright! I must thank the breeders and owners who supported us. It was a fantastic happy sale with a good vibe. It was a tonic in these tough times,” he added.

Corne says he will be watching the CTS Ready To Run Gallops on Tellytrack on Monday from Cape Town.

“We have to stay on the wheel. That CTS sale has also produced some really nice horses. It’s an online sale and we will adapt accordingly. Flexibility is the new normal!” he laughed.

The CTS Ready To Run, Unbroken 2 Year Old & Mixed Sale will be held in partnership with Gavelhouse.com on Sunday 29 November.

 

Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname

Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.

All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname – no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the EditorThe Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.

Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Share:

Facebook
WhatsApp
Twitter

Popular Posts

The Enchanting Currency Of Fate

It is eerie to think that there would have been no Siren’s Call, Sound Of Warning, or for that matter Call To Unite, had fate not decreed that Enchanted Cove follow her dam to South Africa, and that Peter de Beyer had the foresight to return Elusive Fort back home from the States as well!

Read More »