Sean Tarry and Calvin Habib got the Vaal feature quartet – relocated from Turffontein – under way on Saturday when Capetown Noir’s daughter Under Your Spell lived up to her name with a fluent win in the R100 000 Listed Ruffian Stakes.
The daughter of Capetown Noir was a facile winner on debut at Turffontein on New Year’s Eve and took another step up the ladder with an eyecatching victory – her top trainer suggesting she ‘could go all the way’.
Settled at the rear of the five horse field early on, she turned it on late and went right away from her field to beat Heavens Girl (11-2) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 56,86 secs.
Calvin Habib salutes as Under Your Spell charges to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
Corne Spies’ Supreme Quest (15-2) a head away in third.
The favourite Naarah (17-20) finished out of the money in a disappointing effort.
Calvin Habib dedicated the win to his wife and acknowledged the faith placed in him by Sean Tarry. “I appreciate the opportunity! And the filly’s classy and looking for a little bit further,” he added.
Trainer Sean Tarry said that his filly had done a lot wrong in the first half and a lot right in the second half of the race.
“We bought a parcel of horses online and unseen. She’s from a top family – I trained Witchcraft. Calvin really kept a cool head and good for him. A lot of guys never think they ever going to get a ride – but I do notice when they work hard. He ticks all the boxes. It’s hard work rewarded,” added Tarry, while thanking his extensive group of owners.
A Summerhill bred daughter of Capetown Noir (Western Winter) out of the unraced Irish-bred Deceptive Charm (Kingmambo), Under Your Spell made it two wins in two starts and took her stakes earnings to R102 000.
