The reappearance at Scottsville today from ‘retirement’ of the recent Listed KwaZulu Natal Stakes winner Clear Sailing may raise some eyebrows. The daughter of Argonaut won her anticipated ‘final’ race in smart style when thought to be five months in foal.
Clear Sailing wins the Listed KZN Stakes
Clear Sailing takes on seven rivals in a competitive MR 90 Handicap over 1000m on a track where she loves to run down the inside rail – and enjoys a bit of give in the ground.
Drawn widest in the small field, her top rider won’t have a problem dropping her in onto the rail.
But she won’t have it easy with Glen Kotzen fielding a very decent coupling, headed by course and distance winner Royal Pleasure, a dual stakes victress at this track.
Anthony Delpech – rides Clear Sailing again
Anthony Delpech rides Clear Sailing again, and owner Cecil Baitz explains that his mare was subsequently found to have absorbed her foal.
After having bled following her second win for her new stable, Clear Sailing had been covered by Ato at Summerhill and was five months pregnant when she registered that valuable black-type win.
“You know, we made such a song and dance of it. And then just before I called the float to take her to the stud, I decided to get her rechecked. I had two Vets, including the original guy, confirm that there was no foal. So we were disappointed and I asked Deez Dayanand to announce it on course, just to clarify things,” said the longstanding KZN based owner, who races Clear Sailing with his Aussie based Veterinarian son, Gary.
The Baitz’ purchased Clear Sailing out of the Dennis Drier yard after her original owners, Robyn and Robin Muir, had decided to put her on the market as a three-time winner.
The Muir’s motivation was that her sire Argonaut was not firing and Clear Sailing had also later developed a breathing issue. That was on top of the fact that she had cracked a pelvis as a weanling –
It was Dr Gary Baitz who advised her new trainer Mike Miller to try the use of a spoon bit, which is used in Australia to keep the tongue down. Miller is also on record as saying that his charge was more relaxed since being scoped in foal.
She won the KZN Stakes by 0,75 lengths beating Sunday’s Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes placer, the promising Free State.
We asked Cecil Baitz if he is going to try his hand at breeding again this year?
“I have been breeding since the mid sixties – my sons are 51 and 48! What age will I be when they are ready to race?” he asked with a laugh.
While Clear Sailing would be a popular sentimental choice, she may be pressed to hold Royal Pleasure.
The daughter of Visionaire is 3,5kgs better off with Clear Sailing and finished 5 lengths off her after a long break at their last meeting. She is classy and will be better this time.
Her 3yo stablemate Night In Tahiti popularly boasts the scalp of the top-class Silver Mountain and is stakes placed – and never far off the action. If she made the Woodhill KZN Express from Paarl, she must be half decent.
Perfumed Lady won her first three
Mike de Kock’s three-time winner Perfumed Lady is a decent and speedy customer but has been under pressure at her stronger last three starts after winning her first three in good style.
She must go in with Anton Marcus in the saddle.
The Dennis Drier trained Rock On Baby is a dual course and distance winner but has been rested 22 weeks since a quiet Cape campaign.
The in-form Lyle Hewitson claims his full value 2,5kgs on the consistent Faberge Style.
She was beaten 4,80 lengths by Clear Sailing last time and is now a full 6kgs better off.
Dennis Bosch’s duo of Shezaleader and Regardstobroadway are both decent 4yo speedsters and add to the complex cocktail of finding a winner.
In a race that will be over almost before it has started, Royal Pleasure, Clear Sailing and Perfumed Lady are our three for the trifecta.
Bigger budget players may want to go with the field in the Pick 6 to be safe.
