Beloved Country wins the Sentinel Stakes to retain her unbeaten record (Gold Circle)
Poor support by local owners and trainers put something of a damper on the juvenile double feature bill at Clairwood on Sunday. Only ten runners lined up in the two races but Anton Marcus and Charles Laird were happy to oblige as they helped themselves to the lion’s share of the R120 000 Sentinel Stakes with the undefeated Trippi filly Beloved Country.
Laird’s move to avoid the fillies race run a half hour later and rather take on what looked like a weaker field in the colts’ event with his speedy filly was a shrewd one.
Five runners lined up with another filly in the unraced maiden Dark Eyes, making up the non black type feature field.
Robbie Hill’s Glinka, making his debut, was out like a flash and he showed the way from National King and Beloved Country, who raced with her neck turned slightly.
Charles Laird trained the winner
The fancied Harry’s Son was outpaced early.
At the 300m marker, Marcus sent Beloved Country and she glided into the lead.
Stuart Randolph was urging Harry’s Son along and he took forever to get going as Marcus was enjoying the moment and roaring away to win.
The Australian bred Harry’s Son started a 12 to 10 favourite but was never in the hunt and had no chance with the winner on the day, being beaten 1,75 lengths into second.
The winner’s time was 58,86 secs.
Another Klawervlei Stud bred runner in King’s Apostle’s first winner National King, ran third.
Glinka showed great pace on his debut to stay on for fourth. He should be a strong proposition in a maiden over the minimum trip next time.
Winning jockey Anton Marcus had not had a great time up to this point. He said that after Beloved Country’s slow start, it was not by design that she was just off the pace and she had run very green.
Winning trainer Charles Laird said his jockey had recommended that the filly be restricted to the 1000m after her opening win but that he felt she would go at least 1200m in time.
Beloved Country was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is a daughter of Trippi and the very fast Australian bred, Uber Rock, who won three races here.
She was sold for R600 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Book 1.
Unbeaten in two starts, Beloved Country took her earnings to R123 750.
Laird rates her, so keep an eye on her in the fillies sprint features.
