Spirited. Silvan Spirit is a progressive sort and capable of winning the Walmer Handicap
The R90 000 Walmer Handicap to be run over 1800m heads the Arlington Friday programme. Alan Greeff’s smart Silvano filly Silvan Spirit looks the one to be with, in what is bound to be a hotly contested affair. Another daughter of champion sire Silvano could provide her with most to think about.
This non black type event has attracted a field of ten, with Greeff sending out a three way coupling with some smart back up for the Wedgewood Handicap winner, Silvan Spirit.
Forward Type
One of the most progressive gallopers in the region, Silvan Spirit has earned at all of her starts, and after winning the Wedgewood Handicap in runaway fashion, failed to deliver next time when well beaten by Rain Gal. Silvan Spirit did not act on the soft going, when going a six length third in the Jockey Club Stakes and is certainly worth another chance. She will be ridden for the first time by the more than capable Stuart Randolph.
Versatile
Her stablemate Entrancer is a versatile two time winning daughter of Windrush, who won her last start over the course and distance in good style. She was well back in the Wedgewood, but has found form recently.
This is a step up in class for her, but she is bang in form and capable of running into the money. The former Stan Elley trained Jet Master mare Starlight Beauty is the third of the Greeff runners. She has earned at 3 of her 4 PE outings and has always looked a lot better than a one time winner. Starlight Beauty likes to run at them late off a slow pace, and has upset potential, despite not looking like much on paper.
Flower Child
The Sham’s Silvano filly Daffodil Day has ‘overdue’, stamped all over her and has run four seconds on the trot. She could be Silvan Spirit’s biggest hurdle. She beat Silvan Spirit by 1,75 lengths when going second in the Jockey Club Stakes last time out, but is now 1,5kgs worse off. That is compounded if we consider that Silvan Spirit did not enjoy the underfoot conditions.
Snaith
Justin Snaith saddles the 4yo Count Dubois filly, Count To Ten. The two time winner will be ridden by Richard Fourie. While she has only won up to a mile, Count To Ten may enjoy the 1800m at her first Arlington outing. She was despatched back to Cape Town for her last run, when staying on strongly for second over 1400m at Durbanville.
A glance back to March shows that Count To Ten got the better of Silvan Spirit by over two lengths in the East Cape Breeders Guineas, and she is thus capable of winning a race of this nature.
Bass
The Mike Bass Grey’s Inn mare Mission House has her second outing in Port Elizabeth. The former Cape based three time winner ran a fair fifth behind Scented Ash at her opening start, and is a solid frontrunner . She would probably prefer it 200m shorter, but could improve to place.
The Steven Janse Van Rensburg trained Show Time won her first two starts and even earned a bash at the SA Fillies Guineas. She was hopelessly outclassed there, and has returned to her home base and battled to find her winning feet.
She did run an eyecatching third behind Stormy Coast in the Paddock Stakes, but then suffered a possible second run after a rest type slump when going unplaced behind Rain Gal.
Hat Trick
Gavin Smith’s She’s A Lady is a course and distance winner and won three on the roll earlier in the year. She has also beaten Daffodil Day previously, and technically has the beating of her again. The Corne Spies trained Hazel Jay has got poor recent form and looks hard pressed to feature.
Mitch Wiese’s Camden Burrough also appears to have lost her form recently. The daughter of Grey’s Inn last ran a place when a 6,50 length second in the Wedgewood Handicap behind Silvan Spririt. She is now 9kgs better off with the Greeff filly, but is not in the brightest of form currently, as we have noted.
Value
While we will have to monitor the going, Silvan Spirit looks a confident first choice. She should hold Daffodil Day, with Count To Ten and She’s A Lady most likely to fill dominate the minor cheque rush. Starlight Beauty is our quartet kicker and could add some value.
