Gavin Lerena drives Arcetri Pink clear to a facile win (JC Photos)
Trainer Geoff Woodruff was in unstoppable form at Turffontein on Saturday with four winners. While the Sansui Summer Cup victory was no doubt the sweetest, there was plenty to like about the way his Australian-bred Arcentri Pink won the R400 000 Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge.
The 3yo’s Pine Princess and Carry On Alice dominated punter’s attention in the race named in honour of one of the greatest fillies to race here. But those with slightly longer memories may have recalled Arcetri Pink’s scintillating Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas victory seven months earlier over Saturday’s course and distance.
The 4yo was allowed to drift to 11 to 2 as the money came for Carry On Alice into 11 to 10.
In the end, the writing was on the wall at the 500m marker already as Gavin Lerena shopped for running room and eventually scythed through a gap at the 300m to beat Pine Princess, who rallied impressively, by 4 lengths in a time of 98,61 secs.
Geoff Woodruff – happy day at the office
Carry On Alice was only a quarter length behind De Kock’s filly, but this wasn’t her run.
Erin ran on strongly for fourth. She needs at least 400m further and it was a great effort in the circumstances.
Arcetri Pink was bred in Australia by Hill Holme Lodge and is by Rock Of Gibraltar out of the Galileo mare Arcetri.
Arcetri Pink was purchased for $45,000 by Heritage Bloodstock at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Millford Thoroughbreds and is the first foal of Arcetri, an unraced half-sister by Galileo to Gr2-winning sprinter Camena.
Sharon Patterson bought her back on behalf of her clients Ray Bisnath and Asogen Pillay for R800 000 on the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale.
She has now won 5 races with 8 places from 20 starts and R1 365 250 in stakes.
