Whilst the universal rate for winning favorites from a massive sample over time is around 35%, the wisdom of crowds sometimes ensures that they win at an even better rate in the short term. Three of the four sprint features at Scottsville’s Day of Speed went to obvious market leaders, with the other race going to a well-backed second choice on a rough day for bookies.
Winter Cloud was the only favourite to be toppled. She came from last into second ahead of Elegant Ice but was no match for Mrs Geriatrix (speed score 96) who kept her unbeaten record. Sean Tarry’s Vercingetorix filly trucked down from the Highveld to saunter in easing up in the G1 Allan Robertson. She now has considerable paddock value for the Magical Lady Syndicate, headed by the RA’s bubbly boss, Natalie Turner.
Tarry was also on the mark with Lucky Lad (s/s 99 +) in the Gold Medallion. The son of Gimmethegreenlight is a perfect four from four, and, if that’s possible given the consummate ease of Mrs Geriatrix’s victory, this was an even more dominant display. Lucky Lad was much the best, clearing off by five lengths from Outlaw King, to justify heavy support into 11/10.
Remarkably the same trainer jockey combo of Tarry and Richard Fourie got the job done is the SA Fillies Sprint, as well. Here the win machine, Princess Calla (s/s 105+) obliterated her opposition at 8/10 odds on. The Flower Alley mare has won nine of 21 starts – this excellent win came at the expense of Desert Miracle who finished three lengths adrift with three-year-old Golden Hostess running on belatedly into the trifecta slot.
Tarry and Fourie were to be denied a rare Jackpot of G1’s, though. Fourie’s mount Rio Querari failed to pick up his feet in the Golden Horse, trailing in unplaced. But Tarry got really close, as his entry, 2022 Medallion hero, Thunderstruck (s/s 108) woke up dramatically back at his favourite stamping ground to snatch second over Surjay (s/s 108) who also ran a big race in defeat.
Honors deservedly went to high class, top weight Gimme a Prince (s/s 110 +) who must now surely be regarded as SA’s best sprinter. In the past six month’s he won the Cape Merchants and Cape Flying Champs, finished second in the Diadem to Bereave, and was beaten by the draw when a stiff second in the Drill Hall Stakes behind proven G1 hot-shot, Trip of Fortune.
Full credit must go to trainer Dean Kannemeyer and jockey Keagan de Melo who have done a great job together with this Gimmethegreenlight ex Real Princess gelding. He’s overcome some physical issues to produce fabulous performances over different distances, be it down the straight or when handling a turn.
Gimme a Prince’s most recent speed figures read: 107 + in the Merchants; a career best of 119 in the Flying Champs; 113 + it the Drill Hall and now 110 ++ for this latest G1 success. Bravo!!