Summer Pudding pulled off an historic feat in winning the Triple Tiara at Turffontein on Saturday when accelerating strongly away from pursuers, Pomander and Ballet Shoes.
Bred by champion stallion, Silvano ex Cherry on the Cake, this high- class filly traded at around evens to complete a laudable sweep of the Fillies Guineas, Classic and Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2450m. Plaudits go to trainer Paul Peter for having her in prime shape after the enforced break to produce a sub 17 second 300m to finish in the dash for glory.
Hawwaam (speed score 110 +), also sired by Silvano, landed the G1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes with an assertive victory. He raced handy then finished in around 17 seconds and change without being unduly pressured. Mike de Kock’s charge ran as high as 116 as a three year- old so is imbued with international level talent.
Hawwaam’s credentials are hardly a state secret and he’s sure to be a skinny price for any race he contests in South Africa before seeking his fortune abroad. Perhaps the horse to take out of the race for future wagering purposes is his stable companion – the rapidly developing, young filly Queen Supreme. Her speed figure of 107 + combined with a brisk closing sectional of 16.76 was eye-catching and she seems poised to add to her G1 tally during this condensed Winter feature season. It will be interesting to see where trainer Mike de Kock decides to place her next up.
Out Of Your League (by Elusive Fort) caused a 45/1 jolt by outstaying opposition from the front in the G1 SA Derby over 2450m. Trainer Fabian Habib’s charge was swamped by challengers inside the last 300 and looked done for, yet fought back doggedly, churning through that section in 17.30 seconds. Shango and Got the Greenlight (who moved up sweetly to win it only to cave in late when his suspect stamina let him down) were close by in second and third spots.
On Sunday, Bunker Hunt (s/s 99 ++) sauntered to a fluent score in the G2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Greyville, easily accounting for sprint star, Kasimir and Queens Plate hero, Vardy. After a winless but, nevertheless, credible 2019, he produced a swift inside move which propelled him a couple lengths clear of those two highly ranked, G1 winners, strongly suggesting that this Dynasty gelding has a big race in him this Winter.
Mississippi Burning (by Captain Al) was another to launch a rail skimming rally to catch 50/1 long shot Mary O in the G2 Fillies Guineas on the same card. The field merely jogged down the back straight which scrambles the value of the form, yet her excellent turn of foot remains Adam Marcus’ filly’s best attribute, a quality she used to land a similarly false run G1 Cape Fillies Guineas in December.
Wild Coast (s/s 104) won on the bob against brave front-runner Padre Pio (s/s 104) in the G2 WSB Guineas. He showed himself to be extremely talented during the Cape season despite bad draws and muddling pace scenarios working against him in a few races. This bred- in- the- purple son of Trippi ex Beach Beauty showed his real capability in a true run mile – he’s top-class and can be followed with confidence from the Justin Snaith stable.