Drakenstein Stud have been proven very wise to source USA sire, Trippi, (a winner of the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes when three-years-old,) as he’s gone on to do a great job since moving to South Africa. He was the Equus Champion sire of 2015/16 and has sired more than 80 stakes winners around the world. He also sports a fine winner to runners’ ratio of 80%.
Those already sterling stats received a boost on Saturday when his progeny Amanzimtoti ex Beach Beauty (speed score 104) and Trip of Fortune ex Louvre (s/s 100) took out the Western Cape Fillies Championship (G2) and Cape Classic (G3) respectively at Kenilworth.
Both were visually impressive, earned big speed figures and closed off their races strongly. They are trained by Candice Bass Robinson and were handled with aplomb by high-percentage jockey Aldo Domeyer, who is presently riding better than ever.
Regular readers of this newsletter know that the required Classic- standard speed score is 100 +, so Amanzimtoti and Trip of Fortune (he’d previously managed 103 when beating Russian Rock) fit that elite measure.
The placed horses also emerged with real credit. Zapatillas (s/s 99) tracked a strong pace in the Cape Classic and kept on well. Interbet ambassador, Brett Crawford will be hopeful that his charge can gain revenge under a less taxing pace set-up and over a longer run in. Crawford was to gain some compensation in the last when sprinter Whoa Whoa Whoa (s/s 93 +) romped to an easy victory in a low-grade handicap suggesting more wins are in the tank.
Getting back to the Classic – Xavion (s/s 98) caught the eye with a powerful dash. This was only the son of Futura third start, so he has obvious scope to make further progress. Double Superlative (s/s 96 +) is another to note. Justin Snaith’s recent Maiden winner received lots of support in the betting market and duly ran on with purpose from dead last. He looms a long-range Cape Derby prospect.
In the Fillies race, two 40/1 outsiders chased home Amanzimtoti. They benefitted from something of a pace meltdown with only Maria Querol (s/s 96) of the handy runners keeping on into the frame.
Chansonette (s/s 100) was turned out in beautiful shape by Andre Nel and ran a particularly gallant race in defeat. This daughter of Vercingetorix is worth following. Mercury Rising (s/s 96), dropped out to the back from a wide draw, stayed on nicely to sneak third position in a race where the strength of the form should stand up through Summer. The only concern is that impressive winner, Amanzimtoti was reported coughing afterwards.