The Gauteng Fillies Guineas (GFG) winner Nafaayes is favourite for the second leg of the Triple Tiara, the SA Fillies Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, but the question is whether she will handle the step up in trip.
The Triple Tiara and the three races within it are sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, who have two home-breds running in Saturday’s race, Chitengo and Blossom.
Nafaayes stayed on from a handy position in the GFG, having been given a fine ride from draw three by Warren Kennedy. She should get the run of the race again from pole position and trainer Mike de Kock said he believed she would just get the 1800m but anything further would be a question mark.
Chitengo was caught a touch wide early on in the GFG and after keeping up in the straight from a handy position she was making some eyecatching late progress. She will relish the step up in trip and if Raymond Danielson can place her well from draw nine she has a chance.
Ronnie’s Candy was the unlucky horse in the GFG. She has a fine turn of foot but never saw the daylight which could have enabled her to really let herself down. She was also eased before the line so should have finished third. She has plenty of speed, having won the SA Fillies Nursery, but has learnt to settle recently and could get the trip if Karl Zechner is able to find cover from draw eight.
Last season’s Champion two-year-old filly Return Flight had always struck as one who would be ideally suited to this course and distance as a galloping type who stays on resolutely. The best of her has not yet been seen this season and she will be a threat from draw two.
Her stablemate Second Request proved her class down in Cape Town and could well be the stable elect.
Running Brave was touched off in the GFG and has another good draw so this gallant sort should be right there.
Storm Destiny was caught wide in the GFG and after moving up she faded. That was not the first time she had been undone by a bad draw, but on other occasions she has shown her class so is the dark horse from a good draw of six this time.
Skye lane is an interesting runner having finished a fine fourth at 100/1 odds in the CTS 1600, although it is never easy for a horse who has moved up from Cape Town to Jo’burg running straight away in a feature.
Dagmar was sixth in the GFG but now has a tough draw so is an unlikely winner.
I Like It and Blossom also look held from wide draws.
Perfect Tigress is drawn well and runs for an in form yard but she will need to have improved a lot from the GFG.
By David Thiselton
