Midlands breeder Bruce le Roux of Spring Valley Stud was thrilled when an expensive plan came together at Greyville on Sunday courtesy of the Duncan Howells-trained Var filly A Womens Way.

The filly cantered down to the start exceptionally well and returned full of running, despite jumping from a wide draw, and just got up under Ian Sturgeon.

Le Roux said, “It was only her second start and it was a Gr 2, so she has already done what she needed to do and everything from now on will be a bonus.” Le Roux owns the unbeaten Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm Stud-bred filly in partnership with Tinus Gericke.

Le Roux had travelled to last year’s CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January in search of a well-bred filly by either Var or Captain Al. He said, “In my opinion A Womens Way was the nicest filly on the sale, but I didn’t think I would have the money.”

Her full sister had cost R900,000 at the previous year’s National Yearling Sale.

Le Roux’s fears were exacerbated when he saw how good A Womens Way looked upon being walked out of her box. Therefore, he asked her to be returned to the box almost immediately.

When the bidding quickly reached R400,000 he became demoralised and was ready to throw in the towel, but his wife jabbed him in the ribs and said “if you want her you must get her”, so he plugged on and managed to land her for his maximum of R500,000.

He said, “We were lucky to get her for that price.”

A Womens Way was backed from 7/1 into 11/2 on debut over 1000m at Scottsville on May 11 and won by 0,75 lengths. The form now looks strong. The Drier-trained filly she beat, Anime, was beaten 2,5 lengths into third over 1200m next time out by subsequent Gr 1 winner Querari Falcon with subsequent KZN Yearling Million winner Lunar Rush filling the second place. Anime then won by 4,75 lengths in her third start over 1000m at Scottsville.

A Womens Way has got her “litte quirks” according to Le Roux and in her second start had to be scratched after being loaded first and then rearing and dumping the jockey.

Michael Shaw is gaining an increasing reputation as a “horse whisperer” and he put in plenty of work at the stalls with A Womens Way, which enabled her to regain her starting stall certificate. Michael was also with her at the start on Sunday, where she was perfectly well behaved. Michael hails from the famous Laird clan. He is the son of Summerveld trainer Therese Micthley, who is the daughter of Russel Laird, brother of Syd. Russel was a fine trainer in his own right.

A Womens Way jumped superbly on Sunday, as progeny of Var often do, and this enabled her to slot into a handy position. She then displayed the kick typical of Var’s progeny and was also able to stave off the determined challenge of Arissa in the closing stages.

Le Roux admitted A Womens Way had her issues but nothing a trainer of Howells class could not handle.

Howells had a fine day on Sunday from beginning to end. He also won a minor race as well as finishing second in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes with Dawn Calling, fourth in the Gr 1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup with Saratoga Dancer and fourth in the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet with Patchit Up Baby.

Ashburton would have been celebrating this week because Paul Gadsby also brought home a trophy, courtesy of Gunner winning the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes.

Le Roux said Howells was of the belief A Womens Way would stay up to a mile in time, so the CTS US$500,000 Sales race to be staged at Turffontein next January over 1600m might be on the cards.

David Thiselton