The Frank Robinson-trained Dynasty filly Olma proved herself the best polytrack horse in the country by winning the Gr 3 Kings Cup over 1600m on Friday night at Greyville in comfortable style under Ian Sturgeon, despite carrying 58kg under handicap conditions against the boys off a merit rating of 101.
Ian Sturgeon (Nkosi Hlophe)
However, she is just as good on turf and Robinson is now targeting the Gr 1 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on April 16.
The Kings Cup was run in the rain and took place shortly after a torrential downpour.
The going on the all weather surface for the last three races was described as “rain affected” but most horses didn’t seem phased.
Sturgeon said he knew virtually from the off it would take a good one to beat the small Dynasty filly as she was “moving so sweetly”.
She came from the box seat on the rail and used her exceptional turn of foot followed by her resolute finish to overtake the brave Alyson Wright-trained pace maker Mumsy’s Jet and win by 2,75 lengths.
The Charles Laird-trained Stormy Eclipse stayed on strongly and was just a short-head further back in third.
The Tote favourite Exit Here was asked to do quite a lot early to find a handy position from a draw of eight and found nothing in the straight, finishing last.
Robinson said the race provided further evidence Olma was improving all the time. The mile seems to be her best trip too.
Robinson and Sturgeon also combined to win the first race over 1200m with the impressive Horse Chestnut three-year-old gelding Bahamas Woodstar, who ran on powerfully from last to win easily. He had been unlucky on debut last October when hampered, which also caused him to pull up sore. Robinson, because he rates this horse so highly, decided to allow him the time to recover fully, and is not going to rush him into anything too soon.
Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)
Later the up and coming Dean Kannemeyer-trained sprinter Captain Alfredo announced his South African Champions Season pretensions with a fine win in a MR 102 handicap over 1000m, wearing down the useful Viva La Var. The Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint is likely to be on his agenda.
Kannemeyer’s Real Princess didn’t enjoy the slow pace of a Conditions Plate over 1400m, where she was 5kg well in, and couldn’t catch Weiho Marwing’s Auatralian-bred filly Sensible Lover. The latter has always been well regarded and is coming into her own.
Dennis Drier added a double to his four-timer the previous Wednesday. Stable jockey Sean Veale rode four of these six winners.
By David Thiselton
