Daisy Fillies Guineas Gr.2
Regarded as the proverbial penalty kick, Cape Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance was backed well into the red for her eagerly awaited KZN debut. However, a lack of racing fitness saw the daughter of Captain Al come up empty at the death and she was denied a Classic double when outgunned late by local challenger and paternal half-sister Fiorella.
Sent to the head of affairs by Bernard Fayd’Herbe, Snowdance was allowed to dictate matters and looked set for victory at the top of the straight. Elusive Heart (Elusive Fort) was first to challenge, while Fiorella also started her forward move under Anton Marcus.
When Fayd’Herbe asked Snowdance to kick again, there was no response and Marcus, sensing he was on the fitter horse, gradually wore down the leader to draw alongside inside the final furlong. In a bruising run to the line, Snowdance was unable to shake off Fiorella, who gamely responded and inched ahead to deny the favourite by a short head.
Marcus was also aboard the winner when fourth behind Takingthepeace in last month’s Gr.1 SA Fillies Classic.
Winning trainer Duncan Howells remarked: “She ran a cracker of a race. At the top of the straight I thought we may just finish in the money. Then I thought we could finish second and then I thought we could win it. It was just an unbelievable effort from the filly. Good luck to [owner] Dave McClean, he deserves this win.”
Snowdance was game in defeat, but take nothing away from the winner, who was tasting Stakes success for the first time. The pair are likely to square off again in next month’s Gr.1 Woolavington 2000. Snowdance will be razor sharp by then, whereas Fiorella could just have the edge over the 2000m trip.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud and purchased for R700,000 at the National Yearling Sale, Fiorella’s female line is replete with stamina. She is out of SA Oaks winner Arcola (Caesour), who for good measure also won the Gr.3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m.
Together with Ash Cloud (Black Minnaloushe) and Princess Of Light (Var), she is one of a remarkable three Oaks winners out of Broodmare ofthe Year Star Of Arcole (Foveros), dam also of the out-and-out stayer and Port Elizabeth Gold hero Drill Sargeant (Dynasty). Fiorella’s third dam, the Argentine import Arcole (Mariache), won
both the Gr.2 Natal Oaks and Clairwood Gold Vase.
By Ritesh Jamkhedkar-Ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretaritasworld.com