Gerrit Schlechter put in lots of hard work for his top-five finish on the jockeys’ log last season and his choice of ride in the R80 000 grade 3 Champagne Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 200m at Kenilworth in Cape Town on Saturday might provide a clue to the outcome of the race.
On a weekend looking rather short of quality racing, Schlechter has taken the ride on last year’s winner, Waterwise.
In the process the Cape-based jockey has deserted another big contender, Trojan Belle, whom he partnered to a good victory at her penultimate start in Port Elizabeth.
Waterwise is bidding for a hat-trick, having accounted for two useful types in Tralee’s Boy and Pagan Lust at her past two starts. Her last run took place just over two months ago but, if she strips racing fit, the daughter of Counter Action looks sure to have a big say in the finish.
Trojan Belle is no slouch and has good form in Port Elizabeth, having won two of her past four starts. At the time of going to press, however, a replacement jockey had not yet been nominated for the Justin Snaith-trained filly and Schlechter’s choice of ride must be respected.
The biggest challenge to Waterwise could emerge from the Fort Wood filly Press Ahead. This one cruised in by 5,5 lengths in her last start over 1 000m and, although she meets much stronger opposition here, seems to be improving. She should also appreciate the greater emphasis on stamina demanded by this testing six furlongs.
Joey Ramsden’s gutsy Dance Of Diamonds, a Fillies Nursery winner in her juvenile season, seldom gives less than her best and is always a threat. She enjoys the stiff Kenilworth 1 200m course and looks sure to make her presence felt.
The Mike Bass-trained pair of Casino Queen and Warrior Maid also have chances in what appears to be a fairly open affair. The former was a runner-up in Durban to her highly rated stable companion Enchantress at her last start.
Kenilworth best bets: Mambo (race 1); Avant-Guard (race 4) Turffontein best bets: Faberge Fox (race 1); Lace And Leather (race 7); Balkash (race 8) Clairwood best bets: Editress (race 8); Danigma (race 9)