By Mark van Deventer
FATAL FLAW received a masterful ride from Piere Strydom to win the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas Gr 1 run over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The 3YO filly is by New Predator (Aus) out of the Rock of Gibraltar mare Alinga. She is conditioned by the newly constituted, father/son training partnership of Brett and James Crawford, who claimed a Gr 1 straight off the bat.
James thought it made sense to raid as in his opinion the Joburg form amongst the 3YO fillies is stronger than the standard set by the current Cape crop. “It was worth taking a shot,” he could say proudly afterwards – with justification.
FATAL FLAW had run with distinction in Gauteng and KZN, tangling with proven class horses, Quid Pro Quo and World of Alice. Draw 13 was an obvious hindrance but that was reduced to a minor blip by Strydom. He expertly and gradually slid her across, before dictating terms around the bend, and then quickened away decisively in the straight.
From that point the 33/10 chance never looked in danger of defeat – only a spirited late dart by 40/1, Horizon filly, SCARLET MACAW propelled her to within two lengths of a dominant, FATAL FLAW.
LITTLE SUZIE (by Trippi) and SYMPHONY IN WHITE (by What a Winter) rounded out the order of finish about four lengths in arrears. Fancied, GIMMIE’S COUNTESS was next, beaten 4.5 lengths, appearing not to last home after trying to make up ground from far back.
ORIENTAL CHARM went from start to finish in a glacier slow, World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes (WFA, Gr 2) over 1600m. ROYAL AUSSIE, punted into 2/1, tried hard to close but was hanging and could not catch the victor, who was gifted a soft lead in a short field devoid of pace.
That meant ORIENTAL CHARM had energy in reserve and he duly stayed on strongly in his first run back after Hollywoodbets Durban July heroics 154 days ago. He will again be a major factor in upcoming Gr 1 races during the Summer.
SUGAR MOUNTAIN kept on against the outside rail to secure third place 1.75 lengths back. Favoured, GREEN WITH ENVY moved up in mid-stretch, before dropping out suddenly to the rear. Something was clearly amiss with the misfiring, Gimmethegreenlight gelding.
ASIYE PHAMBILI (by What a Winter) proved much the best in the World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes (Fillies and Mares, WFA, Gr 3) over 1000m. She went into the race with a significant edge under the weight terms and justified short odds of 7/10.
“She was too good – I just gave her one smack and she won easily,” said Richard Fourie. He had to track 50/1 rank outsider, CANDY TOWN, the lone speed horse who built up a big lead, before surging past 50m from the line.
SUMMER LILY progressed from the rear to edge out MISS WORLD for third.
HOLDING THUMBS outstayed LOVE IS A ROSE in the WSB Cape Summer Stayers Handicap, a listed event over 2500m. The son of Vercingetorix was ridden to the lead a long way out and showed endurance to thwart the gutsy runner up in a tight finish. Sean Veale was the successful jock, who felt that the addition of blinkers would have seen HOLDING THUMBS win more authoritatively.
