Smangaliso (SAF) returned to form to land a 33/1 upset in the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m at Turffontein on Sunday, just edging out Valley Of Rubies (SAF) in a frenetic finish with Catherina Lady (SAF) and Copper Jet (SAF) not far behind in the minor placings.
Catherina Lady showed good pace along the inside as she led weak favourite Lisa Anne with Bellotto Flash also prominent and Picadilly Miss showing the way up the centre. Mannequin was also right there with Kesha as Smangaliso raced a length or two off them. Valley Of Rubies was further back as was Copper Jet, who raced on the stands side.
It was somewhat chaotic as the field entered the last furlong with several runners in contention and spread across the track. Catherina Lady was still in front on the inside rails with Valley Of Rubies moving into contention. Smangaliso was now in the leading line as well and Copper Jet was running on nicely.
Catherina Lady held on desperately up front but she was now under serious pressure. Valley Of Rubies looked like getting up but Smangaliso was finishing the strongest of all and she stuck her neck out in a pulsating finish to land the death blow for many a Pick 6 punter.
Smangaliso was returning to the scene of her biggest triumph, having won the Ready To Run Cup for trainer Mike Miller at this track (also at longish odds) back in 2008. She has been somewhat disappointing since then and current trainer Spike Lerena will be delighted to have her back in this type of form.
3-year-old Valley Of Rubies has been running against some of the best of her age group without disgracing herself and it was not really a surprise to see her go close here while Catherina Lady ran a very respectable race at the weights as she was conceding plenty to the two that beat her.
Copper Jet also emerged with plenty of credit, beaten by only a length. The 6-year-old is a battle-hardened veteran in these sort of races and her connections will be pleased to see that she still maintains her ability despite now having 57 starts under her belt.
Smangaliso is a 4-y-o filly by Kahal (GB) out of Amusing (SAF) by Liloy (FR). She is owned by Mr and Mrs V Soru and was bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.
Winning trainer: Spike Lerena
Race 8 - R165K - SYCAMORE SPRINT (Grade 3)
Fillies and Mares - 1160m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
Prev |
| 11 |
SMANGALISO |
Brett Smith |
A |
52.0 |
13 |
1 |
0.00 |
68.20 |
25/1 |
33/1 |
GE490 |
| 10 |
VALLEY OF RUBIES |
Guillermo Figueroa |
A |
52.5 |
11 |
2 |
0.10 |
68.22 |
12/1 |
12/1 |
TN742 |
| 3 |
CATHERINA LADY |
Sherman Brown |
A |
57.5 |
2 |
3 |
0.50 |
68.29 |
5/1 |
4/1 |
TN742 |
| 12 |
COPPER JET |
Randall Simons |
A |
52.0 |
14 |
4 |
1.00 |
68.38 |
16/1 |
20/1 |
VR849 |
| 2 |
PICADILLY MISS |
S'Manga Khumalo |
A |
59.0 |
12 |
5 |
1.25 |
68.42 |
7/1 |
8/1 |
TN814 |
| 13 |
MANNEQUIN |
Juan Paul V'D Merwe *1.5 |
A |
52.0 |
8 |
6 |
1.30 |
68.43 |
7/1 |
10/1 |
TN812 |
| 7 |
BELLOTTO FLASH (AUS) |
Deon Sampson |
A B |
54.0 |
7 |
7 |
1.50 |
68.47 |
25/1 |
10/1 |
VR782 |
| 5 |
LISA ANNE |
Derreck David |
A |
56.0 |
1 |
8 |
4.00 |
68.92 |
5/1 |
9/2F |
TN829 |
| 1 |
MITRA |
M J Odendaal |
A |
60.0 |
6 |
9 |
4.25 |
68.97 |
12/1 |
10/1 |
TN744 |
| 14 |
KESHA |
Corne Orffer |
A B |
52.0 |
5 |
10 |
6.50 |
69.39 |
25/1 |
28/1 |
VR849 |
| 4 |
ESTEREL |
Francois Naude |
A |
57.5 |
15 |
11 |
8.00 |
69.66 |
5/1 |
5/1 |
VR774 |
| 8 |
WORLDWISE |
Marco V'Rensburg |
A B |
53.0 |
4 |
12 |
8.10 |
69.68 |
25/1 |
25/1 |
TN813 |
| 15 |
TAMARA'S STAR |
Evert Pheiffer *2.5 |
A |
52.0 |
10 |
13 |
9.00 |
69.85 |
50/1 |
50/1 |
VR879 |
| 16 |
QUEEN DAGMAR |
Francois Herholdt |
A C |
52.0 |
9 |
14 |
9.50 |
69.95 |
100/1 |
100/1 |
TN809 |
| 6 |
KISS FOR KATE |
Marthinus Mienie |
A |
55.5 |
3 |
15 |
18.00 |
71.59 |
14/1 |
14/1 |
VR822 |
| 9 |
PAGAN DANCE |
Scratched |
TN466 |
| 17 |
PURPLE LAKE |
Scratched |
CD560 |
|
