A stunned crowd at Turffontein watched as the favorites for both the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Gauteng Guineas were turned over in dramatic fashion within 30 minutes of each other. The races, already delayed due to lightning, were run on slightly softer ground—conditions that proved ideal for the underdogs.

Spumante Dolce, owned by Mary Slack in partnership with Bradley Ralphs, took top honors in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, sponsored by Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud Farm. The filly, a half-sister to Durban July champion Sparkling Water, delivered a surprise win from an advantageous draw.

VJ’s Angel ran up to her strong 119 rating and will likely serve as the form marker for this race. Meanwhile, Quid Pro Quo struggled from a deep draw (10), unable to match the better-positioned Spumante Dolce (drawn 2). In a tight finish, the first three fillies crossed the line within half a length of each other. Fiery Pegasus, returning to form, finished a well-beaten fourth, just 1.9 lengths adrift, while Gr2 Fillies Mile winner World Of Alice was disappointing, trailing home more than seven lengths behind. 

Veteran jockey Piere Strydom gave Quid Pro Quo a masterful ride, surging up alongside Raymond Danielson’s mount Spumante Dolce in the straight. However, while Quid Pro Quo was finishing strongly from off the pace, Spumante Dolce found another gear and held on for victory.

In the Gauteng Guineas, the highly regarded Greaterix appeared to have the race in the bag at the 200m mark after a smooth midfield run. However, the doubts about his stamina over a mile proved valid, as he found nothing extra when it mattered most. Instead, Parisian Walkway, rated just 101 and having only a single maiden win from six previous starts, stormed to an unexpected triumph.

The victory was a welcome consolation for trainer Alec Laird, whose stable star Fire Attack was forced to withdraw due to a virus.

Image Parisian Walkway by JC Photos/4Racing