Beating Wings claimed victory in the R175,000 Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, with Frances Ethel finishing a close second, regathering herself and flying at the finish. The race was a preview for the prestigious R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup, which attracted 42 early entries, including nine runners from Saturday's event.

Stuart Pettigrew’s Beating Wings made a strong seasonal debut under Diego de Gouveia last seen out on Gold Cup Day  when 5th to Red Palace in the Gold Bracelet. Positioned well behind the early leader, River Romeo, she took control midway through the race to secure a comfortable win but received 2kgs from the flying Team Valor horse filly, Frances Ethel. 

Benefiting from this favorable weight, Beating Wings (8-1) held off Frances Ethel (opened 7/2 favourite and drifted to 6-1) by diminishing three-quarters of a length, clocking a winning time of 98.56 seconds. 

Frances Ethel's strong finish suggests she will become a key player in the Summer Cup, with the added boost of three times British jockey Oisin Murphy set to ride her. Meanwhile, Calvin Habib guided Atticus Finch (7-2) to a third-place finish, followed by Silver Sanctuary (4-1) in fourth, completing a near-sweep for the fillies in the top spots.

Among the other Summer Cup hopefuls, most were having their first run of the season and by and large failed to fire. Safe Passage finished 2.80 lengths behind, while the former Smeer Cup winner  Puerto Manzano, the only horse not making a seasonal debut, trailed by 7.50 lengths. Litigation (former Gr3 Victory Moon winner), Future Pearl, and Winchester Mansion (2023 Durban July winner) followed further back, with the latter finishing 19 lengths off the pace and never posing a threat. His run was a tad concerning. 

The Summer Cup picture is much clearer after this first prep, the equivalent of a Grade 1 type class of race, with the biggest takeout being Frances Ethel - laying further claim as the best filly in the land. After shortening in the Summer Cup betting from 10/1 to 6/1, now second favourite, will she be able to win it all? 

Image: Team Valor