Tarry talks Triple Tiara
TIARA: TARRY-TRAINED FILLY THE BEST HANDICAPPED RUNNER IN GRADE 1 SA OAKS
Derby distance will also suit French Navy.
Most experts are of the opinion Siren’s Call can follow in the footsteps of Igugu and Cherry On The Top in 2011 and 2013 respectively and win the Triple Tiara when the final leg, the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, is run at Turffontein on Saturday.
Her 6-10 odds with Betting World confirm the general opinion, although the man who knows her best, trainer Sean Tarry, is conservative in his optimism. “From the outset we were quite ambitious in saying this is a filly who would suit a series like this. But from her very first 1200m race she has suggested she wants more ground and she is by a sire who won the SA Derby, Elusive Fort. That gives us confidence that she will get the 2450m.
“In her wins in the first two legs, the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the SA Fillies Classic, she was only made to work really hard in the last 200 to 300m and she finished both off really well, looking like there was a bit more in the tank. She’s taken the races well and is not a tired filly.”
He also pointed out that at level weights she is the best-handicapped filly on merit ratings and the only horse who is not 5kg or more under sufferance is Pine Princess, who would receive 3.5kg from Siren’s Call in a handicap.
Siren’s Call is drawn widest of all at No 12 but Tarry is unconcerned. “There’s a fair chance we’ll ride her conservatively again - I don’t think it’s an issue.”
Tarry has a second string to his bow in Epsom Downs. She is not as exposed as her stablemate, having only run four times but she won the Oaks Trial over 2000m, zooming from last to beat Withbatedbreath by a long head. “She stays well but she’s way out at the weights and my gut instinct was not to run her. But the programme is limited for a filly like her and you only get one shot at the Oaks.
“She’s in the race and having a go! The best horse must win.”
Tarry’s runner French Navy won the SA Classic last month and is the best-weighted runner in the SA Derby over 2450m. However, French Navy is the second choice at 4-1 behind 13-10 favourite Ertijaal, who was disappointing in the SA Classic but who has been targeting this race.
Tarry agrees that was not a true reflection of Ertijaal’s ability and believes the Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m on the inside track is the line of form punters should rely on. That race was won by Ertijaal from Deputy Jud ( got 2kg) with French Navy beaten 2.50 lengths into fourth.
That is the bare form. There are good reasons why he believes French Navy will be a more formidable foe this time. One is that the Count Dubois gelding is better on the standside track. He was also drawn No 13 out of 14 that day and “at no stage could Raymond Danielson consider placing him. We had to take our medicine and come from last. At the 800m mark he was nearly 10 lengths behind, at the 400m pole, nearly seven - he flew. In every race he’s done his best work late, which suggests he will have no trouble with the distance.
“Plus everything has gone really well in his preparation.”
Tarry has another runner in the SA Derby, Legal Eagle, who he believes “deserves a chance” after scoring a good win in the Derby Trial over 2000m this month. “That was a handicap and he carried only 52kg, plus he beat a stable companion who is not Derby quality, but I don’t know how many gears he had left and he’ll enjoy the ground. He’s had a perfect run into the Derby and must take his chances.”
Tarry fields two talented runners in the President’s Champions Challenge as well and, while he believes “we’ll all have to raise our game to beat Majmu, it’s not a one or two-horse race - it’s a really strong field and it wouldn’t shock me to see either of my horses run thereabouts. Both have had very good preps.
“If everything goes really well for Heavy Metal he’ll give them a bit of a fright. We’ll know very quickly. If he relaxes early, he’ll run on nicely. Halve The Deficit is more versatile, has drawn beautifully and has Anton Marcus on."