Peace in our time is the cry
TAKINGTHEPEACE HAS A CHANCE TO BECOME THE THIRD TRIPLE TIARA WINNER Woodruff , Tarry runners and stablemate look the main challengers.
There are nine feature races on Champions Day at Turffontein tomorrow but expect the uproar to come in the R1million Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2450m.
This Grade 2 race is the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and Takingthepeace is in line to become only the third filly to pick up the R1-million bonus that goes with winning all of the Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Grade 2), the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic and the Oaks (Grade 2). The other two were Igugu in 2011 and Cherry On The Top in 2013.
This filly epitomises what the dream of racing is all about. First-time owners Mike Shea and Murray Makepeace decided they wanted a share in a racehorse and bought into this three-year-old daughter of Visionaire. Trainer Mike de Kock also took a share in the horse and it soon became apparent they had bought into a decent filly.
When she won the Gauteng Fillies Guineas Shea and Makepeace celebrated in a manner which made one think they had struck gold in the Klondike. When she won the SA Fillies Classic they got even more excited – if that was possible.
The key to this race is whether Takingthepeace will see out 2450m. “When she ran over 1600m we weren’t sure she would stay that distance and she won. Last time in the Classic we weren’t sure she would stay 1800m and she did,” said Makepeace.
De Kock does not believe she will stay 2450m but with one caveat. “The way she accelerates counts in her favour but the question is will she have enough left to do it over 2450m. Sometimes you can get away with it.”
One person who believes she will see it out is jockey Callan Murray. “She is very relaxed early on and runs on well at the end. She also has a lot of guts.”
Whatever happens all of the owners agree on one thing. “We’ve had a very good time with her,” said De Kock.
There are a number of dangers and topping the list could be Secret Potion for the Geoff Woodruff yard. She finished third in the Fillies Classic last time and has already won over 2000m.
“Her work is good and so was her last run,” said assistant trainer Tim Woodruff. “She is fit and well and we’re holding thumbs.”
One runner who looks to have a touch of class is Chariot Of Gold, who won the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m. She won her maiden flying from the back of the field and led almost all the way to win the Oaks Trial so she is versatile. “She will stay, she is very well and I think she has a good Eachway chance,” said trainer Sean Tarry.
Silver Thursday was the De Kock horse tipped to win this race prior to the Fillies Guineas but after a good second in that race she was very disappointing in the Classic. “If you can look past her last race where she was a little flat, then she must have a chance,” said De Kock. “She’s bounced back very well with her work in the morning and I do believe she will stay.”