Oh Susanna is something special

Gaynor Rupert of Drakenstein Stud bought her USA-bred dam Sharp Susan (Touch Gold) in Australia and Oh Susanna was foaled down in Australia before being flown to South Africa.

“Gaynor sent her to our yard as one of a batch of five young horses and nobody told me anything about her being a foal of Sharp Susan,” said Justin Snaith.

“Two months into training I phoned Kevin Sommerville (the racing manager of Drakenstein) and asked him ‘where did this one come from, because there is something here.’

“I also sent a whatsapp to Gaynor telling her I had a feeling about this horse and she replied saying, yes, she had been hoping she would be something special.

“I then asked Kevin to send me the full pedigree and upon viewing it I could see what the possibilities were.

“One thing I know about Street Cry fillies is that when they are good they are world class and I had a feeling she would be one of those.”

The Met winner only had one run in KZN and is the first of the yard’s Durban string to be back in training at her home training track, Phillippi.

Snaith said, “She didn’t like the light tracks in Durban.

“She enjoys the heavier tracks and has been more relaxed back here in Cape Town. “There were about 1000 horses at Summerveld and there are only 300 here at Phillippi, it’s a lot quieter and calmer environment.”

He said Oh Susanna had grown two inches (5cm) in height since leaving Durban.

“I could not believe it, but she has definitely grown two inches,” Snaith said.

Snaith will soon be sitting down with Gaynor Rupert and Kevin Sommerville to discuss the filly’s plans for the season.