SA Oaks is shorn of leading lady

There’ll be no Three Times a Lady sung after the SA Oaks at Turffontein next month as the Triple Tiara will not have been won.

The title of the Commodores’ 1970s hit is looking forlorn and stale after trainer Mike de Kock’s confirmation that filly Gimme A Nother will contest the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes and not the Grade 2 Oaks on the same day.

The unbeaten youngster had won the first two legs of the Tiara and was vying for the R1 million bonus for completing the hattrick. But after her facile win in the SA Fillies Classic last weekend, De Kock said he might not close the circle in the Oaks.

In addition to its Grade 1 status, the Empress Club’s 1 600m trip was deemed more fitting at this stage of a potential superstar’s career. And importantly, there was a chance to emulate her mother and grandmother – Nother Russia and Mother Russia – in claiming one of South Africa’s most illustrious trophies for female horses.

De Kock said that Gimme A Nother’s stablemate, Silver Sanctuary, would be his yard’s principal contender in the 2 450m Oaks.

The Triple Crown, the threeyear-old companion-piece series, was derailed at the second hurdle on Saturday when Gauteng Guineas victor Sandringham Summit failed to justify market support by following up in the SA Classic.

His owner, Varsfontein Stud, announced that the colt would not participate on Derby Day and would be readied for the coming winter season in KwaZulu-Natal.

Varsfontein’s Susan Rowett said even if he had won the Classic, the connections were planning not to tackle the Triple Crown’s third leg, the 2 450m SA Derby, but the 2 000m Premier’s Champions Challenge on the same card. Again, the shorter trip was thought to be more suitable at this stage.

But perceived failure to see out the Classic’s 1 800m had forced a rethink and even 2 000m was deemed a stretch at present.

De Kock and Rowett’s comments will be a worry for Highveld racing operator 4Racing, which stages the Triples. The much-publicised competitions had become something of a Gauteng sideshow, with coastal stables unwilling to take the risks of an arduous twomonth campaign on the Highveld. Now, even local candidates for the glittery headgear are fighting shy.

Varsfontein outlined Sandringham Summit’s targets in KZN and they are precisely those of fellow ballyhooed three-yearold Joburger Main Defender.

The supposed rivals could meet in the 1 600m KZN Guineas, the 1 600m Gold Challenge and the 1 800m Champions Cup at Greyville.

They have met twice before, with Sandringham Summit winning over 1 600m and Main Defender over 1 400m.