Win would be cherry on the top for Mrs O
BRIDGET Oppenheimer’s filly Cherry On The Top will be the big drawcard at Turffontein this evening, in the first night meeting of the season.
Voted 2012-13 Equus champion three-year-old filly and winner of the Triple Tiara, Cherry On The Top has been rested since running fourth in the Woolavington Stakes at Greyville in June.
Trainer Ormond Ferraris has nominated the daughter of Tiger Ridge for next month’s Sansui Summer Cup, so the four-year-old is unlikely to be at peak fitness for tonight’s contest. Even so, she could well run into the placings from a favourable draw.
With Cherry On The Top’s regular rider, Nooresh Juglall, in Mauritius, Ferraris has called on Sherman Brown. He was successful on her in the Fillies Mile at Turffontein last December.
Another interesting jockey engagement is Piere Strydom’s booking for Corné Spies’s colt War Horse. The four-year-old failed to shape in the Emerald Cup, but could resume winning ways reverting to the turf. Unlike many of his rivals, War Horse will strip a fit horse as this will be his third outing after a break. The distance of 1,400m could also be his optimum trip.
Whiteline Fever, sixth behind stablemate Heavy Metal in the Vodacom Durban July, is in the same category as Cherry On The Top. Sean Tarry’s gelding was last in action in the Champions Cup at Greyville at the end of July. He carries the same weight as Derby winner Wylie Hall, who should find this 1,400m too short.
A runner worth including in jackpot and Pick 6 perms is trainer Coenie de Beer’s five-year-old, Depardieu. His exclusion from the Emerald Cup caused a controversy, but he missed that race and has subsequently finished unplaced behind Potala Palace.
Mike de Kock is in the UK for Soft Falling Rain’s challenge in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He will be keen to learn how Capricorn Ridge has fared at Turffontein, as the fouryear-old is unbeaten after wins at Scottsville and Turffontein.
Uncle Tommy has recouped a third of his R2.4m purchase price and has a wide draw to overcome tonight. He returns to the turf after three outings on sand and could prove a threat if young Wesley Marwing can overcome the poor barrier position.
De Kock’s Australian-bred three-year-old Umgiyo is an interesting contender in the sixth race. The son of Danehill Dancer could be a classic prospect and his performance will be scrutinised. The same applies to Alec Laird’s onetime winner Chekilli, who has not been seen out since a successful debut at the Vaal in April.
Trainer Leon Erasmus has four runners in this 1,160m sprint. It is a surprise that Sherman Brown rides Tiger Territory rather than the speedy Jimmi Chou. The latter has run three times this term so may have the edge in fitness over rivals.