Athena to lead charge, but who’ll follow
By all accounts, War Of Athena is the banker at Turffontein tomorrow.
Having stormed to a convincing victory in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Paul Matchett’s runner faces what seems to be a rather weaker field in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
If she does clinch the 1800m race, she’ll be one step away from the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.
Two fillies who could test her are Lucky Houdalakis-trained Miss Elegance and Sparkling Water from Mike de Kock’s yard.
“She’s fit and well and I’m sure she’ll run well,” said Houdalakis on Wednesday about his runner, who finished third in the Fillies Guineas.
“Looks like War Of Athena has got my number, but we’ll go back and try again. Maybe the extra 200m can help me. All we can do is keep on trying”
War Of Athena does have the advantage of two stable companions to “pave the way” for her, so to speak, just like they did in the Fillies Guineas, where Only The Brave set the pace and Gee for Go provided cover arounds the turn.
“It will be the same as the Guineas. One will make the pace and the other to help her around, whatever,” said Houdalakis.
“Fact is, War Of Athena probably doesn’t need it, but I’m sure they would like an honest pace.
“An honest pace will suit me as well. I’d rather see them go fast than slow. We’ll have to wait and see,” said Houdalakis.
Sparkling Water is somewhat of an unknown, having raced only three times, compared to the rest of the field who have all had between eight and 12 runs each.
She did, however, produce three very good runs, winning her last outing, an FM88 Handicap over 1500m, convincingly.
Her penultimate run, the only time she has been beaten, was over 1800m, so she’s not unfamiliar with the distance. “She is good,” said De Kock. “This might be a bit soon (for her), but it’s a Grade 1 and I need to take my chances.”
But although he also does not expect the filly to win, Paul Peter is expecting a big run from Netta. “She has improved a lot and is much better than her rating. She definitely sees out 1800m and I feel she has a big place chance in this field.”