Shingwedzi to edge out She’s A Pippa in EC Oaks

A CLOSE contest is expected when She’s A Pippa and Shingwedzi go head to head in the East Cape Oaks (Listed) over 2 000m at Fairview tomorrow.

In her last run Shingwedzi, trained by Mike Bass for the Drakenstein Stud, beat She’s A Pippa by a neck over 1 800m. Shingwedzi was full of running when wining her latest and the extra 200m she tries should be in her favour. The daughter of Trippi looks the one to beat.

She’s A Pippa, trained by Justin Snaith for Team Valor International, was only outpaced late. What counts in her favour tomorrow is that she will be carrying the same weight (58kg) as last time, while Shingwedzi is 2kg worse off at 58kg this time.

On paper a thrilling finish is on the cards, with She’s A Pippa’s weight advantage probably holding the key to the outcome.

However, Shingwedzi is preferred to score a narrow win for the second time in a row.

The best of the balance could be Ado Annie and Skysign. Ado Annie, who will have the crack Wayne Agrella in the saddle for the Mitch Wiese stable, is in top form and can even upset the favourites should they not run to their ability.

In her last outing she ran third behind Shingwedzi – 2.75 lengths off the pace. On that occasion she fly-jumped at the start and had no extra at the end. This time Agrella takes over the reins from Warren Kennedy and could prove to make a difference in the closing stages.

Skysign, from the Glen Kotzen yard, will make her Port Elizabeth debut after a win and four places from 11 starts in the Western Cape. In her last race at Durbanville she finished 2.25 lengths behind Global Destiny over 2000m while staying on at the end. Muzi Yeni takes the ride this time from JP van der Merwe.

It will be interesting to see if the course record of 122.17 seconds set by In A Flash on November 16 2007 can be bettered. It is also good to see trainer Barry Steenkamp back in the mix. He saddles Mission House in Race 9. Barend Vlooh takes the ride over 1400m.

Racing starts at 12.10 with a Maiden Plate for all maidens over 1 000m.