| When you enter
your horse in a modest Class One handicap at the provincials you hardly expect to come up
against a $325,000 yearling purchase. That is the case for runners in the Dunlop Underlay
Class One Handicap at Strathalbyn on Wednesday, however, where they will line up against
the Tony McEvoy trained Sapristi (NZ), a graduate of the New Zealand Premier Yearling
Sale. This blue-blooded filly is by the mighty Zabeel
from Castel Cheline (USA) and is therefore a full sister to the dual Oaks winning filly
Zacheline. A maiden after just two starts, Sapristi (NZ) has some work ahead of her to
recoup her purchase price and it will perhaps be her residual value as a broodmare upon
which she hangs her hat.
One of five maidens in the ten horse field trainer Tony
McEvoy opted for the 1600 metre journey rather than run his filly in the three year old
maiden event over 1350 metres. Zabeel’s stock have a preference for longer distances
and presumably this filly is no different and will be looking to improve upon her last
start fifth behind Vignor (beaten 3 lengths) over 1411 metres at Balaklava. She will carry
52-½ kilo’s and be partnered by Simon Price.
Stable-mate Shackleton (by Jeune) has mirrored Sapristi,
coming out of the same race at Balaklava where he was beaten by 5.4 lengths. On this
occasion he meets his counterpart a kilo better at the weights (drops from 55 to 54) and
has the services of in-form hoop Joe Bowditch.
Another to come through the Balaklava form, and another
maiden, is the Daniel Clarken trained Cielo Laha. The Clarken stable has had it’s
share of success in recent weeks with Demondo and Pekoe representing their trainer in the
winner’s circle.
It might well be top weight El Entrador that Sapristi will
have to beat to break her maiden status. A former New South Wales galloper, El Entrador by
El Moxie, was an impressive 2-¼-length winner of his maiden at Gawler last week. Although
his weight of 56-½ kilo’s is half a kilo less than the standard set weight of his
maiden victory, it could well be the query when compared to that of his competitors.
Of the others the John Lett’s trained Engraver
appeals. His last start third in a Balaklava class three 1611m behind dead heater’s
Lawful Poker and (city winner) Boogie Knight should hold him in good stead for this. His
form, albeit beaten 4 ¾ lengths, has since been franked with Lawful Poker running second
to Questamatic at Cheltenham last weekend.
On a Lighter Note
Racing your own horse is a lot of fun, but can be a
nerve-wracking experience. You quickly realise precisely how difficult it is to win a
race, let alone two.
My own horse is engaged in this event and so it was that
after nominations last Monday I spent a fretful week praying, in vain I might add, that
Tony McEvoy would accept with Sapristi in the maiden event.
Bonnie Wee Charlie, a home bred and terribly named
commodity has several alias including Bonnie Wee Cat, Bonnie Wee Slow Slow and Bonnie Wee
Meow Meow (Greg Irvine’s own). These alias in no way reflect the affection we hold
for the horse but it is sufficient to say we would rather not be racing against
Zacheline’s baby sister.
Charlie is on his way toward his ideal distance (2000m) but
trainer Val Clark expects him to acquit himself well in any case! Fingers crossed. |
