The Glen Kotzen-trained Cheveley Stud-bred Lancaster Bomber filly Rascova won the second Gr 2 of her career when prevailing in a thrilling duel to the line with her fierce rival Double Grand Slam.
Rascova broke well and took up her usual front-running role under Craig Zackey.
Double Grand Slam, who went off at prohibitive 4/10 odds, was half-a-length slow and was caught wide early before settling one out in fifth place.
Rascova was sent for home after free-wheeling to the 400m mark, but Double Grand Slam quickly made up the ground.
However, Rascova had drifted close to the rail, leaving Double Grand Slam with not much more than a horse width to go through.
Rascova kept finding, while Double Grand Slam seemed reluctant to go through the gap.
Rascova ran out a 0,60 length winner and there was then a further 5,20 lengths back to the perenially stakes–placed filly White Pearl.
Celtic Beauty and Sovereign Grant were beaten over seven lengths back in fourth and fifth place,.
Rascova is owned by Sandy and Eugene Arundel’s Itssa IT & Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
Glen Kotzen was thrilled Sandy and Eugene could be on course. They had at the last minute decided to be on course in preference to a planned bushveld trip with family.
It was Rascova’s fourth career win and she now has earnings of R1,138,437.
She has faced Double Grand Slam seven times and the tally is now 4/3 in favour of Rascova.
Double Grand Slam has never beaten Rascova in three meetings over 1600m.
The tally over 1400m is 2 to 1 in favour of Double Grand Slam, with the first of them being a 3,50 length victory to Rascova and the second two being 3,40 length and 5,35 length respective beatings by Double Grand Slam over Rascova.
However, last time out at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes Rascova’s saddle slipped badly, otherwise she would no doubt have got closer.
Double Grand Slam beat Rascova in one meeting over 1200m.
Jonathan Snaith said about Vercingetorix filly Double Grand Slam, “She looked like she may come through to win at one point but didn’t seem to want to go through a tight gap when needed. But what a rivalry the two fillies have! I think the conditions and tailwind very much suited Rascova today and she was given a masterful ride by Craig Zackey.”
He said Double Grand Slam would be targeted at the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m, which is run on Hollywoodbets July day.
