Paris Lass speeds to a cosy pillar to post victory under Calvin Habib (Pauline Herman Photography).
A mid-meeting switch to the polytrack surface played into the hands of the Gavin Smith-trained three-year-old Lammerskraal Stud-bred filly Paris Lass.
Smith and arch rival Alan Greeff monopolised the neeting with five winners and three winners respectively , which leaves Greeff on 116 wins and Smith on 112 in the race for the East cape Trainers title.
Calvin Habib was aboard the quick Paris Lass today in The Listed Milkwood Stakes over 1000m, a weight for age plus penalties event for fillies and mares.
A front-running 1000m horse who steps up in class is often in danger of being swamped late by the opposition.
However, two things were in Paris Lass’ favour today.
Firstly, she is at her best on the poly.
Secondly, Muzi Yeni, when winning on her last time from the front, spoke about a previous win on her when he had had to go hard to get the better of another front-runner in an early duel, and yet she still quickened off it to win by over five lengths.
So when she broke well today and had a clear lead by the first turn, her supporters would have been confident.
She duly stayed on superbly to defy the weights and her 14/1 price.
She was officially 6,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse and 5/4 favourite Three Rocks.
The latter stayed on well to finish a 0,75 length second.
Under the conditions of the race Three Rocks had to give Paris Lass 1kg.
The pair have met four times and they each have two wins, although Three Rocks did give Paris Lass 5,5kg and a 1,50 length beating the last time they met over this trip on turf, so the switch to poly was unfortunate for Three Rocks.
In the non-Black Type Fairview 1400, the original favourite Cherry Ano did not enjoy the poly as opposed to the Alan Greeff-trained Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Soft Falling Rain gelding Inherit The Rain, who loved it.
The six-year-old has a fine record on the poly and was backed into 33/10.
He prevailed by half-a-length under Richard Fourie.
Brendan James was second at 6/1 odds.
Former Highveld-based six-year-old gelding Funky Music made a fine debut in the East Cape, finishing a 0,60 length third.
