Littlemissmillion makes it three wins in four starts and has plenty of scope for further improvement (JC Photos)
The Tyrone Zackey-trained three-year-old filly Littlemissmillion put her hand up as a Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara contestant today (Thursday) at the Vaal Classic track when winning a 1600m fillies and mares handicap in taking style off a 96 merit rating.
She found a midfield position on the rail from draw three and just loped along until the spur at the 800m mark at which stage the small filly used her big action to get into a more handy position, although she had to switch when the inside path down the rail became blocked.
She surged through a gap to get into contention and then when it appeared she might not get there in time she produced a late burst of speed after Philasande Mxoli had changed whip hands to win easily in the end by half-a-length from the decent 94-rated four-time winner Accept Cookies.
Mxoli confirmed afterwards she had still been green, so there is scope for further improvement.
The Elusive Fort filly was bred by Neil Croft of Croft Stud and Helene Taylor.
Tyrone Zackey’s daughter and son-in-law Nadine Backos and Kevin Backos own her and clinched her off a BSA online Sale for a mere R50,000.
She has now won three out of four starts, with her only defeat being a 3,75 lengths fifth in the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile when returning from a five month layoff.
Mxoli rode her in the Fillies Mile for the first time.
Zackey said the trip today was some way short of her best trip, but added that he had wanted to see how she went today before aiming her at bigger races.
She will be an interesting contender for the The Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic as the tough Turffontein 1800m course and distance should suit her down to the ground.
She is out of the decent four-time wining Kahal mare Brigtnumberfive, whose wins were from 1400m to 1600m but Elusive Fort will give her more stamina and she runs as if she will enjoy further.
It is exciting times for Zackey and the Backos couple.
