Five-times Champion Trainer Sean Tarry can never be downplayed and just when some were beginning to do so in his first season without his wealthy and loyal patron Chris van Niekerk he bounced back with a fine return at the Guineas meeting.
He suddenly has a strong hand for Classic day on March 5 at Turffontein Standside.
He said about Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (GFG) winner Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade), “She has come through the win well enough. She was the champion two-year-old and was always highly thought of and I was bullish after her Three Troikas run – she had begun losing concentration so we put the blinkers on and she ran third in that race giving away 3kg.”
He continued, “She did travel a bit too well in the GFG but I don’t think it was the blinkers because she had relaxed so nicely in the 1400m race. It was her first time with Richard and I think it was more just being mouthy than pulling otherwise she would not have run home as well as she did.”
She should relish the step up to 1800m, being by Duke Of Marmalade out of a half-sister to Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter.
She has drawn four out of eleven in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
The Gauteng Guineas runner up Pyromaniac (Silvano) has drawn six out of 12 for the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic.
He started 25/1 in the former race but his good run was no surprise to Tarry, who explained, “You are never surprised by a horse who has disappointed, rather it is nice to see him deliver what you had always expected of him.”
On pedigree alone he should relish the 1800m trip being by Silvano out of the SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, although Tarry did point out he did not look like a staying type, not being a lengthy, rangy type.
He added, “He did run on well in the Guineas though.”
Tarry also runs Platinum Sky (Silvano) in the SA Classic and said, “We have always rated him highly but he is immature and we didn’t want to rush him so we have given him the right prep with a nice big gap into this race. He is improving in the manner of a typical Silvano but is a completely different type to Pyromaniac and this race might still come too soon. But on a line through Aragosta (Rafeef) he has six lengths to find on Safe Passage and I think he will get closer than that.”
Evergreen Chimichuri Run (Trippi) has become an exciting contender for open events up to a mile, although Tarry pointed out he had always been good around the turn.
He said, “One of his best runs as a three-year-old was second to One World over 1600m in the Grade 2 Concorde Cup and he finished third to Rainbow Bridge in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge last year.
But he just showed such fantastic sprint form we kept him to it and even at Scottsville last year he could have just about won with a clear run. But it is clear now that over 1000m he has lost a lot of speed so we have been forced to go over ground. Raymond (Danielson) thought he was going to win easily last time but he just lost momentum over the last 50m (dead-heated with Invidia, a length clear of the third in the 1400m contest). But that had nothing to do with stamina, his dam won the SA Fillies Classic. He has not had much much mileage beyond sprints and we are going to take our chances in all of the big mile events.”
Chimichuri has drawn 8 out of 18 in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes on Classic day and should be a big runner.
Cirillo (Pomodoro) has drawn pole in the Hawaii.
Tarry said, “He hasn’t lost condition since the Met and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a good race but it will bring him on for the Horse Chestnut.”
Tarry also has Ikigai (Vercingetorix) and Warrior’s Rest (What A Winter) entered but said, “I don’t think I will run Ikigai from that draw unless it cuts up. Warrior’s Rest has been doing well after his wind op and we’ve always known he has ability over more ground. The Hawaii would have been a lovely race to see him stretch them out but it might not work from that draw?”
He has Shango (Captain Of All) and Black Thorn (Pomodoro) entered in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m.
However, he is likely to aim Shango at either the Listed Drum Star over 1800m or the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m.
He said, “Shango is not a Turffontein Inside track horse, he doesn’t get going (he was beaten nine lengths by Reunion on Saturday over 1800m)”
He said about Black Thorn, “We were mindful that his last run was a prep for this race and he only got going when the race was over as he is the sort of horse you can’t bustle early. It was disappointing but was still a very nice prep and should put him on song for the Aquanaut although he is 1,5kg under sufferance.”
Meanwhile, WSB Summer Cup winner Flying Carpet (Judpot) is perfectly merit rated for the Hollywoodbets Durban July at present on 116.
Tarry said, “You can’t stand around watching Grade 1s from the sidelines. The Champions Challenge might end up being a small field and getting close to the winner shouldn’t necessarily bring with it a merit rated raise, because the winner often wins within himself not running to his merit rating. But I am not sure the handicappers are ever going to apply that level of logic … horses are somehow raised every time.”
Tarry will rely on something to emerge from his youngsters and lightly raced four-year-olds for other July candidates.
Litigation (Greys Inn) fits the bill after an eye-catching win in the Egoli Mile on Saturday. He is a rangy type and should stay further.
Picture: RAIN IN HOLLAND (JC Photos).