After winning the Lady’s Pendant last Friday as MySport24 predicted, trainer Justin Snaith again looks hard to oppose in the main race at Arlington in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
He has Albert Mooney and Ottimo in the Ibhayi Stakes for three-year-olds over 1 400m – race seven on the card.
Mooney, with Piere Strydom in the saddle, is the first choice. His stablemate (Ottimo) could be the biggest danger although Way Clear (Alan Greeff) could also be a factor.
Lord Jonathan and Double Nelson are others to keep an eye on but the Snaith coupling would be a popular banker in the Pick 6.
The renewal of the Eastern Cape Sophomore Challenge, a series of three races for three-year-old horses, starts with the Ibhayi Stakes.
Phumelela has set aside R850 000 – the total stake money of R600 000 and a bonus of R250 000 should a horse win all three races. It is unlikely that one horse will win all three races.
The second leg is the R125 000 East Cape Guineas (Listed) over 1 600m at Fairview in PE on April 5, and the final leg is the R350 000 East Cape Derby (Grade 3), powered by Recall Security, over 2 400m at Fairview on May 12.
Horses that participate in the first and second legs will be given free entry and acceptance to run in the third leg. There will be no consolation bonus paid in this series.
If won, the Challenge bonus of R250 000 will be shared between the connections of the successful horse on the following basis: owner – 75%, trainer – 10%, jockey – 7.5%, breeder – 7%, groom – 0.5%.
Should there be more than one owner, trainer, jockey or groom associated with the horse over the period of the Challenge, the bonus will be shared proportionately.
Should a horse win all three races, a prestigious trophy will be given to the owner in further recognition of this magnificent achievement. Miniatures will also be presented to the successful trainer, jockey and breeder.
Ibhayi Stakes – Recent Winners
2012: Blaze of Fire
2011: Fragrant Al
2010: All Ablaze
Get Henk Steenkamp’s tips for Friday’s Arlington race meeting here.
