Jack Milner
There is always massive attention paid to the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic for a number of reasons. Primarily it is the only Grade 1 event exclusively for three-year-old fillies on the Highveld and it is the pivotal leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Tiple Tiara.
Only one runner is alive to claim the R1-million bonus that goes with victories in the Wilgerbosdrift-sponsored Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Fillies Classic and SA Oaks and that is Lady Of Power.
Jockey Piere Strydom was very confident this filly would be even better over 1800m but a change in circumstances may have thrown a spanner in the works.
A change in some of the owners also resulted in a change of stable and within a few days of her Guineas win, she moved to Mike and Adam Azzie.
Being moved to a new venue can be quite disruptive for the Master Of My Fate filly but Mike Azzie seems to feel she has settled in well.
“She’s doing nicely,” he said. “When you watch her gallop, she’s not a horse that blows you away, but she looks exceptional, her blood count is good and she has a beautiful long stride.
“We went easy on her when she came to the stable because she had just come off a hard race, and then in the second week we had rain the whole week so she had two weeks without work.
“But in the week it rained we were lucky to get her on the treadmill. We didn’t want to overdo it, but we did canter her.”
While the draw is a concern, Azzie feels it is not unsurmountable. “We do have the wide draw (No 12) to contend with. But the way she strides, I think she’s good enough to win.”
Nevertheless, the race is open and perhaps Lucky Houdalakis-trained None Other is the main threat. She has won over 1800m, is well drawn at No 5, and ran a great 0.50-length second behind Billy Bowlegs in the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes.
After her fast-finishing second in the Fillies Guineas Feather Boa must be a massive danger. Stuart Pettigrew’s runner is well drawn and has Richard Fourie in the irons.
Other to include are Emirate Gina, Bless My Stars and Reny.