SANTA CAROLINA
Jack Milner: Santa Carolina will be aimed at the Grade 2 KRA Guineas at Greyville next month following her impressive 2.50-length victory in a FM 85 Handicap over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track on Saturday.
Trainer Mike de Kock, back in the country following a successful Dubai campaign, believes the fact that this was her third run after a layoff was probably the main catalyst for her success. Going off at 11-10 and racing in blinkers for the first time, the daughter of Ilha Da Vitoria beat Moggytwoshoes, with Whatalady a short head back in third.
Jockey Anthony Delpech had her just off the pace as Rail’s Run and Pascal Moon led. Once in the straight Mary Slack’s filly switched out and in a matter of strides raced past the leaders and put the result beyond question.
“The blinkers and the fact that it’s her third run after a rest made the difference,” said De Kock. “The ground has firmed up a bit. She’s not like her mother in that regard. She preferred the going soft. She is more like her sister, Ilha Bela.
“But I think the third run after a rest more than anything else has turned things around. She’s a filly that we’ve been battling to get to come to hand. She’s come right now so we’ll have a crack at the Guineas at Greyville with her.”
Commenting on the fact that she seems to be taking a while to reach peak fitness, De Kock added: “Her mother was the same. At three she kept getting beaten, she was really disappointing. She really came into her own at five, so I think it’s just that type of pedigree and we’re hoping for the same with Santa Carolina.”
The trainer also looked at races beyond the Guineas. “I don’t know if she’ll get 2000m, like her mom. She’s by Tiger Ridge, while Ilha Da Vittoria was by Candy Stripes. This one is possibly a little quicker but she should do it. We’ll have to have a go at the Woolavington 2000 after the Guineas, especially if she runs well there, but that will probably be stretching her to the limit.”
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