Jack Milner
Horses for courses is an axiom often use in the world of horseracing because so many horses do have their preferences and run better at one particular track.
Occasionally, though, one finds a horse who is equally at home on any track, as long as the distance is right. That is the case with four-year-old filly Emerald Princess who uncannily won three successive races and finished a close-up second on four different tracks, two over 1450m and a couple over 1400m.
She started with an unlucky 0.30-length second behind JP Two Thousand over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track. She suffered interference in the closing stage and lodged an objection which was overruled.
The four-year-old daughter of Gimmethegreenlight then went on to beat Toto’s Dream over 1450m on the Vaal Classic track, followed by a 0.40-length victory over Special Variety in a 1400m race on the Turffontein Standside track.
In her next start, she was taken down to Hollywoodbets Scottsville in KwaZulu-Natal where she went on to beat Chelsea Flower by 1.90 lengths, again over 1400m.
A few days after that victory champion trainer Paul Peter relinquished his trainer’s licence and Emerald Princess relocated to Sean Tarry’s yard.
She has had one run for her new stable in which she ran an encouraging 2.20 lengths behind Golden Aspen over 1200m.
On Tuesday, however, Emerald Princess reverts to 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track when she lines up in Race 7, a MR 94 Handicap for fillies and mares.
This is a very competitive event and Emerald Princess has unfortunately landed the widest draw in this 11-horse field but Tarry has pulled out a secret weapon in the form of jockey Muzi Yeni, who rode her in all four of her previous races and clearly has built up a good rapport with the filly.
While she is not short of talented opposition, the runner who might provide the biggest threat is Rosenwind from the Ashley Fortune yard. This Flower Alley filly has raced four times for three wins and a third place behind What A Honey. That race followed an 11-month layoff, so she clearly needed the run, but in her next start she was fitted with blinkers and easily beat Aga Heat by two lengths.
Rosenwind goes 1450m for the first time but on breeding that should not hold too many fears for her connections and jockey Ryan Munger.
Others to include in exotic bets are Princess Philippa and Midnight Gem.
Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, is sure to attract a lot of interest as it sees the first run of Celestial City.
The four-year-old Silvano colt is a full-brother to Hawwaam and a half-brother to Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat. He was knocked down to Summerhill Stud owner Henning Pretorius for R7 million at the 2020 National Yearling Sales.
Unfortunately, he suffered an undisclosed setback and after a spell with Peter Muscutt in KwaZulu-Natal, Celestial City was transferred to Sean Tarry’s Randjesfontein yard.
Now a four-year-old, it will be interesting to see how he will perform. In the ComputaForm for the meeting, Tarry commented: “May need the experience and should run well.”
Calvin Habib takes the ride.
Jack Miner’s selections
Race 1: 10 Wind Water, 1 Covert Operator, 3 Fort Apache, 4 Last Survivor
Race 2: 8 Silver Mensa, 5 Heart Of Eternity, 4 Heart And Mind, 2 Regina Bellissima
Race 3: 7 Trois Trois Quatre, 2 Celestial City, 3 Stepping Out, 4 Top Sail
Race 4: 1 Brazilian Storm, 9 United Council, 2 Rosslyne, 3 On The Guest List
Race 5: 1 Platinum Sky, 3 Total Protection, 7 Simple Simple, 5 Mo Jive
Race 6: 4 Indus Knight, 10 Sylvan Theater, 2 Fast Love, 5 Castle Corner
Race 7: 4 Emerald Princess, 6 Rosenwind, 9 Princess Philippa, 2 Midnight Gem
Race 8: 6 Tulip Tree, 4 Asiye Phambili, 1 Call The Wind, 7 Just Be Nice
BEST BET
Race 1 No 10 Wind Water
VALUE BET
Race7 No 4 Emerald Princess
BEST SWINGER
Race 5 1x3
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 10
Leg 2: 5, 8
Leg 3: 2, 3, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 9
Leg 5: 1, 3
Leg 6: 2, 4, 5, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R243
Leg 1: 8
Leg 2: 2, 3, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 9
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2, 4, 10
Leg 6: 4, 6, 9
Leg 7: 1, 4, 6
PICK 6
R1728
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 7
Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 10
Leg 5: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 6: 1, 4, 6
JACKPOT 1
R144
Leg 1: 1, 2, 9
Leg 2: 1, 3, 7
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 10
Leg 4: 2, 4, 6, 9
JACKPOT 2
R144
Leg 1: 1, 3, 7
Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 10
Leg 3: 2, 4, 6, 9
Leg 4: 1, 4, 6