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August and September are usually the quietest months on the South African racing calendar, giving horses, jockeys and trainers a welcome breather before the start of the spring campaign.
Photo by Gold Circle
But racing continues and the main race on Friday's card at Arlington Race Course in Port Elizabeth is the R120 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes (2000m) for fillies and mares.
A field of sixteen runners will face the starter, with We Three, the highest merit rated horse, likely to be the main danger in this weight for age race. We Three has however been clocking up frequent traveller miles. Having recently returned to her home base at Kenilworth in Cape Town after contesting the Durban season, she now finds herself in Port Elizabeth. Although she is the strongest of the three Snaith runners on paper, the travelling might be taking its toll.
The other Snaith runner with a chance is Flighty's Last, who has the services of champion jockey Pierre Strydom. The daughter of Jallad (Aus) has been meeting classier fields and finished a neck behind Croc Valley in the Listed Jamaica Handicap back in January at Kenilworth. Her form has been good, but she bled in her last start and comes of a 93 day rest.
The surprise in the race may come from the six year old Requiem mare Scripture. She won her last start at Arlington on the 12th of August over 1800m, running on well at the finish. The step up in distance should be no problem, as she was a course and distance winner back in January.
Another standout in the race is the consistent General Nediym mare, Generous Anna (AUS). Out of the Anabaa mare Ends Meet(NZ), she won her last start at Arlington, the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes (1600m), but lost the race in the board room to My Kazzie. She is on form and could very well make amends here under M J Byleveld.
Royal Wager and Sammy Jo are both Port Elizabeth based mares, who have a chance of filling the minor places. Royal Wager is having her third run after a rest and has solid form despite a flop in the East Cape Paddock Stakes. Sammy Jo finished fourth in the Paddock Stakes and won the Listed East Cape Oaks for three year old fillies (2000m) in June. She could well cause an upset and the daughter of Dynasty cannot be discounted.
On recent performance Generous Anna seems to be the one to beat, with We Three, Sammy Jo and Scripture all likely to be contesting the finish.