Nominations for Champions Day
Siren’s Call is among the entries for the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2 450m at Turffontein on Saturday April 25.
Siren’s Call is among the entries for the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2 450m at Turffontein on Saturday April 25 in her quest to become the third filly to claim the R1-million bonus on offer in the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.
There are five Grade 1 races on Champions Day. The others are the R2-million President’s Champions Challenge over 2 000m, the R2-million SA Derby over 2 450m, the R1-million Computaform Sprint over 1 000m and the R1-million SA Nursery over 1 160m Igugu in 2011.
Cherry On the Top in 2013 won the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the SA Fillies Classic and the Oaks to win the Triple Tiara, and Sean Tarry’s charge is just one Oaks away from following in their footsteps.
However, she might have to beat Mike de Kock’s much-vaunted filly Majmu.
The Grade 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas winner has accepted to race in Saturday’s Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes, and obviously after that a decision will be made on her next move. Majmu has also been nominated to run in the President’s Champions Challenge and the Gerald Rosenberg Stakes from Tarry’s point of view, he might feel comfortable against the balance of the entries, most of whom Siren’s Call has beaten in the Fillies Guineas and Fillies Classic.
The Derby could be the contest of the day if all the runners accept. They are headed by SA Classic first, second and third placed French Navy, Amsterdam and Deputy Jud, and include the horse that started as hot favourite for the race, Ertijaal from the De Kock yard. There are some other useful prospects, including Derby Trial winner Legal Eagle, Cool Chardonnay, Rampant Ice and Shea Devon.
This year the Computaform Sprint could go to a filly, as both Carry On Alice and Alboran Sea look the runners to beat. However, last year’s winner, Copper Parade, Trip Tease, Willow Magic and Dollar Dazzler are also among the nominations.
Supplementary entries close on Monday April 13 with the final declarations on Wednesday April 15. The barrier draw will take place on Wednesday April 15 at Turffontein Racecourse.
