THE second leg of the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara respectively, will take place at Turffontein on Saturday, April 2, and as the Mike Azzie-trained Abashiri is fast running himself into the hearts of the nation, it should pull another large and passionate crowd.
The long-striding Abashiri was roared home by the biggest crowd seen at the Grade 2 Betting World Guineas meeting for many-a-year and he should be even better suited to the 1 800m of the second leg of the Triple Crown, the lucrative R2 million Grade 1 SA Classic.
National Champion trainer Sean Tarry becomes more and more dominant with each passing meeting and his courageous filly Heaps Of Fun will also be suited to the 1 800m trip of the Grade 1 R1 million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, having done it the tough way from the front in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
Abashiri will be attempting to follow in the footsteps of the great Horse Chestnut and the rags-to-riches Louis The King, who are the only two horses to have ever landed the Triple Crown, achieving the feat in 1999 and 2014 respectively.
Heaps Of Fun will be attempting to repeat the feats of Igugu and Cherry On The Top, who landed the Triple Tiara in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Abashiri’s chief opposition will likely come from Champagne Haze, who ran on from way back for second in the Gauteng Guineas. He is a half-brother to “the people’s horse” Pierre Jourdan, who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown in 2010, before finishing second amid feverish Triple Crown atmosphere in the final leg.
The Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up Negroamara will relish the step up in trip to 1 800m of the SA Fillies Classic and along with third-placed Frosty Friday will make it a tough ask for Heaps Of Fun to add the second leg of the Triple Tiara to her career record.
The day will attract many racing purists but will also be full of fun for both families and those who love the great outdoors.There will be an on course beer garden, which is always a popular attraction for sports lovers who can discuss the racing and other sports while imbibing their favourite tipple.
All racecourse patrons are encouraged to arrive in white clothes, in keeping with the dress theme for the day – Light in White on Classic Day. Those who participate and wear white will be in line to win great prizes on the day!
