Clafoutis looks cherry-ripe for the Fillies Mile

The Fillies Mile line-up at Turffontein on Saturday is so competitive it will be little surprise whichever one of the nine runners emerges victorious.

No fewer than four of them are bidding for a hat-trick, including Clafoutis who has been imperious in her two wins to date and will be the choice of aficionados of posh pedigree.

This 1600m Grade 3 race for three-year-old fillies at level weights is a key preparation – and qualifier – for the lucrative and breed-defining Classics to come in the next few months.

Durban July-winning jockey Gavin Lerena, who has partnered Clafoutis in her recent runs, knows all about nosing out good horses. He wasn’t slow in clinching this engagement with trainer Mike de Kock.

The daughter of Flower Alley might not have raced in features, as some of her rivals have, but the quality of her performances leaves little doubt she is classy and should do well in the Pattern races.

To get there, though, she must deal with the likes of Follow Me, Eternity Ring, Marigold Hotel, Sprinkles and Wisteria Avenue, all of whom have shown uncommon talent and potential to scale the heights.

Princess Charlene-owned Follow Me was clearly in need of a run when she finished fourth in the 1400m Starling Stakes two weeks ago. That effort would have brought her along fitness-wise and trainer Stuart Pettigrew might now have her back at the level she was when getting the better of Clafoutis in July – her second career victory.

Sean Tarry-trained Marigold Hotel was second in the Starling, more than two lengths ahead of Follow Me, and could confirm that edge if the latter is not fully wound up.

With four wins to her name, Eternity Ring, trained by Barend Botes and Yolandie Vosloo, is the most successful runner and will be in every punter’s reckoning.

This race is a fascinating testing ground for young girls brimming with potential.

SELECTIONS

Turffontein Saturday

1: All first-timers. Follow the betting.

2: 6 Carl Vinson, 1 Lazy Guy, 2 Coming In Hot, 11 Jet Blast

3: 5 Cheringoma, 8 Label Queen, 11 Ubiquitas,

4: 10 Leeson, 13 Quiet Rebellion, 4 Corapi, 12 Stolen Thunder

5: 7 Clafoutis, 2 Follow Me, 3 Eternity Ring, 1 Marigold Hotel

6: 2 Leopold, 4 Ivalo’s Prince, 3 Majestic Mozart, 8 Bold Decision

7: 4 Perfect Witness, 5 Maboneng, 1 Miss Elegance, 2 La Luvia

8: 3 Barak, 2 White Fang, 4 Travelling Wilbury, 7 Rainy Season

9: 1 Freed From Desire, 7 Kotinos, 5 Balouchi, 3 Quantum King

Pick 6: 4,10,12,13 x 1,2,3,5,6,7 x 2,3,4 x 1,4,5 x 2,3,4,7 x 1,7 (R1728)

PA: 5 x 10,13 x 2,7 x 2,4 x 4 x 2,3 x 1 (R16)

Kenilworth Saturday

Best bet: Race 3 No 4 Field Of Vision

Best value: Race 7 No 3 Spring Awakening

Greyville Sunday

Best bet: Race 3 No 8 Lady Yusra

Value bet: Race 8 No 9 Humdinger