Moonlight in the spotlight

The Grade 3 Final Fling Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth today is theoretically aimed at fillies and mares who will be retiring to stud at the end of the season on 31 July.

However, that is not always the case as can be attested to by last year’s winner Cat And The Moon who is coming back for a second final fling.

It may well have been the intention to retire the daughter of Black Minnaloushe as she has only raced three times since winning last year’s race and the form has been moderate. In her last two starts she pulled up distressed so it is probably better to ignore her chances and look elsewhere for the winner.

This year it could turn out to be a match between trainers Mike Bass and Justin Snaith with the wily Bass having the edge with Moonlight ‘N Roses and Sublime Lady in his camp.

Based on her last run in the Listed Ladies Mile in which she finished a two-length second behind highly regarded Chevauchee at level weights, Moonlight ‘N Roses could be the right one. The only concern is the distance. This daughter of Captain Al has not raced over 1800m but she was staying on well last time over 1600m so she should manage the extra 200m.

In her penultimate race, which was also over 1600m, she was running on strongly, further indication she should see it out.

Aldo Domeyer takes the ride.

On that last run Moonlight ‘N Roses holds Snaith’s other runner, Acrostar. She ran 3.30 lengths behind Chevauchee and is only 0.5kg better off.

However, while she has placed over 1800m, the beautifully bred daughter of Danehill Dancer has not won over further than 1600m. Richard Fourie takes the ride.

Bass stable jockey Grant van Niekerk has the ride aboard Sublime Lady who is relatively lightly raced. She has the benefit of No 1 draw and looks to be improving with each run.

Others to consider are Petty Officer and Fear Not, who has raced against some of the best fillies around but will have to overcome No 15 draw.

The Pick 6 starts with Race 3 at 2.15pm with a carryover of R100,000 and a likely pool of R900,000.