Negev ideally placed to notch up her second win

After running a three-length second behind Extra Zing on debut, Louis Goosen’s charge ran out a very easy winner of her next start, beating Conservationist by 3.25 lengths. The aim was to get her into the R2.5-million Emperors Place Ready To Run Cup over 1400m at Turffontein. Despite being drawn No 11 in a field of 15, Negev ran on well to run a head second behind Rock Of Arts.

One month later she finished a three-length second to Cherry On The Top in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile over 1600m at Turffontein and a second win did not look far off. However, she continued to run in some of the top fillies’ races, including the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic.

She finished unplaced in both and after a short rest Goosen took the daughter of Stronghold to KwaZulu-Natal for the season. She ran in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1450m at Clairwood and was not disgraced when finishing 3.20 lengths behind Louvre. She took on the colts in the KZN Breeders Million over 1600m, also at Clairwood, and ran 4.40 lengths behind Gitiano.

Goosen brought her back to 1200m and despite incurring a mouth injury, flew up late to run a 1.35-length fourth behind Jackadore. She was strongly fancied to win her last start – in a FM 94 Handicap over 1400m at Greyville on Gold Cup day – but she got bumped shortly after the start and could only manage a 3.80-lengths fifth behind Reflective Image.

Negev gets the ideal chance to notch up that second victory and at the same time restore her confidence when she lines up in a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m on the Vaal turf today. She is the best weighted runner and is at least 1.5kg better off with any of her opposition. In addition, she once again teams up with champion jockey Piere Strydom, under whom she has had her best runs.

The biggest threat could come from Tzigane, trained by Barend Botes. She is 5kg out with Negev but her recent form has been consistent and she has S’manga Khumalo aboard.

Phenomenal will be ridden by Richard Fourie and will be a contender if she can prove she stays 1200m.