Orator’s Daughter a cut above her rivals

Orator’s Daughter runs in the Off To Stud Handicap over 1600m and despite top weight of 62kg to carry, the Australian-bred filly looks far better than her opposition.  She has been quite lightly raced and has only made nine visits to the racecourse. In that period she has established a record of five wins and three places, her only unplaced performance coming in her last start when she contested a Conditions Plate over 1400m on the Turffontein standside track.

These days 1400m is a little on the sharp side and she failed to get into the race, eventually finishing a 5.75-length eighth behind Featherfoot, to whom she was conceding 6kg.

Prior to that Orator’s Daughter had fought out a finish with Cherry On The Top and Espumanti in the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2000m, also at Turffontein, and faded late to finish third, after trying to make most of the pace. That was probably a touch too far but the 1600m of this Off To Stud Handicap should be right up her alley.

The one concern is that the Alec Laird-trained filly has not yet raced at Scottsville and that has been the undoing of many a runner. However, she will have experienced Anton Marcus to guide her around the racetrack. It is worth noting she will be wearing blinkers for the first time.

The balance of the field does not look that strong but best of the rest could be Luna De Victoria from the Brett Crawford yard and Yogas Govender-trained Gold Academy.

The Queen Palm Handicap is over 2400m and the one concern is many of the runners have not raced over the distance.  The best runner in this line-up looks to be Omaticaya from the Glen Kotzen yard as her last two starts were very decent. In her penultimate outing the three-year-old filly ran in the revamped KZN Oaks over 2500m and finished a 3.25-length fifth behind Dylan’s Promise.

In her last start Omaticaya took on the boys and ran seventh to Master Sabina in the Grade 3 consolation race over 2200m.

She is by Silvano so there is staying blood in her line and will be ridden by Stuart Randolph.

However, there are a lot of unknowns in this event and runners like Rodeo Sioux, Star Jet and Captain’s Daughter all have lively chances.