The only Gr1 winner in the field, Equus Champion 2yo fily of last term Rain In Holland was produced with immaculate timing by Cape jockey Richard Fourie to upstage the red hot favourite Desert Miracle.
The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade impressed when winning the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Tuesday evening.
Going off at 3-10, Desert Miracle was the hot pick in the first leg of the SA Triple Tiara, despite running off a nine week break following her shock defeat in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas down at Kenilworth.
But she looked in fine fettle and clearly fresh and loaded with enthusiasm, she stalked stablemate Clafoutis around the turn and hit the front a long way from home.
Despite looking to be full of running, she had no answers for the Sean Tarry star who was registering her first victory as a 3yo.
Rain In Holland (5-1) clocked 99,74 secs and beat Sprinkles (20-1) by 2,50 lengths with the 1-3 Desert Miracle fading late to be beaten a head back in third.
The high riding Richard Fourie registered a personal double on the evening and said his instructions were simple – Trainer Sean Tarry said place her wherever she was happy.
“Contrary to my expectations, she was on the bridle and the pace wasn’t really on. As we came off the false rail I followed the best horse and I thought I was racing for second or third. But 200m from home I asked for an effort and Rain In Holland delivered,” explained the modest Fourie.
“She has upped her performance a gear today. We were always respectful of the favourite but as an Equus champ and the only Gr1 winner in the line-up, she had to have a shout,” added Sean Tarry, who always seems to pull the big one out of the hat.
Raced and bred by Drakenstein Stud, Rain In Holland has won 6 races with 4 places from 10 starts for stakes of R967 250.
A daughter of deceased Danehill sire Duke Of Marmalade, she is out of the Aqlaam mare Imvula, a half sister to Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter. The mare was purchased in the UK, where she won once from two starts.
A bonus of R1 million will be paid to the connections of the filly that wins all three legs of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara
The next leg is the R1 250 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 5 March.
The final leg is the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks to be run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 April.
Sean Tarry and the Drakenstein team have plenty to look forward to!
Original article by Sporting Post
Image: JC Photos