She was impossible to oppose on form and so it proved as champion Igugu (AUS) strolled home in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday. Emerald Cove (SAF) came out second best ahead of Berry Blaze (IRE) and Barberton Daisy (SAF).
Las Ramblas led briefly upon leaving the gates but was soon passed by Igugu with White Mischief moving up into second. Cherry On The Cake raced in fourth ahead of Emerald Cove who enjoyed the rails run. Six Blue Notes was next best ahead of Barberton Daisy and Berry Blaze, the latter once again slowly out of the gates.
Igugu continued to travel comfortably out in front and it was evident even before they reached the home stretch that it was going to take something special to challenge her. The race followed the script in the straight with jockey Anthony Delpech never having to ride her out any stage. Emerald Cove came out and chased hard while Berry Blaze made some late progress but they were in a different race and Igugu was nearly three lengths clear at the line.
The Vodacom Durban July now looms and as impressive as Igugu's performances have been to date, she is going to face a much stiffer task there. However, she has been beating her own age and sex with any amount in hand and there is clearly plenty in the tank. She will be bidding to emulate her erstwhile stablemate Ipi Tombe, who also won this race en route to July glory and as trainer Mike de Kock said after the race, "We still haven't got to the bottom of her as yet."
Emerald Cove ran a fine race in the circumstances. She was never really going to threaten Igugu, especially over this trip, but she was entitled to beat the rest on her Paddock Stakes victory and she may yet get to pick up a win before the winter is out.
Berry Blaze once again came from off the pace and is still making up the age gap on her southern hemisphere-bred rivals. Her best is still to come.
Barberton Daisy ran creditably well in this class and will find easier opportunities than this to land her next win.
3 b f Galileo (IRE) - Zarinia (IRE) by Intikhab (USA)
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and Mr and Mrs A J Macdonald
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, NSW
Winning trainer: Mike De Kock
Race 6 - R500K - WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1)
For 3 year-old Fillies - 2000m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 1 |
IGUGU (AUS) |
Anthony Delpech |
A |
58.0 |
5 |
1 |
0.00 |
122.62 |
1/7 |
1/4 |
| 2 |
EMERALD COVE |
Felix Coetzee |
A |
58.0 |
2 |
2 |
2.75 |
123.14 |
10/1 |
16/1 |
| 3 |
BERRY BLAZE (IRE) |
Kevin Shea |
A |
58.0 |
8 |
3 |
4.25 |
123.42 |
5/1 |
3/1 |
| 4 |
BARBERTON DAISY |
Karl Neisius |
A |
58.0 |
1 |
4 |
4.75 |
123.51 |
25/1 |
50/1 |
| 6 |
LAS RAMBLAS |
Ian Sturgeon |
A |
58.0 |
3 |
5 |
5.00 |
123.56 |
33/1 |
50/1 |
| 5 |
WHITE MISCHIEF |
Glen Hatt |
A |
58.0 |
6 |
6 |
7.25 |
123.99 |
33/1 |
33/1 |
| 7 |
SIX BLUE NOTES |
Andrew Fortune |
A |
58.0 |
7 |
7 |
13.50 |
125.20 |
50/1 |
66/1 |
| 8 |
CHERRY ON THE CAKE |
Raymond Danielson |
A B |
58.0 |
4 |
8 |
15.75 |
125.64 |
100/1 |
125/1 |
|
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