Trainer Alan Greeff on Friday reconfirmed his dominance in Port Elizabeth when he scored a 1-2 with American Princess and Rock Aloe in the Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby over 2400m.

It was what could be called a textbook ride by Shadlee Fortune, settling the Master Of My Fate filly behind the early frontrunners and asking her to kick when it mattered. She obliged, and with 200m to go, there was never a doubt that a local contender would take the honours.

Rock Aloe was not humiliated, finishing 1.25lengths behind the winner, with Miss La Dee Da and August Leaves around six lengths adrift.

According to Greeff it is the first time since 1997 that a filly has won the East Cape Derby.

Much was said about Western Cape raider August Leaves, but jockey Wayne Agrella’s strategy to cover the rear for most of the race, didn’t quite work out as planned and trainer Justin Snaith’s runner didn’t have the legs to make up lost ground.

The Listed Dahlia Plate over 1200m ended up being a “what if…” race, after Tarantino somehow got left behind in the starting stalls.

By the time Snaith’s raider realised the race was on, he had more than six lengths to make up.

This paved the way for TAB and local favourite Global Drummer under Stallone Naidoo to record an emphatic third victory over the Fairview Turf Track in as many attempts, despite carrying top weight of 60kg.

“He’s a big boy. He can carry 60,” said Naidoo after the race. “Today he showed his class.

“He somehow gives me the feeling that the penny hasn’t quite dropped yet, so I expect that there’s plenty more to come from him.”

Credit must go to Tarantino and jockey Keanen Steyn for never throwing in the towel. The pair managed to hunt down the pack one by one, eventually crossing the line in second position, 2.75 lengths behind the winner.

But the sad reality, is that nobody will ever know what could have happened, if Tarantino had jumped.

The disappointment of the day was Race 8, the World Sports Betting Live Local And International Streaming Online Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m.

While all the hype before the race was about the legendary Legal Eagle and National Park, who famously beat Hawwaam in the Gauteng Guineas last year, the pair finished right at the back of the field.

While National Park’s performance can be excused due to the fact that he hasn’t been on a track in more than one year, the big question is if Legal Eagle has another win in him. After that performance, expect the chorus calling for his retirement to reach a crescendo.

The race was won by the Greeff-trained American Landing.

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