The South African bred Beach Bomb missed the big headlines but got a mention in the columns in the US press after an eye catching second in a minor feature at Monmouth Park yesterday.

The dual Grade 1 winning filly was beaten by the deep into the red odds on shot, Maman Joon, a horse that once ran in the Epsom Oaks in England. That Irish bred had produced a Beyer figure high of 92 in her penultimate start and was all the rage in this contest. That sort of figure is a feature race type of figure in the United States.

She finishing 4th in the Oaks to Soul Sister as a maiden and only broke her maiden in the United States after her export.

To run second to her is no mean feat after the travel and quarantine for Beach Bomb who herself hasn't raced since February and over a distance possibly too short for her now.

She was passed easily by Maman Joon but still kept on for a good second.

In all a great effort for the Graham Motion trained filly and a sigh of relief for South African form lovers doubting local form. There is so little of that on the international scene for South African horses as very few have been exported.

This also represents the first runner to take part out of the March American shipment - a landmark day for South African exports. 

She is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup after winning the Paddock Stakes.