The Paul Lafferty-trained Garibondy has landed a plum low draw for the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint over 1200m on Saturday and is “very, very well” at present. And the yard are pleased to have landed Championship chasing Gavin Lerena for the ride.

The speedy four-year-old Var filly raced without cover for much of the way in her last start in the Listed In Full Flight Stakes over 1100m, so did well as the only female in the field to finish 4,1 lengths back in fourth. She much prefers to be tucked in before using the kick, that daughters of Var are known for, to its maximum effect in the latter stages.

She had her final grass gallop at Summerveld on Friday on her own and Lafferty said she had put up very good work. All six of her wins have been over 1000m, but five of them have been at Scottsville, and considering her turn of foot she should get Saturday’s 1200m trip.

Alboran Sea and Carry On Alice look to be the two best sprinters in the land and the rest of the field might be chasing their shadows. However, the former drew a high starting berth, as did another Gr 1 winner in the field Fly By Night, and it will be interesting to see whether they defect to the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint where they also hold entries.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Garibondy (Nkosi Hlophe)