Turffontein-based trainer David Nieuwenhuizen has the lowest rated horse in probably the strongest event at Saturday’s Festival Of Speed meeting at Scottsville, but there are some positives that could see his rags-to-riches Malhub filly Virgo’s Babe earn a cheque in the Gr 1 City Of Pietemaritzburg Fillies Sprint over 1200m.

Nieuwenhuizen said that the speedy Michael Leaf-owned four-year-old had needed her last two runs badly and had come on a lot from them. Furthermore, she was caught in the worst going down the middle when finishing a 7,85 length fifth last time out in the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m at Turffonten. She had some good horses behind her that day including City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint contender Sarve and the crack three-year-old sprinter Lazer Star.

Virgo’s Babe has landed a plum draw of one on Saturday, which by trends is on the favourable side of the Scottsville straight. Niewenhuizen said that the other positive was that she is a filly who is helped by the rail. He believed Muzi Yeni would give her a confident ride and he just hoped that she wouldn’t be squeezed out on the rail.

Virgo’s Babe was from a 2010 crop of just three foals produced by the out of favour stallion Malhub. She turns in, an apparent trait of Malhub’s progeny, and went through the ring unsold before originally being leased for just R10,000.

She has caused a massive big race upset before as she won the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery for Nieuwenhuizen by five lengths at odds of 28/1.

She was bought by popular owner Michael Leaf after she had finished downfield in last year’s Gr 1 Computaform Sprint and this decision immediately paid dividends as she won her next two races, including one at Greyville in one of only two runs she has had in KZN.

Nieuwenhuizen has done a fine job of keeping the filly sound, considering her less than perfect legs, and in 23 runs she has had five wins and nine places for earnings of R751,575.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Virgo’s Babe (Nkosi Hlophe)