Cape trainer Mike Bass and KZN’s Paul Lafferty both have chances of Gr 1 glory at Greyville on Saturday and their respective contenders Inara and Run Rhino Run are in fine shape ahead of their runs in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 respectively.
Bass’s assistant Robert Fayd’Herbe is looking after the yard’s Champions Season string at Summerveld and said about the Trippi filly Inara, “She has come on nicely from the KRA Fillies Guineas and has a good draw.”
Inara ran second in the best form race of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, and has 2,5 lengths to find on Majmu from that run. However, her subsequent wins in both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m showed that she had improved.
She didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running in the Paddock Stakes before running on well and holding on late, so she should stay the 2000m trip. On pedigree her dam Trippi was a twice Gr 1 winner over 1400m, but Inara herself is a half-sister to Mountain Master, a middle distance to staying gelding by Jet Master who runs in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m on Saturday. Inara showed a fine turn of foot in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas last time out and weaved her way through, but had no reply to Alexis on her outside and could only stay on for a two length second, which suggested she needed the run.
Fayd’Herbe said Mountain Master had improved from his good effort in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 two weeks ago when running from the front and staying on nicely for a 2,65 length fifth. He reckoned he was looking for this 2400m trip and off a 96 merit rating the yard will be hoping for a big run in order to book his place in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup, although it is not a certainty he will stay that arduous 3200m journey.
Meanwhile, Lafferty recently said about the talented Silvano gelding Run Rhino Run, “He has only been running over his minimum trip (1400-1600m) and all he wants is a bit of ground. Wait until he gets that because he is a really good horse.”
Lafferty’s assistant Roy Waugh was pleased with Run Rhino Run’s gallop over a mile at Greyville last Wednesday in which he was given a lead and “left his companion for dust” in the straight. He had his final serious workout yesterday and did well. Waugh said, “It is just a matter of getting him over from that draw (15). I think they will go in this race and he has a bit of tactical speed (meaning jockey Keagan de Melo will be able to have him handy or drop him out according to how it pans out).
By David Thiselton
Picture: Inara (Liesl King)
