Most punters were caught unawares when the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Joan Ranger won the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m on Champions Day at Turffontein at odds of 20/1 and she is unlikely to start that long at Saturday’s festival Of Speed despite meeting a much stronger field in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint over 1200m.
Those who had followed her closely would likely have been licking their lips at the price on Champions Day before helping themselves to an each-way opportunity which had slipped through the net.
Joan Ranger (Nkosi Hlophe)
Houdalakis summed it up yesterday by saying, “The bend is not for her.”
This is despite her being by Triple Crown hero Horse Chestnut out of Rambo Dancer mare Fashion Edition who won six times from 1300m to 1800m.
Joan Ranger won her maiden over 1400m and had been tried in four Gr 3 races from 1400-1600m. The fact she earned three close up thirds in the latter events proved her class as she had shown a lot of pace in all of them. When dropped in trip to 1200m at Scottsville, she duly romped home. The form of that event now looks good too, as she beat Elusiveenchantment by 2,25 lengths and the latter has won both of her subsequent course and distance starts.
Joan Ranger was tried over 1400m again subsequent to the Scottsville race in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at Greyville and once again her pace was her undoing. She fought for her head after the jockey had attempted to settle her in second place behind the leader. Yet, she still managed to stay on for a 1,25 length third.
Carry On Alice (Nkosi Hlophe)
She was crying out for another sprint trip and duly, after being able to use her lengthy stride the whole way, admittedly from a favourable high draw, she found a strong finish in the Camellia Stakes and won cosily by 1,25 lengths.
She will arrive at Scottsville on the morning of the race, having travelled from her Vaal home base.
Houdalakis concluded, “The owner is the breeder, so it’s all about black type.”
Carry On Alice looks impossible to oppose in Saturday’s race.
However, Joan Ranger looks to have the class to defy her 102 merit rating and earn a place.
She is officially the second worst handicapped horse in the twelve horse field, but it should be borne in mind that since her debut she has only been given two opportunities to run in sprints and she has won both of them comfortably.
She is drawn eight and will be ridden by Brandon Lerena.
By David Thiselton
