Frank Robinson caused a 55/1 upset in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson in 2010 with Chocolicious and he has two decent fillies, Under The Stars and Zarnitsa, in this year’s renewal at Scottsville on Saturday.
Under The Stars (Nkosi Hlophe)
Under The Stars, an impressively rangy daughter of Antonius Pius, made an eyecatching debut on March 31 from draw eleven on the Greyville poly over 1000m. She came from off the pace under Muzi Yeni and won going away by 1,75 lengths. She beat Victory Trip by 5,25 lengths in that race and the latter is considered good enough to line up in the Allan Robertson.
In her second start Under The Stars was beaten 8,85 lengths over 1100m at Scottsville by the fancied Allan Robertson contender Neptune’s Rain.
However, Frank Robinson said a line could be drawn through the run, “She jumped very well but it was then declared a false start and she went the furthest of all the horses. That can have an effect on a horse.”
In the re-start Under The Stars did not jump as well and did well under the circumstances to stay on for sixth.
Interestingly, the horse she lost to by a head in that race, Awesomeness, had earlier beaten Zarnitsa by 0,25 lengths over 1000m at Scottsville when both were making their debuts in February.
Frank Robinson (Nkosi Hlophe)
Zarnitsa showed a lot of pace in her debut and was only caught late.
In her fourth career start Zarnitsa slammed a maiden fillies and mares field over 1000m on the Greyville poly by 6,25 lengths and interestingly she beat Tweed Valley by seven lengths, as the latter had earlier finished a close second to Under The Stars.
Robinson believed the more forgiving surface had helped Zarnitsa, so he was hoping for a bit of rain.
However, the weather forecast only predicts a little bit of rain after the races on Saturday.
He said Zarnitsa had been working well and believed she would stay the trip. The Querari filly was not stopping at the line last time out and before that was touched off 0,75 lengths by Allan Robertson contender Light On Her Toes over 1200m on the Greyville turf.
Under The Stars will easily get the 1200m trip and further.
Robinson said it was difficult to say whether either filly was as good as Chocolicious and concluded, “They are up to this class and won’t be disgraced.”
Muzi Yeni is the regular rider of both horses and will be aboard Zarnitsa from draw nine, while Marco van Rensburg rides Under The Stars from draw six.
Meanwhile, Chocolicious’ Allan Robertson victory earned her the privilege of a cover by the living legend Frankel and the resulting foal is up to date impressing the Mike de Kock yard.
By David Thiselton
